Online File Compressor and Converter

This is a full-stack web application that allows users to upload files, compress them using Run-Length Encoding, and encrypt them with a password. It features a React frontend, a Node.js backend, and a C++ core for file processing.

Project Structure

.
├── backend
│   ├── cpp_backend     # C++ executable
│   ├── db
│   │   └── users.json  # File-based database for users
│   ├── index.js        # Node.js server
│   ├── package.json
│   ├── processed       # Directory for processed files
│   └── uploads         # Directory for uploaded files
├── cpp
│   └── main.cpp        # C++ source code
├── frontend
│   ├── public
│   ├── src
│   │   ├── components  # React components
│   │   ├── pages       # Page components
│   │   └── services    # API services and AuthContext
│   └── package.json
└── README.md

Tech Stack

• Frontend: React, React Router, Bootstrap, Axios
• Backend: Node.js, Express.js
• C++ Core: Standard C++ for file operations
• Database: JSON file (for simplicity)

Features

• File Compression: Run-Length Encoding for lossless compression.
• File Encryption: Simple XOR-based encryption with a user-provided password.
• User Authentication: Signup and login functionality.
• Tiered System: Free and Premium user tiers with different file size limits.
• Ad Integration: Mock Google AdSense ads for free users.
• Payment Gateway: Mock Razorpay integration for upgrading to a premium plan.

Backend API Design

The backend is a Node.js server using Express.js. It exposes a REST API to communicate with the frontend.

API Endpoints

• POST /api/auth/signup: Create a new user account.
  • Request Body: { "name": "Test User", "email": "test@example.com", "password": "password123" }
  • Response: { "message": "User created successfully" }
• POST /api/auth/login: Log in a user.
  • Request Body: { "email": "test@example.com", "password": "password123" }
  • Response: { "message": "Logged in successfully", "user": { ... } }
• POST /api/user/premium: Upgrade a user to premium.
  • Request Body: { "email": "test@example.com" }
  • Response: { "message": "User upgraded to premium", "user": { ... } }
• POST /api/upload: Upload a file for processing.
  • Request Body: multipart/form-data with fields file, operation, and password (optional).
  • Response: { "message": "File processed successfully", "downloadPath": "..." }
• GET /api/download?path=<file_path>: Download a processed file.

C++ Backend Integration

The Node.js backend uses the child_process module to execute the compiled C++ program (cpp_backend). The C++ program handles the core file processing tasks (compression, encryption, etc.).

Command-line arguments for the C++ program:

./cpp_backend <operation> <input_file> <output_file> [password]

• <operation>: compress, decompress, encrypt, or decrypt
• <input_file>: Path to the input file.
• <output_file>: Path to the output file.
• [password]: Optional password for encryption/decryption.

Payment & Ads Flow

• Razorpay: The pricing page includes a "Get started" button for the premium plan. When clicked, it simulates a Razorpay payment. On "successful payment," the frontend calls the /api/user/premium endpoint to upgrade the user's account.
• Google AdSense: Placeholder ad components are displayed on the UploadPage and DashboardPage for users who are not premium.

How to Run the Project

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/shinchan996/File-Converter
   cd file-compressor

2. Install backend dependencies:

   cd backend
   npm install
   cd ..

3. Install frontend dependencies:

   cd frontend
   npm install
   cd ..

4. Compile the C++ code: You need a C++ compiler like g++.

   g++ cpp/main.cpp -o backend/cpp_backend

5. Start the backend server:

   cd backend
   node index.js

   The backend will be running at http://localhost:3001.

6. Start the frontend development server: In a new terminal:

   cd frontend
   npm start

   The frontend will be running at http://localhost:3000.

Deployment Suggestions

• Backend: The Node.js backend can be deployed to platforms like Heroku, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, or a virtual private server (VPS).
• Frontend: The React frontend can be built into static files (npm run build) and served by a static file server like Nginx, or hosted on platforms like Netlify or Vercel.
• C++ Backend: When deploying, ensure the C++ code is compiled on the target server environment, or use a Docker container to package the entire application (Node.js backend + C++ executable).

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👤 Author

• Name: shinachn996
• Email: dekusunita996@gmail.com
• GitHub: https://github.com/shinchan996
• Project: Online File Compressor and Converter
• Year: 2026