README.md

User Interaction Application

This application facilitates group interactions and discussions among users in real-time. Users can create accounts, join groups, send messages, and manage group activities seamlessly. It mainly helps to focus on Human computer interactions.

Functional Requirements

• User Authentication: Users can create accounts and log in securely.
• Group Creation: Users can create groups for discussions.
• Group Management: Group owners can add participants to the group.
• Mail Notifications: Users receive email notifications upon group invitation and for priority messages.
• Priority Messages: Users can send priority messages within groups.
• Tagging Messages: Users can create and assign tags to messages for better organization.
• Activity Tracking: The application tracks the number of messages sent by each user within the group graphically.
• Tag Statistics: It displays the maximum tags used in a group graphically.
• Activity Timeline: Graphical representation of group activity based on total messages sent per day.

Non-Functional Requirements

• Security: Robust authentication and data encryption to ensure user data safety.
• Scalability: The application should handle a growing number of users and messages efficiently.
• Performance: Fast message delivery and response times for an improved user experience.
• Reliability: Minimal downtime and error handling mechanisms in place.
• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive UI for easy navigation and interaction.

Future Implementations

• Integration: Integrate with third-party services for additional functionalities like file sharing or video calls.

Tech Stack Details

• Frontend: React.js
• Backend: Node.js with Express.js
• Database: MongoDB
• Authentication: JSON Web Tokens (JWT)
• Email Notifications: Nodemailer
• Data Visualization: Chart.js

Run Locally

Clone the project

Go to the project directory

  cd chat-app

Install dependencies

  npm install

  cd frontend/
  npm install
  add env file 

Start the server

  npm run start

Start the Client

  //open now terminal
  cd frontend
  npm start

Run Docker

configure .env for frontend REACT_APP_API_URL=(assign the backend server url to this variable)

configure .env for backend

MONGO_URI=(add gmail id) JWT_SECRET=secret SENDER_MAIL=(add gmail id) SENDER_PASSWORD=(add app password of your gmail account) API_URL=(assign the frontend server url to this variable)

Build (only for first time) Run this command from root of this project

docker-compose up --build

Run

docker-compse up