DisasterTrackingProject

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Inspiration

Our inspiration for this project came from the need to understand and effectively use third-party APIs, a crucial skill in real-world software development. We wanted to challenge ourselves by integrating professional-level APIs like NASA and Google Maps into a functional, practical project. Additionally, contributing to something that could help people stay informed about natural disasters seemed like a meaningful application of these skills.

What it does

The Disaster Tracking System is all about giving users a quick, clear view of what's happening globally when it comes to natural disasters. It features a real-time map with markers that show disaster locations, and there's also a dedicated page listing current disasters (coming soon). This way, users can easily spot affected areas and stay updated on critical events. We’re also planning to add a feature where users can opt in to get notifications about disasters happening in their area, so they can stay informed about local events.

How we built it

The frontend was developed using React, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML to create an interactive and responsive user interface. For the backend, we used Flask (Python) to handle RESTful APIs and manage the logic behind the data processing. We retrieved JSON data from third-party APIs like NASA and Google Maps, formatted it in Python, and seamlessly integrated it into the system. To keep the code modular and maintainable, we followed factory coding principles throughout the development process.

Challenges we ran into

One of the main challenges was accurately displaying real-time disaster markers on the map. Ensuring data synchronization between the backend API and the frontend visualization required precise handling of API data and updates.

Achievements that we're proud of

Successfully retrieving and integrating real-time data from NASA was a major achievement. We also managed to figure out how to process and display complex datasets from multiple APIs in a way that’s user-friendly and easy to interact with.

What we learned

We learned how to work efficiently with third-party APIs, a key skill in software development. Additionally, we gained insight into best practices for safeguarding sensitive information, such as API tokens, when collaborating on code through GitHub

What's next for DisasterTrackingProject?

We're planning on continuing to enhance the system by adding more detailed disaster analytics and improving real-time data functionality, while ensuring all planned features are fully completed. We’re also looking forward to adding a feature that allows users to opt in and receive notifications about disasters happening in their location, giving them even more real-time, relevant information.