NeXTCODE: A realtime code collaboration tool

Introduction

This innovative project is dedicated to the development of a lightweight, standalone application designed to enhance the collaborative coding experience for software development teams. If you’ve ever faced challenges with delayed synchronization, lack of real-time collaboration features, or resource-heavy dependencies in existing tools, this tool aims to provide a solution. It was developed by Tapiwanashe Mlambo as his mid-term project for his undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Science Applied Computer Technology.

Key Features

• Real-Time Collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with team members in real time, enhancing communication and productivity.
• Syntax Highlighting: Improve code readability with instant syntax highlighting, making coding more efficient and error-resistant.
• User-Friendly Interface: A lightweight and standalone solution, ensuring a “plug-and-play” experience without the need for resource-heavy installations.

Technologies Used

• Frontend: React.js
• Runtime Environment: Node.js, Express.js
• Real-Time Communication: Socket.io
• Code Editor Component: CodeMirror
• User Notification: React-Toastify

Running Locally

Prerequisites

Ensure you have Node.js installed on your machine. If not, download and install it from the Node.js website.

Steps

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/tapiwamla/nextcode.git
   

2. Navigate to the project directory:

   cd nextcode
   

3. Install dependencies:

   npm install
   

4. Start the full-stack application:

   npm run start:dev
   

5. Open the application:

   • Once the application is running, open your web browser and go to http://localhost:3000.

Thank you for your interest in NeXTCODE! 🚀