Stack overflow clone using MERN stack

Table of contents

• General info
• Technologies
• Setup
• API Endpoints

General info

• Developed a feature-rich Q&A platform similar to Stack Overflow using the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js)
• Developed a responsive platform accross all devices including mobiles & tablets.
• Implemented secure user authentication and authorization with sign-up, login, password management, and JWT-based tokens.
• Enabled extensive user interaction with question asking, editing, deletion, voting, answering, and profile management.
• Integrated Stripe for secure payment processing for different subscription.
• Integrated an AI chatbot for interactive learning and engagement, with email verification for secure access.
• Enhanced user experience with dynamic theme personalization (day/night mode, auto-theme based on time/weather).
• Leveraged Node.js, Express.js, Bcrypt.js, and other technologies for a robust and scalable backend foundation.
• Employed Redux Toolkit for efficient state management and data flow.
• Incorporated Axios for simplified API communication.

Technologies

• MERN stack
• React JS
• Redux Toolkit, React Router,Axios.
• Node JS., Express JS.
• Bcrypt js, Json Web Token (JWT).
• Stripe Payment.
• Geolocation , weather api , Open AI

Setup

1. Set up environment variables:

   • Create a .env file in the client directory.

   • Add the following variables to the .env file, replacing the placeholder values with your actual credentials:

     REACT_APP_SHARE_URL="Your Website URL" (optional, default value "http://localhost:3000")
     REACT_APP_URL="your backend URL" (default value "http://localhost:4000")
     REACT_APP_API_KEY="Open weather API key"
     REACT_APP_STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY="Your stripe publishable key"
     

   • Create a .env file in the server directory.

   • Add the following variables to the .env file, replacing the placeholder values with your actual credentials:

     PORT="port number on which you want to run" (default value "4000")
     MONGODB_URI="your_mongo_uri"
     JWT_SECRET="your_secret_key"
     SMTP_HOST="smtp.gmail.com"
     SMTP_PORT=587
     SMTP_MAIL="your email"
     SMTP_PASSWORD= "your email app key"
     OPEN_AI_KEY= "your open AI key"
     STRIPE_SECRET_KEY="your Stripe secret Key"
     

2. Install dependencies and run server:

Frontend

 cd ../client
 npm install
 npm start

Backend

cd ../server
npm install
npm start

API Endpoints

API Endpoints

Endpoint	Description	Method	Request Body	Response Format (Example)	Authentication
/	Welcome message	GET	None	JSON (message: string)	None
/user/signup	User signup	POST	{ name: string, email: string, password: string }	JSON (user details and authentication token)	None
/user/login	User login	POST	{ email: string, password: string }	JSON (user details and authentication token)	None
/user/getAllUsers	Get all users	GET	None	JSON (array of user objects)	Required
/user/update	Update user profile	PATCH	{ name?: string, about?: string, tags?: string[], password?: string }	JSON (updated user details)	Required
/user/delete	Delete user profile	DELETE	None	JSON (message: string)	Required
/questions	Get all questions	GET	None	JSON (array of question objects)	None
/questions	Post a question	POST	{ questionTitle: string, questionBody: string, questionTags: string[] }	JSON (posted question object)	Required
/questions/:id	Delete a question	DELETE	None	JSON (message: string)	Required
/questions/vote/:id	Vote (upvote/downvote) on a question	PATCH	{ value: 'upVote' or 'downVote' }	JSON (updated question object)	Required
/answers/post/:id	Post an answer to a question	PATCH	{ answerBody: string, userAnswered: string, userId: string, noOfAnswers: number }	JSON (updated question object)	Required
/answers/delete/:id	Delete an answer to a question	PATCH	{ answerId: string, noOfAnswers: number }	JSON (message: string)	Required
/subscription	Make payment for subscription	POST	{ priceId: string, plan: string }	JSON (payment session details)	Required
/subscription/cancel	Cancel subscription	PATCH	None	JSON (updated user details)	Required
/subscription/:sessionId	Update subscription plan after payment success	PATCH	None	JSON (updated user details)	None
/chatai/ask	Ask question to AI	POST	{ question: string }	JSON (response from AI)	Email Verification
/chatai/sendotp	Send OTP for email verification	POST	{ email: string }	JSON (message: string)	None
/chatai/verifyotp	Verify OTP for email verification	POST	{ email: string, otp: string }	JSON (authentication token)	None

Note : For endpoints marked with "Email Verification", the email field is required in the request body.

** For payment you can use this dummy stripe card number:- 4000003560000008