BitterWebsite - A Twitter Clone

Project Overview

The BitterWebsite project is a simplified Twitter clone developed during my time at NBCC as part of a hands-on PHP learning experience. The project focuses on implementing key social media functionalities such as user registration, login, and posting messages. The front-end template was provided by the instructor, while the back-end logic was developed as a practice exercise to reinforce PHP programming skills.

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Features

1. User Registration and Authentication:

   • Allows new users to register with a username and password.
   • Implements secure login functionality for registered users.

2. Message Posting:

   • Enables users to post "tweets" (short messages) on the platform.
   • Displays a feed of messages posted by all users.

3. Responsive Front-End:

   • Utilizes the provided HTML/CSS template for a visually appealing interface.
   • Ensures the layout is user-friendly and accessible.

4. Database Integration:

   • Stores user data and messages in a MySQL database.
   • Provides persistent storage for all user-generated content.

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Technical Specifications

• Backend: PHP
• Frontend: HTML, CSS (template provided by instructor)
• Database: MySQL
• Architecture:
  • Backend code is organized for maintainability and scalability.
  • Adheres to basic security practices, such as password hashing.

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How to Run

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/RicoRF/BitterWebsite.git

2. Set up the database:

   • Import the bitter.sql file (or equivalent) from the repository into your MySQL server.

3. Configure the database connection:

   • Update the config.php file with your database credentials (host, username, password, and database name).

4. Launch the project:

   • Place the project files in your local server directory (e.g., htdocs for XAMPP or www for WAMP).
   • Start your local server (Apache and MySQL).
   • Access the project in your browser at http://localhost/BitterWebsite.

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Lessons Learned

This project provided valuable experience in:

• Developing dynamic web applications using PHP and MySQL.
• Implementing basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations in a real-world context.
• Strengthening understanding of server-side programming and database interactions.
• Practicing secure coding practices, such as input validation and password encryption.

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Future Enhancements

• Add user profiles to allow customization and better engagement.
• Implement a "like" and "reply" feature for messages.
• Enhance the security of user authentication by integrating modern frameworks.
• Optimize the front-end for improved responsiveness and interactivity.

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Author

Federico Ferrante
Passionate full-stack developer with hands-on experience in building dynamic web applications.
Feel free to reach out via GitHub or LinkedIn.

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.