django-chat-app

Django Chat Application

The Django Chat Application is a web-based platform that allows users to engage in real-time chat conversations with their friends, manage their profiles, send and accept friend requests, and search for other users within the application. This project provides a user-friendly interface for communication and social interaction, utilizing API calls and polling for real-time chat updates.

Key Features

User Authentication: Users must first log in to access the application. New users have the option to sign up for an account.
User Profiles: Each user has a profile page displaying their information. Users can edit their profile information.
Navigation: The application features a simple UI with the following buttons: “Edit Profile,” “Logout,” and “Search” to allow users to find other users on the platform.
Friend Management: Users can maintain two lists: “Friend List” and “Request List.” Users can click on friend names in these lists to access profiles or start chats.
Chatting: Users can initiate chat conversations by clicking on a friend’s name. Real-time chat functionality is implemented using API calls and polling, enabling near-instant communication.
Friend Requests: Users can send friend requests to others by visiting their profiles. Pending friend requests can be accepted or rejected. Accepted requests add users to each other’s friend lists.
Friend Profile Options: Users can perform actions on friends’ profiles, including “Remove Friend” and “Chat.”

User Flow

User logs in or signs up.
On the dashboard, the user can:
- Edit their profile information.
- Log out of their account.
- Search for other users.
- View their friend list and pending friend requests.
In the friend list and request list:
- Clicking on a friend’s name opens a chat with them.
- Clicking on a pending request opens the requester’s profile.
- Pending requests can be accepted or rejected.
In a friend’s profile:
- The user can choose to remove the friend or start a chat.

Technology Stack

Django (Python web framework)
Front-end technologies for the UI (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
API calls and polling for real-time chat updates
Database for user information and chat history (e.g., PostgreSQL)

Project Goals

Create a user-friendly and interactive chat application.
Implement secure user authentication and authorization.
Provide a smooth and responsive user interface.
Enable real-time chat features using API calls and polling.
Develop a robust friend management system with friend requests.

Future Enhancements

Implement notifications for friend requests and new messages.
Add multimedia support (e.g., file sharing, image uploads).
Enhance user profiles with profile pictures and additional details.
Implement group chats and chat rooms.

Getting Started

To get started with the Django Chat Application, follow these steps:

Clone the repository to your local machine:

git clone https://github.com/devnamdev2003/django-chat-app.git

Create a virtual environment and install the project dependencies:

cd django-chat-app
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows, use: venv\Scripts\activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

Set up the database:
```
python manage.py migrate
```
Start the development server:
```
python manage.py runserver
```
Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost:8000/ to access the application.