Social Networking App to trade user belongings

Case Study Social Networking app to trade user belongings

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Client

Requirement

Client required a community platform to showcase one’s properties or belongings. This is a social networking site dedicated to users who would like to exhibit and share their antique belongings and unique collection with other users. The application includes all social networking features such as comment, like, rate etc.

Client required the following:        

Ability to upload and download photographs of properties Ability to rate properties Ability to like, post on wall, blog, comment etc.

Third-party chat integration Interactive user-interface Comprehensive dashboard with links to details Managing and adding friends Advanced search and filter abilities

Apart from this, the application allows a property with maximum likes to be displayed as the property of the week. It also allows adding a wish list for each user. Wish list includes items that users wish to possess in the near future.

Project

Challenges

Team faced the following challenges: 

Developing an active social networking portal capable of handling millions of users at the same time without slowing the site down.



Incorporating web usability principles in the website design to ensure easy navigation for all types of users.



Synchronizing and incorporating an extensive list of features designed for enhancing the users' community networking experience.



Implementing a reliable framework that instantly connects users with groups, individuals, events and other happenings across the web.

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Technologies Used Operating System & Server Management

Development Tools & Environments

Red Hat Linux OS, Multi-Server Architecture with Staging & Production Environment through Version Controlling releases, Server Optimization, Security & SSL Implementation, Scheduler for Back-ups, Alert Monitoring System Integration, Server Performance Tuning at regular intervals, Software Firewall Configuration & Maintenance PHP5+, Microsoft Visio, Symfony Framework, Zend Studio, HTML, Java Script, CSS, AJAX, SVN etc.

MYSQL Database Server, DB Clustering, DB Optimization, Master Slave Replication, Query Optimization, Scheduler for Backups

Database

Manpower Project Leader

1

Developers

2

Designers

1

Quality Assurance Testers

1

Planning Keeping in mind the structure of the website and the challenges involved a fourtier development approach was adopted consisting of:  The Database layer containing MySQL Server Database, Tables, Stored Procedures and so on.  The Interface layer and Database Abstraction layer for converting data between the incompatible type systems in databases and accessing data from the database respectively.  The Business Logic layer consisting of all the business logic procedures for modules like User Profiles, Invitations, Forums, Blogs etc. www.brainvire.com | © 2013 Brainvire Infotech Pvt. Ltd

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 The User Interface layer which forms the Graphical User Interface of the website.

Architecture The online networking characteristic of the website called for the design approach to be built around PHP and MySQL Server. Modules like User Profiles, Invitations, Forums and Blogs were developed in PHP such that they can be executed directly from the UI layer. These PHP files consisted of all the business logics used for respective modules like Save (Add/Update), Delete, Get Single Object, Get Multiple Objects for Listing and were designed to be capable of handling many more logics which were not related to the database. In order to most effectively access the database in an object-oriented context, an interface translating the object logic to the relational logic was used to communicate with the relational databases in an object-oriented manner.

An intermediary abstraction layer was created for accessing data from the database. Stored procedures were used only for complex retrieval of data from the multiple tables and were entirely avoided with conditional syntax to ensure smooth performance of the website. The UI layer was kept free of any business logic with images, applications and data being called from their respective servers. Sub-domains were used for the different areas of the website to guarantee scalability. Third party tool was integrated to increase the efficiency and functionality of the application.

Development Highlights The site was equipped with a robust architecture to offer centralized access to multiple users using blogs, groups, chat and other tools under one roof. Customized viewing options were designed to enhance user experience and allow personalization. Extensive pre-development research was carried out in order to integrate the third-party chat tool and build a fullyfunctional system according to the latest standards. SEO activities performed ensured high visibility for the site over the internet.

For timely delivery of this solution, we specifically used Symphony Framework with RAD (Rapid Application Development) methodology. System includes many parts developed using Plug-ins and Pluggable objects. Web usability guidelines were strictly followed during development and the interface was made easily navigable through judicious use of AJAX, CSS and HTML controls.

The site was developed and fully functional within a span of 2 months.

www.brainvire.com | Š 2013 Brainvire Infotech Pvt. Ltd

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