Real-Time Poll App

A real-time polling application where users can create custom polls, join rooms, vote, and view results instantly. Built with React and WebSocket for seamless live interaction.

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🚀 Features

• ✅ Create Polls: Set custom questions and options.
• 🔗 Join Rooms: Join existing polls using a room code.
• ⚡ Real-Time Voting: See votes update live across all participants.
• 🎛️ Master Controls: End the poll early as the poll creator.
• 🕒 Room Expiry: Inactive rooms auto-delete after 15 minutes.
• ✍️ Custom Questions: Full flexibility to define your poll content.

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🧱 Tech Stack

Frontend

• React – For building dynamic UIs
• WebSocket – Real-time updates via WS connections

Backend

• Node.js – Lightweight server runtime
• ws – WebSocket library for the backend

Deployment

• Docker – Containerized deployment
• Nginx – Serves the frontend

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🔧 Installation

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v16 or higher)
• Docker (optional, for containerized setup)

Local Setup

1. Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/your-username/real-time-poll-app.git
   cd real-time-poll-app

2. Install dependencies

   # Backend
   cd backend
   npm install
   
   # Frontend
   cd ../frontend
   npm install

3. Start the servers

   # Backend
   cd ../backend
   npm start
   
   # Frontend
   cd ../frontend
   npm start

4. Access the app Open your browser at: http://localhost:3000

5. DEPLOYED LINK Live Demo Check out the deployed version: real-time-polling-app-deployed.netlify.app

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🧪 Usage

➕ Create a Poll

• Enter your name
• Add a custom question and options
• Click Create Poll to get a room code

🔑 Join a Room

• Enter your name
• Enter the room code shared by the creator

🗳️ Vote

• Choose an option
• Watch votes update in real-time

🔐 End Poll (Creator Only)

• The poll creator can end the session at any time

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🐳 Docker Deployment

Build and run everything using Docker Compose:

docker-compose up --build

App will be live at: http://localhost:3000

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📁 Project Structure

real-time-poll-app/
├── backend/
│   ├── index.js           # WebSocket server logic
│   ├── package.json       # Backend dependencies
│   └── Dockerfile         # Backend container config
├── frontend/
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── App.js         # Main React component
│   │   ├── App.css        # Styling
│   │   └── index.js       # React entry point
│   ├── public/
│   │   └── index.html     # Base HTML template
│   ├── package.json       # Frontend dependencies
│   └── Dockerfile         # Frontend container config
├── docker-compose.yml     # Orchestration config
└── README.md              # Project docs

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🌐 Environment Variables

Frontend

• No additional configuration required

Backend

• WebSocket server runs on port 8080 by default

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