iDiscuss: An Online Discussion Forum

iDiscuss is a full-stack web application developed as an online forum for users to discuss various topics. It allows users to post queries, respond to discussions, and engage in meaningful conversations across a wide range of subjects. Built with PHP (Object-Oriented Programming), MySQL, and Bootstrap, iDiscuss also incorporates PHPMailer for secure and reliable email functionality, such as password recovery. The sign-up form includes validation for each field to ensure data accuracy and security. Additionally, sessions and cookies are used for user authentication and the "Remember Me" functionality.

Project Overview

The goal of this project is to create an easy-to-use platform for threaded discussions. Users can register, log in, search for threads, post comments, and manage their discussions. iDiscuss also features secure password recovery through email using PHPMailer.

Features

• User Registration and Authentication:

  • Users can securely sign up, log in, and log out.
  • Each sign-up field undergoes form validation to ensure correct input.
  • Passwords are securely hashed before being stored in the database.
  • Password recovery is available via email, powered by PHPMailer.
  • Session-based alerts notify users of important actions like successful updates or errors.
  • "Remember Me" functionality using cookies allows users to stay logged in across sessions.

• Discussion Threads:

  • Users can post new threads with a title and description.
  • Users can edit or delete their own threads.
  • When a thread is deleted, all related comments are also removed.

• Comment Management:

  • Users can post comments within threads.
  • Users can edit or delete their own comments.
  • Only the creator of a thread or comment can modify or delete their own content.

• Search Functionality:

  • Users can search through threads by keywords or phrases.
  • If no matching threads are found, a message will indicate no results.

• Responsive Design:

  • The site is fully mobile-responsive for seamless usability across devices.

Functional Requirements

1. User Authentication:

   • Sign up: Users can register with a username, email, and password. Each form field is validated.
   • Log in: Users can log in with their registered email and password.
   • Log out: Secure logout functionality is provided.
   • Session Management: Sessions are used to manage user authentication, provide security, and handle alerts.
   • "Remember Me": Users can choose to remain logged in using the "Remember Me" functionality, implemented via cookies.

2. Discussion Forum:

   • Posting: Users can create threads under specific topics.
   • Commenting: Users can respond to existing threads with comments.
   • Thread Management: Users can update or delete their own threads.
   • Comment Management: Users can update or delete their own comments.
   • Thread Deletion: Deleting a thread removes all corresponding comments.

3. Search System:

   • Search Bar: Users can search for threads by title or content.
   • Search Results: If no threads match the search, a message is displayed.

4. Password Management:

   • Reset Password: Users can initiate a password reset via email.
   • Email Notifications: PHPMailer sends secure reset links.

5. Notification System:

   • Email Alerts: PHPMailer ensures that email notifications (e.g., password reset) are sent securely and reliably.
   • Session Alerts: Alerts are managed using sessions for events such as successful updates, errors, and other important user feedback.

Non-Functional Requirements

1. Security:

   • Password Hashing: Passwords are hashed using PHP's secure password hashing algorithms before storage.
   • XSS Prevention: User input is sanitized to prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.
   • Session and Cookie Security: Sessions and cookies are implemented securely to manage authentication and data persistence. Cookies used for the "Remember Me" functionality are encrypted to enhance security.

2. Performance:

   • Efficient Database Queries: MySQL is optimized for fast retrieval of search results and thread loading.

3. Usability:

   • User-Friendly Interface: The design is intuitive for users of all technical levels.
   • Responsive Design: Bootstrap ensures optimal usability on various devices.

4. Reliability:

   • Email Reliability: PHPMailer guarantees the secure delivery of password reset emails.

5. Scalability:

   • The application is built to scale with increased users, allowing for easy integration of new features.

Usage of PHPMailer

PHPMailer is integrated for handling email notifications, primarily for password recovery. Here's an overview of its key usage:

• Email Sending: Emails are sent via a secure SMTP server.
• Password Reset: Users receive an email containing a unique link to reset their passwords.
• SMTP Configuration: PHPMailer is configured to use secure SMTP servers to ensure reliable and secure email delivery.

Database Import Instructions

To import the SQL dump file into your MySQL database, follow these steps:

1. Open PHPMyAdmin: Log in to PHPMyAdmin from your local server or hosting provider.
2. Create a New Database:
   • In PHPMyAdmin, create a new database by entering a name (e.g., idiscuss).
   • Click the "Create" button.
3. Import the SQL Dump:
   • Click on the "Import" tab within your newly created database.
   • Choose the SQL file (idiscuss.sql) from your file system.
   • Click "Go" to start the import process.
4. Verify Tables:
   • Once imported, you should see the relevant tables (e.g., users, threads, comments, categories) within the database.

That's it! Your database should now be ready to use with the iDiscuss project.

Technologies Used

• Frontend: HTML, CSS (Bootstrap for responsive design), JavaScript
• Backend: PHP (Object-Oriented Programming)
• Database: MySQL
• Email Handling: PHPMailer for email notifications and password recovery