Real Time Tracker

Project Overview

The Real-Time Tracker is a web-based application built using Node.js, Express, and Socket.io, designed to track users' locations in real-time. This project utilizes the browser's Geolocation API to capture the user's current location and update it on a live map interface. The application demonstrates how to use WebSockets to achieve real-time communication between the server and clients, ensuring that location updates are immediately reflected on the map.

Features

• Real-Time Location Tracking:

  • Users' locations are tracked in real-time using the Geolocation API.
  • The application updates the map with the current location of each connected user.

• Live Map Interface:

  • The application uses Leaflet.js to display a live map, which is dynamically updated with users' locations.
  • Users' locations are marked on the map with markers, and these markers update as users move.

• User Connection Management:

  • When a user disconnects from the application, their marker is removed from the map.
  • The system efficiently handles multiple users, ensuring smooth real-time updates.

Technologies Used

• Node.js: Server-side JavaScript runtime used for building the backend of the application.
• Express.js: A web framework for Node.js that simplifies server creation and routing.
• Socket.io: A library that enables real-time, bi-directional communication between web clients and servers.
• EJS (Embedded JavaScript): A templating engine used to generate dynamic HTML content on the server side.
• Leaflet.js: An open-source JavaScript library used to build interactive maps.
• Geolocation API: A browser API used to get the geographical position of a user.

File Structure

• app.js: The main server file that sets up the Express server, Socket.io, and handles routing.
• views/index.ejs: The main HTML template that renders the map and includes the necessary scripts for the application.
• public/js/script.js: The client-side JavaScript that handles geolocation, WebSocket communication, and map updates.
• package.json: Contains the project metadata, including dependencies and scripts.

Installation and Setup

1. Clone the Repository:

   • Clone this project repository to your local machine using the following command:

     git clone <repository-url>
     

2. Install Dependencies:

   • Navigate to the project directory and install the necessary dependencies using npm:

     cd real-time-tracker
     npm install
     

3. Run the Server:

   • Start the server by running the following command:

     npm start
     

   • The server will start on port 3000 by default. You can access the application by navigating to http://localhost:3000 in your web browser.

4. View Real-Time Tracking:

   • Open the application in your web browser. The map will automatically update to show your current location. If multiple users are connected, you will see their locations as well.

Usage

• Real-Time Updates:

  • As you move, your location is automatically sent to the server and broadcasted to all connected clients.
  • Other users' locations will also appear on your map, updating in real-time as they move.

• Handling Disconnections:

  • If a user disconnects, their location marker is removed from the map.

Future Enhancements

• User Authentication:

  • Implement user authentication to track individual users by name or ID.

• Location History:

  • Add a feature to display a user's movement history on the map.

• Custom Map Layers:

  • Integrate additional map layers or styles for enhanced map visualization.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.