overview
“DevConnector” is a social media application for developers. Although the idea is simply for practice purposes only, it did require implementing all REST API requests. It resembels a blog where a developer can create their own account, browse through their home feed which contains recent posts, write their own post, share, and comment on other user’s posts and respond to their own.
TECHNOLOGIES USED
The Process
I began by implementing the back end using Node and Express as well as Postman to test my API requests. I also setup my database using MongoDB and connected it to my app. Once I was able to create an account, post, and comments, I began to implement the front end with React. I did use Redux to simplify state which was challenging but in the end it helped keep track of all user’s and their data such as comments and the number of likes on a comment. I relied on React and Redux browser tools to do testing and debug whenever I came across any errors. Although the UI is not as pixel perfect as I would’ve liked, I reached my goal of implementing the application’s functionality correcting following full stack development tools.
CHallenges
The greatest challenge for me while implementing this application was developing the back end. I have had more experience in the design and front end development of previous projects and therefore have a better grasp of how to resolve front end issues however, REST APIs was something that I struggled with but luckly had enough practice and requests to write that by the end I understood the process a lot better than when I started.