E-commerce API

A full-featured backend solution for modern e-commerce applications, delivering scalable product management, secure user authentication, and comprehensive order processing through a clean, RESTful architecture.

System Architecture

The API follows a layered architecture pattern separating concerns for maintainability and scalability:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     Client Applications                   │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                         API Gateway                       │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────────────┐│
│ │   Routes    │──│ Controllers │──│     Services        ││
│ └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └─────────────────────┘│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      Data Access Layer                    │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                          Database                         │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Core Features

Product Management

• Advanced Catalog: Full CRUD operations for products with rich metadata
• Category Hierarchies: Nested category structure with inheritance
• Image Handling: Multiple image upload with CDN integration
• Inventory Tracking: Real-time stock management with alerts
• Product Variations: Support for size, color, and other attributes

User Management & Authentication

• JWT Authentication: Secure token-based authentication
• Role-Based Access Control: Multi-level permissions (Admin, Manager, Customer)
• Profile Management: Detailed user profiles with purchase history
• Address Management: Multiple shipping/billing addresses per user

Shopping Experience

• Cart Management: Persistent shopping carts with auto-save
• Wishlist: Save products for future purchase
• Product Reviews: Rating and review system with moderation
• Search Integration: Advanced search with filters and sorting

Order Processing

• Multi-step Checkout: Streamlined checkout process
• Payment Gateway Integration: Support for multiple payment methods
• Order Lifecycle Management: Track orders from placement to delivery
• Order History: Comprehensive order tracking for users

Technical Implementation

API Security

The API implements robust security measures to protect user data and ensure safe transactions:

Authentication System

The authentication system uses JSON Web Tokens (JWT) for secure, stateless authentication. When users log in, they receive an encrypted token containing their identity information and permissions. This token must be included in subsequent API requests as a Bearer token in the Authorization header. The system validates each token's authenticity and expiration before granting access to protected resources.

Authorization Framework

A role-based access control system restricts access to sensitive operations based on user roles. The system supports multiple permission levels including Admin, Manager, and Customer roles. Each endpoint checks the user's role to determine whether they have sufficient privileges to perform the requested action. This prevents unauthorized access to administrative functions and ensures data privacy.

Security Best Practices

• Tokens expire after a configurable time period to minimize risk
• All passwords are securely hashed using bcrypt before storage
• Rate limiting prevents brute force attacks
• CORS protection controls which domains can access the API
• Input validation protects against injection attacks
• HTTPS encryption secures data in transit

Database Design

The database architecture uses a relational model with optimized schemas for:

User Management

Stores user profiles, authentication credentials, roles, and contact information with careful separation of sensitive data.

Product Catalog

Implements a flexible schema that supports complex product hierarchies, variations, and rich metadata to accommodate diverse product types.

Order Processing

Maintains comprehensive records of orders, payments, shipping details, and status updates with transaction integrity and audit logging.

Performance Optimization

The API employs several performance enhancement techniques:

• Caching Strategy: Implements Redis for caching frequently accessed data
• Database Indexing: Strategic indexes on commonly queried fields
• Query Optimization: Careful design of database queries to minimize response time
• Pagination: All list endpoints support pagination to handle large datasets efficiently
• Load Balancing: Architecture supports horizontal scaling across multiple servers

Integration Capabilities

The system provides seamless integration with external services through:

• Webhook Support: Push notifications for critical events like order status changes
• Payment Gateway Connectors: Pre-built integrations with popular payment processors
• Shipping Provider APIs: Real-time shipping rate calculations and tracking
• Analytics Integration: Event tracking for business intelligence systems
• Extensible Plugin Architecture: Custom extensions for specific business needs

Documentation & Development

• OpenAPI/Swagger Documentation: Interactive API documentation with request/response examples
• Comprehensive Testing: Unit and integration tests with high coverage
• Development Environment: Docker-based setup for consistent development experience
• CI/CD Pipeline: Automated testing and deployment workflows
• Monitoring: Built-in health checks and performance monitoring endpoints