Code Companion Server

Backend Server for Code Companion application built with NodeJS and Express.

Prerequisites

• NodeJS (>=14.0.0)
• npm

Installation

To install, simply execute the following command at the root of the repository

npm i

Database setup

Create a .env file at the root of the repository, with your database credentials. 3 variables are required

• DB_HOST
• DB_USER
• DB_PASSWORD

Build and Run

There are various modes to run the server

For development purpose

npm run start:nodemon

For production

npm run start:prod

Build only

The output of the build will be under ./dist directory. Following command can be used to build the project.

npm run build

Summary

A web based code collaboration application that lets you create a code room, invite collaborators via a link and collaborate while coding in real time.

DO list

• Optimize frontend
• Display all names on the web page which belong to that roomId

Use Cases

• Coding Interviews
• Collaborative text editing/script writing
• Discussing programming related topics

Features

1. Instantly create a code room without login
2. Invite others to discuss coding related topics
3. Code syntax highlight

System Design

DB Schema

interface IRoom {
    roomId: string,
    owner: string,
    dateCreated: Date,
    participants: string[],
    programmingLanguage: string
}

Sequence Diagram

User creating a code room

sequenceDiagram

actor u as User
participant fe as Frontend
participant be as Backend + WS server
participant db as Database


u ->> fe: Enter name {name} 
u ->> fe: Click Create Room button
fe ->> be: GET /api/room/create {name}
be ->> db: Save { roomId, dateCreated, participants }
be -->> fe: Response { roomId }
fe ->> u: Redirect to Code Room page /{roomid}
Note right of fe: ON MOUNT: get room details
fe -->> be: GET room/{roomId}
be -->> db: Get room details
db -->> be: <room object>
be -->> fe: <room object>
Note left of fe: Render roomId, dateCreated, participants on Code Room page
fe ->> fe: Create a WebSocket Client {/roomid}

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Guest entering a code room

sequenceDiagram

actor u as Guest
participant fe as Frontend
participant be as Backend + WS server
participant db as Database


u ->> fe: Enter {roomid or room link}
u ->> fe: Click Join Room button
fe -->> be: GET room/{roomId}
alt room does not exist
    be -->> fe: room not found 404
else
    be -->> fe: <room object>
end
fe ->> u: Prompt guest name
u ->> fe: Enter {name}
u ->> fe: Click Join Room button
fe ->> u: Redirect to Code Room page /{roomid}
Note right of fe: ON MOUNT: get room details
fe -->> be: GET room/{roomId}
be -->> db: Get room details
db -->> be: <room object>
be -->> fe: <room object>
Note left of fe: Render roomId, dateCreated, participants on Code Room page
fe ->> fe: Create a WebSocket Client {/roomid}

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