URL Shortener & Analytics Platform

A production-grade URL Shortener & Analytics Platform designed to demonstrate core Software Development Engineering (SDE) concepts. Built with Python (Flask), PostgreSQL, SQLAlchemy ORM, JWT Authentication, and modern HTML/CSS/JS, this platform provides reliable link shortening and in-depth traffic analytics.

🚀 How It Works (System Flow)

1. Creating a Short URL

When a user enters a long URL via the frontend, a POST /api/urls request is sent to the Flask Backend. The system uses a Base62 Algorithm (converting the Database ID into a short string using 62 alphanumeric characters) to generate a unique short code, saving the mapping in the PostgreSQL database.

2. Visiting a Short URL (Redirection & Analytics)

When a user visits the generated short URL (e.g., /aB72x), the backend searches for the original target in the database and verifies its expiration status. Concurrently, it parses the HTTP request to extract metadata (Browser, OS, Referrer, IP) and records this in the clicks table to increment the counter, before triggering an HTTP 302 Redirect to the target.

🛠️ Technology Stack & SDE Concepts

• C++ / Python: DSA Concept: Base62 conversion algorithm (0-9, a-z, A-Z) ensuring compact, URL-safe links without special characters.
• Python (Flask): Web Application & RESTful API Backend.
• PostgreSQL: Relational Database Engine.
• SQLAlchemy: Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) & Database migrations.
• JWT (PyJWT): Stateless Authentication & Token Security.
• HTML5 / CSS3 / JS: Responsive Frontend UI with Glassmorphism & Dark Mode.
• Docker & Compose: Containerized multi-service deployment.

🗄️ Relational Database Schema

The platform uses a well-structured relational design:

• users table: Handles authentication, storing unique usernames, emails, and password hashes.
• urls table: Links to users (One-to-Many). Stores the original URL, short code, expiration dates, and click counts.
• clicks table: Links to URLs (One-to-Many). Logs analytics including IP addresses, timestamps, browser, OS, and referrers.

📡 REST API Documentation

Authentication APIs

• POST /api/auth/register — Register a new user
• POST /api/auth/login — Sign in user and receive JWT Bearer token
• GET /api/auth/me — Fetch current user profile

URL Management & Analytics APIs

• POST /api/urls — Shorten a long URL (supports custom aliases & expiration)
• GET /api/urls — Fetch user's shortened URLs
• GET /api/urls/<id>/analytics — Get click counts, top browsers, OS, referrers, and visit logs
• DELETE /api/urls/<id> — Delete a short URL

🧪 Try It Live & View Code

Click here to launch the live Platform

View the complete codebase on GitHub

🔗 Connect with Me
🌐 www.tauqueeralam.com
📱 LinkedIn | GitHub

View the live demo below: