WebChat - MERN Stack Chatting Web Application

Welcome to the WebChat project! This is a real-time chatting web application built using the MERN (MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js) stack. The app allows users to create accounts, join chat rooms, and engage in real-time conversations with other users. The application is hosted on Render for easy access and deployment.

Project Files

• public: This directory contains the front-end code of the application built using React.
• server: This directory contains the back-end code of the application built using Node.js and Express.
• README.md: The documentation file you are currently reading.

Deployment

The ChatWebApp is hosted on Render. You can access the application by visiting [(https://webchat-by-kishan.onrender.com/)].

Features

• User Authentication: Users can create accounts, log in, and log out. User passwords are securely hashed before being stored in the database.

• Real-Time Messaging: Users can join different chat rooms and send messages in real-time. Messages are instantly displayed to all participants in the same chat room.

• Responsive Design: The user interface is designed to work seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices.

Technologies Used

• MongoDB: The application uses MongoDB as the database to store user information, chat rooms, and messages.

• Express: Express.js is used to build the server-side application, handle API requests, and manage routes.

• React: The front-end is built using React, providing a dynamic and interactive user interface.

• Node.js: Node.js is used to run the server and handle server-side logic.

• Socket.IO: Socket.IO enables real-time, bidirectional communication between clients and the server, making instant messaging possible.

Local Development

If you want to set up the project locally for development purposes, follow these steps:

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/kishankool/webchat.git
2. Install dependencies for both the client and server:
   • For the client, navigate to the public directory and run npm install.
   • For the server, navigate to the server directory and run npm install.
3. Set up environment variables:
   • In the server directory, create a .env file and set the required environment variables, such as your MongoDB connection string and other configuration settings.
4. Run the development server:
   • In the public directory, run npm start to start the React development server.
   • In the server directory, run npm start to start the Node.js server.
5. Access the application in your browser at http://localhost:3000.

Contributing

If you'd like to contribute to the development of WebChat, feel free to fork this repository, make your changes, and submit a pull request.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.