Collaborative Whiteboard App

A real-time, collaborative whiteboard application.

🚀 Live Demo

Check out the live deployed version of the app here.

📚 Project Overview

The Collaborative Whiteboard App is designed to bring the interactive experience of a physical whiteboard to the digital space. This app enables multiple users to collaborate in real-time, providing a seamless platform for remote teams, online learning, and creative brainstorming sessions.

🛠 Core Features

• Real-time Collaboration:

  • Multiple users can draw, write, and interact on the same canvas simultaneously using Socket.IO. The app handles synchronization efficiently to ensure that every participant sees the updates in real-time.

• Authentication & Authorization:

  • Secure user sessions and data protection are implemented using JWT (JSON Web Tokens). Users can register, log in, and enjoy a secure experience. The app also ensures that only authorized users can access specific whiteboards.

• Advanced Drawing Tools:

  • A variety of tools including pencils, erasers, shapes, and text boxes powered by the Canvas API. The app supports undo/redo functionality and auto-saving to retain whiteboard content across sessions, even if the user is not logged in.

• Integrated Real-time Chat:

  • Chat feature built using Socket.IO allows users to communicate directly within the whiteboard. This makes collaboration even more effective as users can discuss ideas and share thoughts in real-time.

• Whiteboard Sharing & Joining:

  • Users can easily share and join whiteboards via unique session codes. This feature allows teams or groups to quickly collaborate on a shared canvas without the need for extensive setup.

🛠 Tech Stack

• Frontend: React.js, Canvas API, Bootstrap
• Backend: Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB
• Real-time Communication: Socket.IO
• Authentication/Authorization: JWT (JSON Web Tokens)
• Database: MongoDB (for storing user data and whiteboard sessions)

📋 How to Use

1. Sign Up: Create an account using your email and a secure password.
2. Create or Join a Whiteboard: You can start a new whiteboard session or join an existing one using a session code.
3. Collaborate in Real-time: Use the drawing tools to collaborate with others in real-time. Communicate using the integrated chat.
4. Save Your Work: The whiteboard automatically saves your progress, ensuring your work is preserved across sessions.
5. Share with Others: Invite others to your whiteboard by sharing the session code.

💡 What I Learned

Through this project, I enhanced my skills in both frontend and backend development, as well as in deploying a full-stack application. Working with real-time technologies like Socket.IO taught me how to handle synchronization and concurrency effectively. I also gained valuable experience in managing non-relational databases with MongoDB, ensuring data consistency and persistence across multiple users. This project has undoubtedly made me a more proficient and well-rounded software developer.

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This project showcases my ability to build complex, interactive applications with a focus on user experience, security, and real-time functionality. I invite you to explore the live demo and check out the code on GitHub.

• Live Demo Video: Demo video.