FullStack Blog App with Admin Dashboard
Sunday, April 28, 2024
1. Project Purpose and Goal
The purpose and goal of my Fullstack blog platform are all about making it super easy and enjoyable for people to create, manage, and share their content online. I've combined MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js to create a powerful toolkit for modern web publishing.
Basically, I want users to be able to create all kinds of awesome content, whether it's articles, stories, or just sharing thoughts and ideas. And once they've got their content out there, I want to give them the tools they need to manage it effectively, like being able to delete outdated posts or manage user accounts.
2. Web Stack and Explanation
I went with MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js because they're like the dream team of web development.
So, Node.js kicks things off with its ability to run JavaScript on the server side, which makes everything smoother and more efficient. Then, Express.js jumps in to help build APIs and handle all those web requests like a pro.
Next up, we've got React. It's like the wizard of user interfaces, making it super easy to create interactive and dynamic elements on the web. And since it's component-based, it's like building with LEGO blocks – you can mix and match to create exactly what you need.
Last but not least, MongoDB joins the squad as our database hero. It's a NoSQL database, which means it's perfect for storing all our blog posts, user data, and comments in a way that's flexible and scalable.
3. Problems and Thought Process
One hurdle I encountered was ensuring a smooth user experience across different devices. Making the platform mobile-friendly was crucial, but it required careful attention to detail.
I had to think about things like responsive design, ensuring that the layout adapted seamlessly to different screen sizes. Plus, I needed to make sure that all the interactive elements were easy to use on smaller screens without sacrificing functionality.
To tackle this, I spent a lot of time testing the platform on various devices and tweaking the layout and functionality as needed. It was a bit of a juggling act, balancing design aesthetics with usability, but in the end, I think it paid off. Now, whether you're browsing on your laptop, phone, or tablet, the experience is smooth.
4. Lessons Learned
Oh, there were plenty! I stumbled upon React Router DOM while looking into ways to handle navigation in my React app. It seemed like the perfect fit, so I started diving into tutorials and documentation to learn more. As for Redux Toolkit, well, that came along when I was exploring state management options for my project. I kept hearing about Redux Toolkit and how it made working with Redux a breeze, so I decided to give it a shot. The way it simplified complex Redux workflows was a game-changer for me.