PatchFest Backend Starter 🚀

This project is a simple backend API starter created for IEEE PatchFest.
It provides a clean and minimal foundation that contributors can build on during the event.

Instead of creating a full application beforehand, this repository gives participants:

• a working backend,
• a clear folder structure,
• and a list of issues that describe exactly what needs to be built next.

This helps contributors practice real-world backend development in a structured way.

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📌 What This Project Is

This project is a Node.js + Express backend with only the essential setup included.

Right now, it contains:

• A minimal Express server
• A /health API route that returns { ok: true }
• A clean folder structure (src/server.js)
• Multiple issues describing the next steps

It is NOT a finished project.
It is only the foundation that participants will extend during PatchFest.

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🎯 Purpose of the Project

The goal of this backend starter is to help PatchFest participants:

• Learn how backend APIs work
• Understand GitHub workflows (issues, branches, PRs)
• Build real features step-by-step
• Collaborate in an open-source environment

This project gives everyone — beginners and advanced — meaningful tasks to work on.

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🚀 What This Backend Will Become

By the end of PatchFest, contributors will turn this starter into a functional backend API system with:

• ✔ CRUD routes (create, read, update, delete data)
• ✔ A storage layer (JSON or database)
• ✔ Input validation
• ✔ Error handling
• ✔ Logging system
• ✔ Rate limiting
• ✔ A /metrics endpoint
• ✔ API documentation (Swagger/OpenAPI)
• ✔ Automated tests and CI workflows

Each of these features will be added through the issues already listed in this repository.

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🧱 How the Project Works

The backend runs on Express.js and is structured like this: patchfest/ │ ├── src/ │ └── server.js # Main backend server file │ ├── package.json # Dependencies and scripts └── README.md # Documentation

Key Components:

• src/server.js → The main server file where API routes will be added
• /health → A simple route to verify the server is running
• Issues → The list of tasks contributors can complete
• README → The guide for running and understanding the project

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🚀 How to Run the Project

1. Install dependencies: npm install

2. Start the server: npm start

3. Open the health check endpoint: http://localhost:3000/health

If you see: { "ok": true } the backend is running successfully.

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🤝 How to Contribute

1. Go to the Issues tab
2. Choose an issue you want to work on
3. Comment: “I want to work on this”
4. Create a new branch
5. Write the code for the issue
6. Open a Pull Request
7. After review, your changes will be merged

This workflow teaches open-source collaboration.

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🗂️ Roadmap

• Add CRUD API routes
• Add JSON/database storage layer
• Add input validation
• Add proper error handling
• Add logging
• Add rate limiting
• Add metrics endpoint
• Add API documentation
• Add automated tests
• Improve developer documentation

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🎉 Why This Project Is Perfect for PatchFest

• Easy to understand
• Beginner-friendly
• Designed specifically for contributions
• Minimal setup so everyone can build
• Clear issues guide all development steps

This project will grow through teamwork, learning, and collaboration during PatchFest.