Lego Collection Web Application

This web application is a platform for Lego enthusiasts to explore and manage their Lego set collections. It utilizes a combination of MongoDB and PostgreSQL to manage user data and Lego set information, respectively, ensuring a robust and scalable data management system.

Skills Developed

Technical Skills

• Full-Stack Development: Gained experience in handling both front-end and back-end aspects of web development.
• Database Management: Learned to integrate and manage complex databases using MongoDB for user data and PostgreSQL for Lego set data.
• Authentication and Security: Implemented user authentication and security features using bcrypt.js and client-sessions.
• Web Frameworks: Enhanced skills in using Node.js and Express.js for server-side development and EJS for templating.

Soft Skills

• Problem-Solving: Tackled challenges in integrating multiple technologies and ensuring smooth data flow.
• Project Management: Gained experience in managing a full-scale project from conception to deployment.
• Attention to Detail: Ensured a consistent and error-free user experience across different pages and functionalities.

Experience Gained

• Database Integration: Learned to connect and use multiple databases (MongoDB and PostgreSQL) in a single application, understanding the strengths and use-cases for each.
• User Authentication: Developed a secure user authentication system, gaining insights into security best practices.
• Responsive Web Design: Enhanced my skills in creating a responsive and user-friendly interface using Tailwind CSS.
• Debugging and Testing: Acquired experience in troubleshooting and testing web applications to ensure reliability and performance.
• Version Control and Documentation: Improved proficiency in using Git for version control and creating comprehensive documentation to guide future users and contributors.

Technologies Used

• Backend: Node.js, Express.js
• Frontend: EJS (Embedded JavaScript templates)
• Database: MongoDB (for user data), PostgreSQL (for Lego sets data)
• Authentication: bcrypt.js (for password hashing), client-sessions (for session management)
• Other Libraries: Mongoose (MongoDB object modeling), Sequelize (PostgreSQL ORM), dotenv (environment variables management)

File Structure

• data/ - Contains JSON data for the application
• modules/ - Contains JavaScript modules for authentication and Lego sets
• public/ - Contains static files for the application
• server.js - The main server file
• tailwind.config.js - Configuration file for Tailwind CSS

Installation and Setup

1. Clone the Repository: Clone the project to your local machine.
2. Install Dependencies: Run npm install to install the required Node.js packages.
3. Set Environment Variables: Configure environment variables for database connections and other sensitive data.
4. Database Setup: Set up MongoDB and PostgreSQL databases as per the schemas defined in the project.
5. Start the Server: Run node server.js to start the application.

Usage

Once the application is running, navigate to http://localhost:8080 (or the configured port) in your web browser. You can create an account, log in, and start exploring and managing your Lego set collections.

Contributing

If you have improvements or bug fixes, feel free to fork the repository and submit a pull request.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.