CurrencyCoverter

A MERN stack project to convert currencies based on real time exchange rates

A web application that allows users to easily convert between different currencies using real-time exchange rates fetched from an external API. This project includes both a frontend built with React and a backend developed with Express.

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Features

• Real-time Currency Conversion: Fetch and display live exchange rates using the Exchange Rates API.
• User-Friendly Interface: Interactive and responsive UI built with React.
• Secure: API key stored securely in a .env file.
• Rate Limiting: Prevents abuse by limiting API requests on the backend.

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Tech Stack

Frontend

• React: Core library for building the user interface.
• Vite: Development server and build tool for fast development.
• Axios: HTTP client for API calls.

Backend

• Express: Web framework for handling requests.
• Axios: For making API requests to the exchange rates service.
• dotenv: For managing environment variables.
• cors: Cross-origin resource sharing.
• express-rate-limit: To limit excessive API requests.

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Prerequisites

Ensure you have the following installed:

• Node.js: v14+
• npm: v6+

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Installation

Clone the repository

git clone <repository-url>
cd currency-converter

Thank you for providing the API documentation link. Here's a revised README section for the Currency Converter website, incorporating information from the provided documentation:

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API Integration Details

API Used: Exchange Rate API

The Exchange Rate API is used to fetch real-time currency exchange rates for accurate conversions.

API Key

• Your API key must be added securely in the .env file under EXCHANGE_RATE_API_KEY.

  EXCHANGE_RATE_API_KEY=************
  

API Features

• Provides up-to-date exchange rates between multiple currencies.
• Supports various currencies and allows easy integration into web applications.

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Backend Setup

1. Navigate to the backend directory:

   cd backend

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Create a .env file in the backend directory and add your Exchange Rates API key:

   EXCHANGE_RATE_API_KEY=************
   

4. Start the backend server:

   node app.js

Frontend Setup

1. Navigate to the frontend directory:

   cd frontend

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Start the development server:

   npm run dev

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Usage

1. Open the frontend in your browser (default: http://localhost:5173).
2. Enter the amount and select the currencies you want to convert.
3. View the converted amount based on real-time exchange rates.

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API Details

This app uses the Exchange Rates API to fetch real-time data. Make sure to:

• Register at the Exchange Rates API provider to get an API key.
• Add the API key to the .env file under EXCHANGE_RATE_API_KEY.

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Scripts

Backend

• Start the server:

  node app.js

Frontend

• Start development server:

  npm run dev

• Build for production:

  npm run build

• Preview production build:

  npm run preview

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Folder Structure

Backend

backend/
│
├── app.js               # Entry point for the backend server
├── package.json         # Backend dependencies and scripts
├── .env                 # Environment variables (API key)
└── node_modules/        # Backend dependencies

Frontend

frontend/
│
├── src/
│   ├── App.jsx          # Main React component
│   ├── index.jsx        # React DOM rendering
│   └── components/      # Reusable React components
│
├── package.json         # Frontend dependencies and scripts
├── vite.config.js       # Vite configuration
└── node_modules/        # Frontend dependencies

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