Junior NodeJS Developer

Task Objective: Develop a fully functional RESTful API for a Task Manager application using NodeJS and Express. This task focuses on designing and implementing a robust API that supports CRUD operations and demonstrates an understanding of HTTP methods, routing, and middleware in NodeJS.

Expected Deliverables:

• A compressed folder containing your complete NodeJS project with clear file structure.
• A README file with instructions for installing dependencies and running the application.
• Documentation of the API endpoints (e.g., using Postman collection export or similar).

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Project Setup: Initialize a new NodeJS project, install Express, and set up the project structure.
2. Design API Endpoints: Create endpoints for Create, Read, Update, and Delete operations on tasks. Consider properties like task title, description, due date, and status.
3. Middleware and Error Handling: Implement middleware for request logging and error handling.
4. Testing: Manually test the endpoints using tools like Postman and document the tests.
5. Documentation: Write a detailed README and inline code comments for clarity.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Correctness and completeness of API functionality.
• Code clarity, structure, and use of best practices.
• Quality of error handling and middleware implementation.
• Quality of documentation, including API endpoint descriptions and setup instructions.
• Successful submission of a file containing the complete project and documentation.

Task Objective: Create a basic real-time chat application using NodeJS and Socket.IO. The application should allow users to join a chat room, exchange messages in real time, and list currently active users. This assignment is designed to emphasize the principles of real-time web development and WebSocket integration.

Expected Deliverables:

• A complete NodeJS project folder compressed in a zip file.
• A README file with setup instructions and an explanation of how real-time messaging is handled.
• Brief documentation explaining the connection setup, event handling, and any challenges faced.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Setup and Initialization: Initialize your project, install necessary packages including Express and Socket.IO.
2. Server and Client Communication: Create the server code to handle WebSocket connections using Socket.IO and a simple HTML/JavaScript client to send and receive messages.
3. Feature Implementation: Implement functionality to broadcast messages, display users joining or leaving, and maintain an active users list.
4. Error Handling and Logging: Add code to handle connection errors and logging of chat events.
5. Documentation: Prepare comprehensive documentation of your code including explanations on how the real-time messaging works.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Correct implementation of real-time chat functionality.
• Effective use of Socket.IO for establishing WebSocket communications.
• Code quality and readability.
• Completeness of documentation and setup instructions.
• Successful file submission demonstrating a working application.

Task Objective: Enhance an existing NodeJS codebase by writing unit tests, debugging issues, and refactoring code to improve overall quality, maintainability, and performance. This task focuses on critical software development practices that are integral to any developer's workflow.

Expected Deliverables:

• A zipped folder containing the refactored NodeJS project.
• A comprehensive test suite using a testing framework (e.g., Mocha, Jest).
• A document summarizing the refactoring decisions, debugging process, and test cases added.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Project Analysis: Review your simple NodeJS project (you can start by building a small API or module if not already available) to identify areas for improvement.
2. Setup Testing Framework: Set up a testing framework of your choice, and write unit tests for existing functions and endpoints.
3. Debugging: Identify and fix at least three bugs or issues in the original code. Document the bugs and the steps taken to resolve them.
4. Refactoring: Refactor the code to adhere to best practices (e.g., using appropriate design patterns, better variable naming, modularization).
5. Documentation: Write a detailed report (which can be included as a Markdown file) that explains your refactoring approach, choices made during debugging, and a summary of the tests written.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Quality and coverage of unit tests.
• Effectiveness in identifying and fixing bugs.
• Clarity and maintainability of refactored code.
• Quality and detail of supporting documentation.
• General adherence to best coding practices and project submission guidelines.

Task Objective: Develop a secure authentication and authorization system for a NodeJS application using JSON Web Tokens (JWT). This task aims to deepen your understanding of security practices within web applications by implementing a system for user registration, login, and role-based access control.

Expected Deliverables:

• A compressed project folder containing the complete NodeJS application with JWT-based authentication.
• A README file providing setup instructions, details on how the authentication flow works, and a guide on testing the endpoints.
• Documentation explaining the architecture, decisions made, and the security measures implemented.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Project Setup: Initialize your NodeJS project and install necessary libraries such as Express, bcrypt (for password hashing), and jsonwebtoken.
2. User Registration and Authentication: Implement endpoints for user registration and login. Ensure that passwords are properly hashed and tokens are generated on successful authentication.
3. Protected Routes and Role-based Authorization: Create protected routes that only allow access when a valid JWT is provided, and implement role-based access control to manage different user permissions.
4. Error Handling and Security Considerations: Incorporate robust error handling for failed logins, token expiration, and unauthorized access attempts.
5. Testing and Documentation: Test your endpoints using manual or automated methods and document each part of the security mechanism, including setup instructions and potential limitations.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Accuracy and security of the JWT implementation.
• Successful implementation of role-based authorization.
• Code quality, clarity, and adherence to security best practices.
• Completeness and clarity of testing and documentation.
• Overall effective demonstration of a secure authentication system in a NodeJS environment.