📞 Contact API with Full Authentication – Node.js, Express & MongoDB

A beginner-friendly RESTful Contact Management API built using Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, and JWT Authentication. Designed for developers who want to learn backend fundamentals including user authentication, secure API practices, and CRUD operations using a clean MVC architecture.

🚀 Perfect for beginners transitioning from Frontend to Fullstack Development!

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🏅 Badges

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✨ Features

• 🔐 User Authentication (Register/Login) using hashed passwords and JWT
• 📁 CRUD Operations for managing contacts
• 🛡️ Protected Routes using JWT middleware
• 🗃️ MongoDB Integration via Mongoose
• 🧠 Clean and modular MVC Folder Structure
• 🧪 Built-in testing support using tools like Postman or Thunder Client

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📦 Installation & Setup

🧰 Prerequisites

• Node.js v14 or later
• MongoDB (Local or Atlas)
• Postman/Thunder Client (for testing APIs)

🚀 Steps

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone <your-repo-url>
   cd Lecture_19_Project_4
   
   

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Setup environment variables:

   Create a .env file in the root folder and add the following:

   MONGO_URL=your_mongodb_connection_string
   JWT=your_jwt_secret_key
   PORT=5000
   

4. Run the server:

   node server.js

   Or using nodemon:

   nodemon server.js

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📚 API Endpoints

👤 User Authentication

Endpoint	Method	Description
/api/user/register	POST	Register a new user
/api/user/login	POST	Login and receive JWT token

🔐 Register Payload

{
  "name": "John",
  "email": "john@example.com",
  "password": "123456"
}

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📇 Contacts (Requires JWT Auth)

Endpoint	Method	Description
/api/contact/new	POST	Create new contact
/api/contact/	GET	Get all contacts
/api/contact/:id	GET	Get a specific contact by ID
/api/contact/:id	PUT	Update a contact
/api/contact/:id	DELETE	Delete a contact
/api/contact/userid/:id	GET	Get all contacts for a specific user

💡 Note: Use the Auth header to pass your JWT token like this:

Auth: Bearer <your_token>

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🧪 Example Request (JavaScript fetch)

fetch('/api/user/register', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    name: 'John',
    email: 'john@example.com',
    password: '123456'
  })
});

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📁 Project Structure (MVC)

Lecture_19_Project_4/
│
├── controllers/       # Business logic
├── models/            # Mongoose models
├── routes/            # API routes
├── middleware/        # JWT & error handlers
├── config/            # DB config
├── .env               # Environment variables
├── server.js          # App entry point
└── package.json

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🙌 Credits

This project was built as part of my Node.js backend learning journey. Special thanks to my mentors, online communities, and resources that helped along the way.

Feel free to ⭐ star, 🛠️ fork, or 🔁 contribute!

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📣 Connect with Me

• 🔗 LinkedIn
• 📂 GitHub

Happy Learning & Coding!