SparkUp

SparkUp is a feature-rich professional networking platform designed for seamless and meaningful connections between developers, professionals, and industry experts. It enables users to browse profiles, send friend requests, and engage in real-time conversations, fostering collaborations, mentorship, and partnerships.

🔧 Tech Stack & Infrastructure

• Frontend: Built using React.js with Material-UI (MUI) for an elegant and responsive design.
• Backend: Powered by Node.js and Express.js, ensuring high performance and scalability.
• Database: Uses MongoDB with indexing for optimized query performance.
• Authentication: Secure JWT-based authentication with token expiration and refresh mechanisms.
• Hosting & Deployment: Hosted on an AWS EC2 instance, optimized with PM2 for process management.
• API Security: Implemented schema-level and API-level validations using Validator.js and middleware security.
• Cloud Storage: User profile photos are uploaded to Cloudinary, storing links in the database.
• Domain & SSL: Domain purchased from Hostinger and secured with Cloudflare SSL.
• Reverse Proxy & Load Balancing: Configured with Nginx for optimized request handling.

🚀 Key Features & How They Are Built

• 🔍 Smart Networking:

  Users can search and filter profiles based on skills, interests, and location. Implemented using MongoDB queries with indexing to ensure fast search results.

• 🤝 Friend Requests & Connections:

  Users can send and accept friend requests. The status of each connection is managed in the database, and once accepted, chat functionality is unlocked.

• 💬 Real-Time Chat:

  Powered by Socket.io, the chat system updates messages instantly without reloading the page. It also tracks online status dynamically.

• 📌 Profile Customization:

  Users can update profile details and upload profile pictures, which are stored in Cloudinary for optimized image management.

• ⚡ Secure APIs:

  All endpoints are protected using JWT-based authentication. Middleware validation ensures only authorized users can access data.

• 📅 Scheduled Cron Jobs:

  Automates tasks like sending email notifications and cleaning up old data. Managed using Node.js cron jobs for scheduled execution.

• 📨 Email Services:

  Initially integrated with Amazon SES, later switched to Bravo for better deliverability and cost efficiency.

• 💳 Payment Integration:

  Users can purchase premium plans via Razorpay. Implemented secure webhooks to verify transactions and update user status.

• 📜 Pagination for Feed:

  Implemented server-side pagination to optimize feed loading and ensure a smooth user experience, even with large datasets.

• 🛒 Order Management:

  Securely stores payment and order details in MongoDB with validation to prevent duplicate or fraudulent transactions.

• 🌎 Global Reach:

  Deployed on AWS, optimized with Nginx and PM2 to handle multiple requests efficiently.

• 📡 Webhook Testing with Ngrok:

  Used Ngrok for local webhook testing, ensuring smooth payment and API integrations before deploying live.

SparkUp is built with a focus on scalability, security, and performance. From real-time communication to secure payments, every aspect is carefully designed to provide a professional networking experience that helps users build meaningful connections.