WhatsDown Messaging Web Application

A Web Programming Project

An amateur-inspired messaging application akin to WhatsApp, with features such as user search, contact management, and customizable chat settings. Users can:

• Add or remove contacts.
• Send visible/hidden text messages or images (similar to Discord).
• Customize chat wallpapers or set wallpaper colors.
• Toggle between light and dark themes.

All data is securely stored in a MySQL database.

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🛠️ Technical Details

• Frontend:

  • Built with vanilla JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap.
  • JavaScript is modularized into two files: one for the login page and another for the main app functionality.

• Backend:

  • Powered by PHP.
  • Each server request corresponds to a specific PHP script, organized within a dedicated php_scripts folder.

• Hosting:

  • The web application is hosted locally using XAMPP.
  • Uses an Apache server to execute PHP scripts.
  • MySQL server is employed for managing the application's database.

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🚀 Setting It Up

1. Installing XAMPP

Download the appropriate version of XAMPP for your operating system from the official website.

2. Cloning the Repository

Navigate to the htdocs directory of your XAMPP installation:

cd xampp/htdocs

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/mmswflow-upb/WhatsDown-IWP-Project.git

3. Running the Application

• Open the XAMPP application.
• Start the Apache and MySQL services by clicking the "Start" buttons next to them.
• The application should now be accessible through your web browser.

4. Setting Up the Database

Accessing the Database Admin Page

• Click the "Admin" button next to "MySQL" in the XAMPP interface.
• You will be redirected to the PHPMyAdmin page.

Creating the Database

• In PHPMyAdmin, click the "New" button on the left panel.
• Create a new database and name it whatsdowndb.

Creating the Users Table

• Select the whatsdowndb database from the left panel.
• Go to the "SQL" tab.
• Copy the commands from the provided SQL script and paste them into the text box.
• Click "Go" to execute the commands and create the necessary tables.

5. Accessing the Application

In your browser, navigate to:

http://localhost/WhatsDown-IWP-Project  

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📚 Notes

• Ensure XAMPP is running whenever you access the application locally.
• Modify the SQL script if you wish to customize the database structure.
• Use php_scripts for adding new functionality to the backend.