Street Scout

"Where Local Finds Meet Hungry Minds!" Whether you're studying and get a serious craving for some spicy street food, or crave a midnight snack to accompany your Netflix binges, we've got you covered!

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Inspiration

The idea for Street Scout was born out of a shared frustration with the difficulty of discovering local street food gems in a new city. A personal anecdote involving a disappointing momo experience sparked the realization that many street vendors, particularly those offering authentic and unique cuisines, often go unnoticed by traditional mapping services. We envisioned a platform that could bridge this gap, connecting food enthusiasts with the hidden culinary treasures of their city.

What We Learned

This project was a significant learning experience, especially in understanding the complexities of integrating diverse technologies. We deepened our knowledge in areas like frontend-backend integration, containerization with Docker, and managing team collaboration.

How We Built the Project

  • Frontend Development: We used Next.js and MaterialUI to build a responsive and intuitive UI. Managing state with Redux, Context, and Zustand was challenging, but we found the right balance to ensure efficiency.
  • Backend Development: The backend, developed with Spring Boot, provided the necessary robustness. However, integrating it with the frontend was tricky due to API communication issues and data format mismatches, requiring deep debugging.
  • Docker and Deployment: Containerizing the app with Docker posed challenges, especially in configuring it for different environments. Deploying on AWS involved a steep learning curve, particularly with optimizing CI/CD pipelines.
  • Version Control and Collaboration: We encountered frequent merge conflicts, which we addressed through clear communication, a well-defined branching strategy, and implementing pre-commit hooks and CI checks to maintain code quality.

Challenges Faced

Some of the most significant challenges included:

  • Backend-Frontend Integration: Synchronizing data flows and handling edge cases where the backend and frontend weren’t perfectly in sync.
  • Docker Configuration: Ensuring that our Docker setup was consistent across different environments, which required deep troubleshooting and iterative testing.
  • Merge Conflicts: Regularly resolving conflicts in our codebase, which required us to refine our version control practices and improve team collaboration.

Accomplishments That We're Proud Of

  • Frontend-Backend Integration: Successfully integrated the frontend with the backend, overcoming challenges like mismatched data formats and API communication issues for a seamless user experience.
  • Docker Implementation: Containerized the application with Docker, solving complex dependency and environment challenges, resulting in a scalable, portable solution.
  • Team Collaboration: Improved workflow by managing version control and resolving merge conflicts through a clear branching strategy and pre-commit hooks, enhancing code quality.
  • Community Engagement: Implemented a referral system that increased platform visibility and fostered community involvement by encouraging users to invite unregistered vendors.
  • User-Centric Design: Created an aesthetically pleasing and functional UI using Next.js and MaterialUI, with positive feedback on vendor discovery and intuitive design.

Impact and Future Directions

Street Scout has the potential to revolutionize the way people discover and enjoy street food. By providing a dedicated platform for street vendors and food enthusiasts, we aim to create a thriving community centered around authentic culinary experiences.

Future development plans include expanding the platform's features with personalized food recommendations, real-time vendor location tracking, and integration with mobile payment systems. Collaborations with local food authorities and tourism boards are also on the horizon to promote street food culture and contribute to sustainable urban development.

Conclusion

This project was an intensive learning experience, requiring us to overcome technical challenges and work effectively as a team. It highlighted the importance of detailed planning, clear communication, and iterative problem-solving, all while addressing a real-world need—making it easier for people to discover and support local street vendors.

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