Portfolio Server

A comprehensive Node.js Express backend that serves as the API layer for a personal portfolio website. This serverless application provides various endpoints for portfolio features including work tracking, contact forms, visitor analytics, and interactive applications.

Overview

This backend server is designed to support a full-stack portfolio website with multiple interactive features. Built with Express.js and deployed as serverless functions on Vercel, it provides RESTful APIs for client applications while maintaining scalability and performance.

Core Features

Work Tracker (Active)

• Endpoint: /workTracker
• Functionality: Advanced work schedule and earnings calculator
• Features:
  • Calendar generation for tax years (April-March)
  • Overtime calculations and pay day tracking
  • Flexible rota management with custom off-days
  • JSON data storage for work patterns and rates

Contact Form (Available)

• Endpoint: /contactForm
• Functionality: Email handling system for portfolio inquiries
• Features:
  • Email validation and processing
  • Automated reply system
  • Integration with nodemailer for SMTP

Visitor Counter (Available)

• Endpoint: /visitor
• Functionality: Analytics and visitor tracking
• Features:
  • MongoDB integration for visitor data
  • Real-time visitor counting
  • Historical visit data storage

Additional Features (In Development)

• ChatBot: Interactive chat functionality
• Tictactoe: Browser-based game with user accounts
• COVID Tracker: News and data aggregation
• User Registration/Login: Authentication system

Technology Stack

Backend Framework

• Express.js - Web application framework
• Node.js - JavaScript runtime environment

Database & Storage

• MongoDB - NoSQL database for user data and analytics
• Mongoose - MongoDB object modeling
• JSON Files - Local storage for configuration and static data

Authentication & Security

• JSON Web Tokens (JWT) - Token-based authentication
• CORS - Cross-origin resource sharing
• Cookie Parser - Cookie handling middleware

External Services

• Nodemailer - Email service integration
• Axios - HTTP client for API requests
• Socket.io - Real-time communication

Development & Deployment

• Vercel - Serverless deployment platform
• Nodemon - Development server with hot reload
• Jest - Testing framework
• Google Cloud Functions - Cloud function support

Utilities

• Moment.js - Date and time manipulation
• UUID - Unique identifier generation
• Dotenv - Environment variable management

Project Structure

Portfolio-Server/
├── routes/                    # API route handlers
│   ├── WorkTracker/          # Work tracking functionality
│   ├── ContactForm/          # Email and contact handling
│   ├── VisitorsCounter/      # Analytics and visitor tracking
│   ├── Tictactoe/           # Game logic and user management
│   ├── ChatBot/             # Chat functionality
│   └── Covid/               # News and data aggregation
├── Functions/               # Google Cloud Functions
├── public/                  # Static assets
├── test/                    # Test suites
├── server.js               # Main application entry point
├── vercel.json             # Vercel deployment configuration
└── package.json            # Dependencies and scripts

Deployment

The application is deployed as serverless functions on Vercel, providing:

• Automatic scaling based on demand
• Global CDN distribution for optimal performance
• Zero-downtime deployments with instant rollbacks
• Environment variable management for secure configuration

Development Status

Current Status: Production Ready

• ✅ Successfully deployed to Vercel
• ✅ Core WorkTracker functionality operational
• ✅ Contact form and visitor tracking ready
• ✅ Comprehensive testing suite implemented

Next Steps

• Test all API endpoints on deployed Vercel instance
• Implement proper error handling for production
• Add comprehensive logging for serverless environment
• Consider adding API documentation
• Set up monitoring and analytics

API Documentation

Base URL

Production: https://your-vercel-deployment.vercel.app
Development: http://localhost:8080

Available Endpoints

• GET / - Health check endpoint
• POST /workTracker - Work schedule and earnings calculation
• POST /contactForm - Contact form submission
• GET /visitor - Visitor analytics (when activated)

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Built with ❤️ for portfolio demonstration and real-world application