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This is a full-stack web application that provides modular productivity tools with a Django backend and React frontend. The application focuses on a clean, scalable architecture and efficient data management.

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Backend Architecture

• Framework: Django REST Framework (DRF) to build RESTful APIs.
• Authentication:
  • Token-based authentication using Django's rest_framework.authtoken to secure endpoints.
  • Login and registration endpoints with token issuance and validation.
• Database Design:
  • PostgreSQL used for storing user data, widgets, and preferences.
  • Foreign key relationships to link users to their widget layouts and preferences.
• Data Handling:
  • Designed APIs to support CRUD operations for user preferences, enforcing proper data access controls.

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Frontend Overview

• Framework: React with functional components and hooks.
• State Management:
  • Local component state and API calls to manage widget data.
• API Integration:
  • Used fetch/axios for secure communication with the Django backend and stored tokens in localStorage for persistent sessions.
• UI Design:
  • Modular widget components designed for easy customization and extension.

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Technology Stack

• Backend: Django, Django REST Framework
• Frontend: React, HTML/CSS, JavaScript
• Database: PostgreSQL (SQLite for local development)
• Authentication: Token-based Authentication (DRF)

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Widgets

The application provides the following productivity tools:

• Clock: Displays the current time.
• To-Do List: A simple task manager for daily activities.
• Calculator: A basic calculator for quick calculations.
• Notes: A note-taking widget for quick jotting down of ideas.
• Pomodoro Timer: A time management tool based on the Pomodoro Technique.
• Bookmarks: A place to store and access links.
• Weather Forecast: Displays weather information using an external API for real-time weather updates based on user location.

Features

User Authentication

• Magic Link Authentication:
  • Users receive a one-time login link via email for password-free login.
  • Secure token is used for authentication after the link is clicked.
• Token Management:
  • Tokens are used to manage user sessions and secure API endpoints.

Database Organization

• Widget Table:
  • Stores metadata for each widget.
• User Preferences Table:
  • Maps user IDs to widget settings (e.g., weather location, timers).
• Data Validation:
  • Ensures all user inputs are validated server-side before saving to the database.

Widget Preferences

• Customization:
  • Users can modify widget settings, with changes persisted and reloaded on login.
• Efficient Updates:
  • Implemented PATCH requests to update widget settings without replacing entire objects.

Recommendations

1. OAuth Integration:
   • Add sign-in options for Google or GitHub.
2. Magic Link Security:
   • Improve security by shortening token expiration times and enforcing one-time-use policies.
3. Caching Layer:
   • Add caching (e.g., Redis) to improve performance for frequently accessed data.
4. User Personalization:
   • Expand user profiles to support customizable layouts, themes, and notifications.