Chat App
A React Native mobile chat application for communication between users. Allows the user to exchange texts , share images and current location. The app is built using React Native, Expo and Google Firestore Database. The app ensures fluid communication with online and offline options. The user can customise their experience by entering their name and choosing a background colour for their chat screen.
I learnt about React Native, Android Studio and Expo, using this to test and develop the app. I also development my understanding of integrating Firebase for authentication and real time data storage. I then implement the Gifted Chat library with helped create an interactive chat interface. I was also able to implement the camera function and image sharing and then sharing a location map.
Project Technology
- React Native
used to develop the app, cross platform support allowed me to develop a single codebase that runs on both IOS and Android - Expo
Provided tools and a simulator on my Android device to test the application - Android Studio
which is a IDE (Integrated development environment ) for android development, it allowed me to test the app on my computer. - Google Firestore Database
used for real-time data storage and synchronisation, storing messages, images and location data. - Google Firebase Authentication
Implemented anonymous authentication for user access control. - Gifted Chat Library
used to create the chat interface including chat bubble, input fields etc.
There are screenshots of the app in use with the different components: The Home Page, welcomes the user, where they can enter their name and select a background colour for the chat screen to start chatting.
The chat screen, demonstrates how the user can send and receive messages from other users, showing a timestamp and message threads. The Media and Location Sharing area demonstrates the intergration of media and location sharing features that the user can interact with, there is an option to choose from their devices media or use the camera, and then also a location sharing service too.
