Setting-up Instructions

Project has been already deployed using vercel and Render. Use link to access

https://project-frontend-tawny.vercel.app/

Project Description

StudyNotion is a fully functional ed-tech platform that enables users to create, consume, and rate educational content. The platform is built using the MERN stack, which includes ReactJS, NodeJS, MongoDB, and ExpressJS.

System Architecture

The StudyNotion ed-tech platform consists of three main components: the front end, the back end, and the database. The platform follows a client-server architecture, with the front end serving as the client and the back end and database serving as the server.

Front-end

The front end of the platform is built using ReactJS, which is a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. ReactJS allows for the creation of dynamic and responsive user interfaces, which are critical for providing an engaging learning experience to the students. The front end communicates with the back end using RESTful API calls.

Back-end

The back end of the platform is built using NodeJS and ExpressJS, which are popular frameworks for building scalable and robust server-side applications. The back end provides APIs for the front end to consume, which include functionalities such as user authentication, course creation, and course consumption. The back end also handles the logic for processing and storing the course content and user data.

Database

The database for the platform is built using MongoDB, which is a NoSQL database that provides a flexible and scalable data storage solution. MongoDB allows for the storage of unstructured and semi-structured data, which is useful for storing course content such as videos, images, and PDFs. The database stores the course content, user data, and other relevant information related to the platform.

Data Models and Database Schema:

The back end of StudyNotion uses a range of data models and database schemas to manage data, including:

• Student schema: Includes fields such as name, email, password, and course details for each student.

• Instructor schema: Includes fields such as name, email, password, and course details for each instructor.

• Course schema: Includes fields such as course name, description, instructor details, and media content.

Overall, the back-end of StudyNotion is designed to provide a robust and scalable solution for an ed-tech platform, with a focus on security, reliability, and ease of use. By using the right frameworks, libraries, and tools, we can ensure that the platform functions smoothly and provides an optimal user experience for all its users.

Front-end

For Students:

• Homepage: This page will have a brief introduction to the platform, as well as links to the course list and user details.

• Course List: This page will have a list of all the courses available on the platform, along with their descriptions and ratings.

• Cart Checkout: This page will allow the user to complete the course purchase.

• Course Content: This page will have the course content for a particular course, including videos, and other related material.

• User Details: This page will have details about the student's account, including their name, email, and other relevant information.

• User Edit Details: This page will allow the student to edit their account details.

For Instructors:

• Dashboard: This page will have an overview of the instructor's courses, as well as the ratings and feedback for each course.

• Insights: This page will have detailed insights into the instructor's courses, including the number of views, clicks, and other relevant metrics.

• Course Management Pages: These pages will allow the instructor to create, update, and delete courses, as well as manage the course content and pricing.

• View and Edit Profile Details: These pages will allow the instructor to view and edit their account details.

Back-end

Description of the Back-end Architecture:

• StudyNotion uses a monolithic architecture, with the backend built using Node.js and Express.js, and MongoDB as the primary database.

• Monolithic architecture refers to a design approach where all the modules of the application are combined into a single large program, with a single codebase, to enable better control, security, and performance.

• Node.js is a popular JavaScript runtime that allows us to run JavaScript code outside of the browser.

• Express.js is a web application framework that simplifies the process of building web applications in Node.js.

• MongoDB is a popular NoSQL database that allows for flexible data storage and retrieval, making it a suitable choice for complex applications like StudyNotion.

Features and Functionalities of the Back-end:

The back end of StudyNotion provides a range of features and functionalities, including:

• User authentication and authorization: Students and instructors can sign up and log in to the platform using their email addresses and password.

• The platform also supports OTP (One-Time Password) verification and forgot password functionality for added security.

• Kindly check your Spam Box for emails.

• Course management: Instructors can create, read, update, and delete courses, as well as manage course content and media. Students can view and rate courses.

• Payment Integration: Students will purchase and enrol on courses by completing the checkout flow that is followed by Razorpay integration for payment handling.

• Cloud-based media management: StudyNotion uses Cloudinary, a cloud-based media management service, to store and manage all media content, including images, videos, and documents.

• Markdown formatting: Course content in document format is stored in Markdown format, which allows for easier display and rendering on the front end.

Frameworks, Libraries, and Tools used:

• The back end of StudyNotion uses a range of frameworks, libraries, and tools to ensure its functionality and performance, including:

• Node.js: Node.js is used as the primary framework for the back end.

• MongoDB: MongoDB is used as the primary database, providing a flexible and scalable data storage solution.

• Express.js: Express.js is used as a web application framework, providing a range of features and tools for building web applications.

• JWT: JWT (JSON Web Tokens) are used for authentication and authorization, providing a secure and reliable way to manage user credentials.

• Bcrypt: Bcrypt is used for password hashing, adding an extra layer of security to user data.

• Mongoose: Mongoose is used as an Object Data Modeling (ODM) library, providing a way to interact with MongoDB using JavaScript.

Deployment:

• The deployment process for the StudyNotion ed-tech platform will involve hosting the application on various cloud-based services.

• The front end will be deployed using Vercel, a popular hosting service for static sites built with React.

• The back-end will be hosted on Render, cloud-based hosting services for applications built with Node.js and MongoDB.

• Media files will be hosted on Cloudinary, a cloud-based media management platform, and the database will be hosted on MongoDB Atlas, a fully managed cloud database service.

• The hosting environment and infrastructure for the StudyNotion platform will ensure scalability, security, and reliability.

• Vercel provides a fast and scalable hosting environment for the front end, while Render or Railway provide a scalable and reliable infrastructure for the back end.

• Cloudinary provides reliable storage for media files with features like automatic image optimization and transformation, while MongoDB Atlas provides a highly available and secure database environment with features like automatic scaling and disaster recovery.

NOTE:

I completed an e-commerce website as a project for SDSLabs recruitment. While the project may seem like a straightforward task, I want to emphasize the invaluable learning experience it provided me.
I built this website with the assistance of online tutorials , but it was far from a walk in the park.
Throughout the development process, I encountered numerous challenges and faced several bugs that tested my problem-solving abilities.
These issues ranged from simple CSS styling problems to more complex database integration hiccups. I found myself spending countless hours debugging and researching solutions. The process was at times frustrating, but it was also incredibly rewarding.
Here's what I learned:

1. Hands-On Experience: This project gave me hands-on experience in web development. I was able to put into practice the theoretical knowledge I've gained in our college courses.
2. Problem-Solving Skills: Debugging the website's issues forced me to sharpen my problem-solving skills. I learned how to approach problems systematically and use online resources effectively.
3. Real-world Application: The project allowed me to apply what I've learned in a real-world context. It's one thing to follow a tutorial step-by-step, but it's an entirely different experience to adapt and troubleshoot when things don't go as planned.
4. Persistence and Patience: Debugging can be a test of patience, but it taught me to persevere and not give up easily. It's amazing how satisfying it is to finally resolve a stubborn bug after hours of effort.
   I believe that these practical lessons are just as important, if not more so, than theoretical knowledge. They have not only deepened my understanding of web development but have also given me the confidence to tackle more complex projects in the future