The API Project, Node, Express, PostgreSQL, Sequelize ORM, Session, JWT, Subscription, Logger

TheAPIProject is a versatile and affordable API platform designed to provide developers with easy access to a diverse range of services. Initially conceived as a "Random Quote Generator API" the project is expanding its vision to encompass a rich collection of data services. Upcoming releases include GIFs, Dummy or Mock APIs for testing, Jokes, and more. With a focus on affordability and simplicity, TheAPIProject stands as the go-to solution for developers seeking dynamic content.

Frontend Repository

For the corresponding frontend, visit the The API Project Frontend.

Documentation

• Public API
• Users API
• Quotes API
• Giphies API
• OCR API
• Session Middleware
• Database Management using Sequelize ORM

Note: Find all API-related configurations in src/config/, such as src/config/subscriptionConfig.js, src/config/ocrOptions.js, etc.

API Documentation on Postman

Explore the API documentation API Documentation and Postman Workspace.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have met the following requirements:

• Node.js installed (https://nodejs.org/)
• PostgreSQL installed and running
• Git (optional, but recommended)

Project Dependencies

• Express.js
• PostgreSQL
• Sequelize ORM (for database)
• ESLint (for code linting)
• Session-based Authentication (for Users)
• JWT Authentication (for API Access Keys)

Setting Up PostgreSQL Server and Importing Database

Before starting the local server, make sure you have PostgreSQL Server installed and running.

If you're a developer making modifications to the project, refer to the Database Management with Sequelize ORM section for detailed information on creating the database, migrations, and seeders.

Getting Started

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/HamidByte/The-API-Project.git

2. Install dependencies:

   cd The-API-Project
   npm install

3. Configure Environment Variables:

   Create .env.development and .env.production files in the root of the project for the development and production environments, respectively and set the following variables in each file:

   .env.development:

   SESSION_SECRET_KEY=your-secret-key
   API_SECRET_KEY=your-secret-key
   
   # Email
   EMAIL_ADDRESS=your-email-address
   EMAIL_PASSWORD=your-email-password
   DATABASE_URL=postgres://USERNAME:PASSWORD@localhost:5432/DATABASE_NAME
   
   # Client url
   BASE_URL_CLIENT=http://127.0.0.1:5173
   
   # Server environmental variables (optional)
   HOST=127.0.0.1
   PORT=3000
   BASE_URL_SERVER=http://127.0.0.1:3000

   .env.production:

   SESSION_SECRET_KEY=your-secret-key
   API_SECRET_KEY=your-secret-key
   DATABASE_URL=database-url
   
   # Email
   EMAIL_ADDRESS=your-email-address
   EMAIL_PASSWORD=your-email-password
   
   # Client url
   BASE_URL_CLIENT=your-client-url
   
   # Server environmental variables (optional)
   HOST=your-host-name
   PORT=your-port-number
   BASE_URL_SERVER=your-base-url-server

   • A database URL is required. Update USERNAME, PASSWORD, and DATABASE_NAME in the .env.development file to configure the database for development.
   • If you intend to use a cloud database, it's pre-configured for production in the .env.production file. Ensure the DATABASE_URL is properly set up for production environments.
   • To customize the database configuration, modify the src/config/dbConfig.js file as needed, supporting both development and production environments. Ensure SSL is enabled for production by setting ssl: true in the production configuration.
   • Certain email services may block SMTP access. For Gmail, generate a Google app password, enabling the less secure apps access account setting in your Google account.
   • Note that this setting is turned off by default, and you need to enable it.
   • If you are using another email service provider that supports SMTP, update the settings in src/config/emailConfig.js.

4. Configure the Database Settings:

   Create a database in PostgreSQL Server. Open src/config/dbConfig.js and update the fields below with your PostgreSQL database details:

   "development": {
     "username": "your_username",
     "password": "your_password",
     "database": "your_database_name",
     "host": "your_database_host",
     "port": 5432,
     "dialect": "postgres"
   },

   • The default port for PostgreSQL is 5432.
   • Set the dialect to postgres for PostgreSQL.
   • (optional) Use the .data/database/database.sql file to import the provided database, if available.

5. Start the server:

   For development:

   npm start

   or

   npm run dev

   The server is now running at http://127.0.0.1:3000

   For production:

   Option 1. Try it

   npm run prod

   Option 2. Run in the background using PM2

   Install PM2 if you don't have it:

   npm install pm2 -g

   Start Server

   npm run pm2

   More useful PM2 Commands:

   If you want to see the current console output

   pm2 monit

   If you want to add it to startup

   pm2 save && pm2 startup

Acknowledgments

We express our gratitude to the open-source community for their invaluable contributions, which have played a pivotal role in enhancing our project by providing essential tools and libraries.