CodeSync - Online Interview Platform

A comprehensive online interview platform built with the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) featuring video calling, real-time code editing, and interview scheduling capabilities.

🚀 Features

Core Features

• Video Calling: Real-time peer-to-peer video communication using WebRTC
• Screen Sharing: Share your screen during interviews
• Code Editor: Monaco Editor with syntax highlighting and real-time collaboration
• Code Execution: Execute code in multiple programming languages using external APIs
• Interview Scheduling: Schedule and manage interviews with calendar integration
• Real-time Chat: Built-in chat system for communication during interviews
• User Management: Role-based access control (Interviewer, Candidate, Admin)

Technical Features

• Real-time Collaboration: Socket.io for live code editing and chat
• Authentication: JWT-based authentication with role-based authorization
• Responsive Design: Modern UI built with Tailwind CSS
• Code Execution: Integration with Judge0 API for code compilation and execution
• File Management: Upload/download code files
• Interview Feedback: Comprehensive feedback system for interviewers

🛠️ Tech Stack

Backend

• Node.js - Runtime environment
• Express.js - Web framework
• MongoDB - Database
• Mongoose - ODM for MongoDB
• Socket.io - Real-time communication
• JWT - Authentication
• bcryptjs - Password hashing
• Express Validator - Input validation

Frontend

• React - UI library
• Monaco Editor - Code editor
• Socket.io Client - Real-time communication
• Tailwind CSS - Styling
• React Router - Navigation
• React Hook Form - Form management
• React Hot Toast - Notifications
• Lucide React - Icons

External APIs

• Judge0 - Code execution engine
• WebRTC - Video calling

📋 Prerequisites

Before running this application, make sure you have the following installed:

• Node.js (v14 or higher)
• MongoDB (v4.4 or higher)
• npm or yarn

🚀 Installation

1. Clone the repository

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd interview-platform

2. Install dependencies

   # Install root dependencies
   npm install
   
   # Install server dependencies
   cd server
   npm install
   
   # Install client dependencies
   cd ../client
   npm install

3. Environment Setup

   Create a .env file in the server directory:

   # Server Configuration
   PORT=5000
   NODE_ENV=development
   
   # MongoDB Configuration
   MONGODB_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017/interview-platform
   
   # JWT Configuration
   JWT_SECRET=your-super-secret-jwt-key-here
   JWT_EXPIRE=24h
   
   # Email Configuration (optional)
   EMAIL_HOST=smtp.gmail.com
   EMAIL_PORT=587
   EMAIL_USER=your-email@gmail.com
   EMAIL_PASS=your-app-password
   
   # Code Execution API
   CODE_EXECUTION_API_URL=https://judge0-ce.p.rapidapi.com
   CODE_EXECUTION_API_KEY=your-rapidapi-key
   
   # Frontend URL
   CLIENT_URL=http://localhost:3000

4. Start MongoDB

   # Start MongoDB service
   mongod

5. Run the application

   # From the root directory
   npm run dev

   This will start both the backend server (port 5000) and frontend client (port 3000).

📁 Project Structure

interview-platform/
├── server/                 # Backend server
│   ├── models/            # MongoDB models
│   ├── routes/            # API routes
│   ├── middleware/        # Custom middleware
│   ├── index.js           # Server entry point
│   └── package.json
├── client/                # Frontend React app
│   ├── public/            # Static files
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── components/    # React components
│   │   ├── contexts/      # React contexts
│   │   ├── App.js         # Main app component
│   │   └── index.js       # Entry point
│   └── package.json
├── package.json           # Root package.json
└── README.md

🔧 Configuration

MongoDB Setup

1. Install MongoDB on your system
2. Create a database named interview-platform
3. Update the MONGODB_URI in your .env file

Code Execution API

1. Sign up for a RapidAPI account
2. Subscribe to the Judge0 API
3. Get your API key and update CODE_EXECUTION_API_KEY in .env

Email Configuration (Optional)

1. Set up SMTP credentials for email notifications
2. Update email configuration in .env

🎯 Usage

For Interviewers

1. Register/Login with interviewer role
2. Schedule interviews with candidates
3. Join interview rooms
4. Conduct video interviews with code editing
5. Provide feedback after interviews

For Candidates

1. Register/Login with candidate role
2. View scheduled interviews
3. Join interview rooms
4. Participate in video interviews
5. Use the code editor for technical questions

For Admins

1. Manage all users and interviews
2. View system statistics
3. Monitor platform usage

🔒 Security Features

• JWT-based authentication
• Password hashing with bcrypt
• Role-based access control
• Input validation and sanitization
• Rate limiting
• CORS protection
• Helmet.js security headers

🚀 Deployment

Backend Deployment

1. Set up a MongoDB Atlas cluster
2. Deploy to Heroku, Vercel, or AWS
3. Update environment variables
4. Configure CORS for your domain

Frontend Deployment

1. Build the React app: npm run build
2. Deploy to Netlify, Vercel, or AWS S3
3. Update API endpoints in production

🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Add tests if applicable
5. Submit a pull request

📝 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

🆘 Support

For support and questions:

• Create an issue in the repository
• Contact the development team

🔮 Future Enhancements

• Recording interviews
• Advanced analytics dashboard
• Integration with calendar services
• Mobile app development
• AI-powered interview assistance
• Multi-language support
• Advanced code execution features
• Interview templates
• Automated scheduling
• Performance monitoring

📊 Performance

• Real-time video calling with WebRTC
• Optimized code editor with Monaco
• Efficient database queries with MongoDB
• Responsive design for all devices
• Fast loading times with optimized assets

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Built with ❤️ using the MERN stack