Money Bank

Link to project: Money Bank

Project Overview:

Money Bank is a FinTech app built using JavaScript, React, Express, and Node. It leverages the Basiq API to connect and retrieve financial transaction data, providing users with a visual representation of their banking activities. The app incorporates Chart.js to create intuitive charts and graphs.

How It Works:

Functionality:

• Users can connect to the Basiq API by clicking the "Connect Bank" button.
• Financial transaction data fetched from the API is stored in the component's state using React's useState hook.
• The app uses an example user's Basiq ID for demonstration purposes.

Charts:

• Chart.js is employed to visualize financial data, offering a clear representation of withdrawals and deposits.

Data Processing:

• Financial transaction data from the Basiq API is processed to categorize and separate withdrawals and deposits.
• The processed data is then utilised to generate informative charts and graphs.

User Interaction:

• The "Connect Bank" button initiates the process of fetching financial transaction data.
• Upon successful retrieval, the app dynamically displays the total bank transactions.

Optimisations:

• Introduction of a profile page for users to update their data.
• Implementation of a privacy policy and terms of service
• Accurate data retrieval with real-time financial information by creating Basiq User with each user.

Lessons Learned:

1. Importance of Comprehensive Planning:

• Realized the significance of thorough project planning, including defining clear objectives, user stories, and architectural considerations. This helps in avoiding potential roadblocks during the development process.

2. User-Centric Design:

• Recognised the importance of prioritising user experience. Incorporating user feedback and iteratively improving the user interface ensures a more intuitive and satisfying application for end-users.

3. Handling External APIs:

• Faced challenges and gained insights into efficiently integrating and working with external APIs. Understanding API documentation thoroughly and handling potential errors became a key part of the development process.

4. Importance of Documentation:

• Appreciated the role of comprehensive documentation in easing future development, maintenance, and onboarding processes. Well-documented code and project information enhance overall project sustainability.

5. Staying Adaptable:

• Acknowledged the dynamic nature of software development. Staying adaptable to changing requirements and embracing new technologies ensures resilience in the face of evolving project needs.