Simple Websockets Chat App

Abstract

1. Introduction

The first and fastest way is to use AWS's Serverless Application Repository to directly deploy the components of this app into your account without needing to use any additional tools. You'll be able to review everything before it deploys to make sure you understand what will happen. Click through to see the application details.

2. Objective

This SAM application provides the Lambda functions, DynamoDB table, and roles to allow you to build a simple chat application based on API Gateway's new WebSocket-based API feature.

This project demonstrates how JavaScript, AWS can be applied to a real-world Full Stack Web Development problem.

4. Technology Stack

5. System Requirements

General requirements for this technology stack — check the README for exact versions.

• Node.js (LTS) and npm
• A modern web browser
• VS Code or any code editor
• Git (to clone the repository)

6. Installation & Setup

git clone https://github.com/aws-samples/simple-websockets-chat-app.git
cd simple-websockets-chat-app

Full setup instructions are in the project README.

7. Future Enhancements

Suggested extensions you can add to make this your own project.

• Add role-based access control
• Deploy on a VPS or cPanel hosting with a custom domain
• Add automated tests and a CI pipeline

8. Viva / Review Questions

Common questions examiners ask for projects in this domain.

1. Explain the frontend, backend and database layers of this application.
2. How is user authentication and authorisation implemented?
3. Describe the main database tables / collections and their relationships.
4. Which REST APIs or routes are exposed and what do they return?
5. How would you deploy this application to production?

9. Source Code & License

This project is developed by aws-samples and published on GitHub under the MIT No Attribution. Please follow the license terms and credit the original author when you use or modify this code.