Web-Based E-Commerce Platform: Computer Engineering Guide
1. Introduction
Overview of the project.
Objectives of the system: Create an online platform for buying and selling products, offering a seamless shopping experience.
Scope of the system: Suitable for individual businesses or marketplaces hosting multiple vendors.
2. Requirements Analysis
Functional Requirements:
· - User registration and login for customers and vendors.
· - Product listing, searching, and filtering functionality.
· - Shopping cart and checkout system.
· - Payment gateway integration.
· - Order tracking and management.
Non-Functional Requirements:
· - High availability and scalability.
· - Secure handling of user data and transactions.
· - Responsive design for desktop and mobile users.
3. System Design
Architecture:
· - Three-tier architecture: frontend, backend, and database.
· - RESTful APIs for communication between frontend and backend.
Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs):
· - Level 0: Overview of user interactions with the platform.
· - Level 1: Modules like Product Management, Order Processing, and User Authentication.
Database Design:
· - Tables: Users, Products, Orders, Payments, Categories.
4. Technology Stack
Frontend Development:
· - HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React.js or Angular.
Backend Development:
· - Languages: Python (Django/Flask), Java (Spring Boot), or Node.js.
· - Frameworks for business logic and API development.
Database:
· - SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL) or NoSQL (MongoDB, Firebase).
Payment Gateway Integration:
· - PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay, or Square.
Hosting:
· - Cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
5. Implementation
Frontend Development:
· - Design and implement pages for browsing, product details, and user accounts.
· - Optimize for responsiveness and user experience.
Backend Development:
· - Develop APIs for product management, user authentication, and order processing.
· - Implement business logic for cart and payment processing.
Integration:
· - Connect frontend with backend APIs.
· - Integrate payment gateways and third-party services.
6. Security
Encrypt user data and payment details during transmission.
Use secure authentication mechanisms (e.g., OAuth, JWT).
Regularly audit the system for vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with standards like PCI-DSS.
7. Testing
Unit Testing: Validate individual components like API endpoints and UI elements.
Integration Testing: Ensure seamless communication between frontend, backend, and external services.
System Testing: Test the platform under different usage scenarios.
Performance Testing: Evaluate response times and scalability under high traffic.
8. Deployment
Host the frontend and backend on cloud services.
Configure a CDN (Content Delivery Network) for faster content delivery.
Monitor system performance using tools like New Relic or CloudWatch.
9. Maintenance and Updates
Regularly update the platform for improved features and security.
Monitor system logs and user feedback for continuous improvement.
Ensure compatibility with new browser versions and devices.
10. Appendix
Glossary of terms.
References and additional resources.