Quack: A Simple Social Media Web Application

This repository contains a PHP-based web application implementing the "Quack" platform, designed as a university assignment for the "Computer Lab II" course. Quack is a lightweight social media application that allows users to share short posts, follow others, and explore tagged content.

Features

• User Functionality:

  • Post short messages (quacks) with a maximum length of 140 characters.
  • Use hashtags (#tag) and mentions (@username) within posts.
  • Follow or unfollow other users.
  • View quacks that mention your username.
  • Filter quacks by specific hashtags.

• Database-Driven Application:

  • Users, posts, and follow relationships are managed through MySQL tables.
  • Includes functionality for initializing database tables with prepareDB.php.

• Interactive Views:

  • View all your quacks and create new ones.
  • View quacks from users you follow.
  • Manage your follow list by adding or removing users.
  • See all users following you.
  • Search and view quacks containing specific hashtags.

• Additional Features:

  • Posts are displayed in descending order of posting time.
  • Hashtags are rendered as clickable links to filtered views.
  • Secure login and logout functionality.
  • Hashtags rendered as clickable links for easy navigation.

Setup Instructions

1. Database Initialization:

   • Configure database connection details in prepareDB.php.
   • Execute the script to create the required tables:
     • dz2_users: Stores user data.
     • dz2_follows: Tracks follow relationships.
     • dz2_quacks: Stores quack posts.

2. Deployment:

   • Upload the application files to a PHP-enabled web server.

3. File Permissions:

   • Set directory permissions to 701 (rwx-----x) for security.

Technical Notes

• Uses MySQL for data persistence.
• Avoids JavaScript; all interactivity is handled via PHP.

Potential Improvements

• User Registration System: Allow new users to register accounts directly within the application, enhancing usability and functionality.
• Enhanced Navigation: Introduce pagination for better handling of large numbers of quacks.
• Real-Time Updates: Integrate live updates for new quacks using AJAX.
• Search Enhancements: Add advanced search capabilities, such as filtering by date range or multiple hashtags.
• Profile Customization: Enable users to add profile pictures or descriptions for a more personalized experience.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Improve the design for better compatibility with mobile devices.

How to Use

1. Log In:

   • Users log in with their username and password.

2. Explore Features:

   • Create quacks using a simple text box.
   • View quacks from followed users or mentioning your username.
   • Filter quacks by specific hashtags.
   • Manage your follow list by adding or removing users.

3. Navigation:

   • Posts are sorted by date, with the newest first.
   • Clickable hashtags simplify navigation to related posts.

Additional Information

This project was completed in April 2023 as part of a university course. The goal was to demonstrate database integration, PHP scripting, and web application development principles.

License

This project is provided for educational purposes only and is not associated with any formal licensing.