10 Practical Components to Build While Learning MERN Stack

The MERN stack—comprising MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js—is an excellent choice for full-stack development. If you’re diving into MERN development and prefer a hands-on approach, building modular components is a great way to hone your skills. Here are 10 practical components and features you can create to strengthen your MERN stack expertise:

*1. Authentication System
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Start with the basics: create secure login and sign-up forms. Add validation on both the frontend (React) and backend (Node.js with Express). Use JSON Web Tokens (JWT) for user authentication and include a "Forgot Password" feature to handle password resets.

Key Features:

• User authentication with JWT.
• Password hashing using Bcrypt.
• Email-based password reset functionality.

2. User Dashboard

Design a personalized dashboard that displays user-specific data after login. This project will help you manage protected routes and dynamically fetch user-related content from your backend.

Key Features:

• Personalized greetings.
• Display recent activity or saved items.
• Editable profile information.

*3. CRUD Operations
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CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations are the backbone of any application. For practice, build a task manager or a simple blog application.

Key Features:

• Add, view, edit, and delete tasks or posts.
• Maintain a database using MongoDB.
• Use pagination for listing tasks or posts.

*4. E-Commerce Features
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Step into the world of e-commerce by creating components for product listing, cart management, and order processing.

Key Features:

• Product filtering and sorting.
• Cart and wishlist functionality.
• Order summary and history pages.

*5. Social Media Features
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Simulate a mini social network by creating user profiles, a follow/unfollow system, and post interactions.

Key Features:

• User profiles with editable details.
• Post creation, likes, and comments.
• Display a feed of posts from followed users.

*6. File Management System
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Implement a file upload and management system to allow users to upload profile pictures or documents.

Key Features:

• File upload using Multer.
• Display uploaded files in the user interface.
• Limit file types and sizes for uploads.

*7. Real-time Features
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Build real-time functionality like chat or notifications using Socket.io. This will help you learn how to handle WebSocket communication.

Key Features:

• Real-time messaging between users.
• Live notifications for actions like receiving a message or a new follower.
• Indication of online/offline status.

*8. Admin Panel
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Create an admin dashboard to manage users, content, and analytics. This project will teach you about role-based access control (RBAC).

Key Features:

• View and manage users.
• Assign roles and permissions.
• Display site activity metrics.

*9. API Integration
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Practice integrating third-party APIs by building a feature-rich application.

Key Features:

• Integrate a weather API to display forecasts.
• Fetch news articles from a public news API.
• Combine multiple APIs for a dashboard-like experience.

*10. Mapping and Location Features
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Learn how to work with location-based features using mapping APIs like Google Maps.

Key Features:

• Add a map interface.
• Allow users to pin and search locations.
• Display routes between two points.

*Final Thoughts
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Building modular components not only enhances your technical knowledge but also gives you a portfolio of mini-projects to showcase your skills. Start with simpler components and gradually move to more complex features. By the time you’ve completed these projects, you’ll be proficient in the MERN stack and ready to tackle full-scale applications.

Author Of article : Kajal Deore Read full article