URL Shortener Deno • Fulldroper`s personal site

The purpose of the project was to create a URL shortener using Deno.js to gain programming skills in Deno.

The project is useful as it provides a practical application for learning and using Deno.js, a modern runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript.

How the project works

The URL shortener takes a long URL and generates a shortened version. When a user accesses the shortened URL, they are redirected to the original long URL. The project involves creating and managing these shortened URLs in a Deno environment.

Repository Link and Installation

You can find the repository and installation instructions at the following link: URL Shortener Deno

Algorithm and Code Examples

Setting Up Deno Server

import { Application, Router } from "https://deno.land/x/oak/mod.ts";

const app = new Application();
const router = new Router();

router.get("/", (context) => {
  context.response.body = "URL Shortener";
});

app.use(router.routes());
app.use(router.allowedMethods());

await app.listen({ port: 8000 });
console.log("Server is running on http://localhost:8000");

Creating Shortened URL

router.post("/shorten", async (context) => {
  const body = await context.request.body().value;
  const originalUrl = body.url;
  const shortUrl = generateShortUrl();
  // Store in database (omitted for brevity)
  context.response.body = { shortUrl };
});

function generateShortUrl(): string {
  return Math.random().toString(36).substring(2, 8);
}

Redirecting to Original URL

router.get("/:shortUrl", (context) => {
  const shortUrl = context.params.shortUrl;
  const originalUrl = findOriginalUrl(shortUrl);
  if (originalUrl) {
    context.response.redirect(originalUrl);
  } else {
    context.response.status = 404;
    context.response.body = "URL not found";
  }
});

function findOriginalUrl(shortUrl: string): string | null {
  // Retrieve from database (omitted for brevity)
  return "http://example.com"; // Placeholder
}

Skills Acquired

Programming with Deno.js
Building web applications with Deno and Oak framework
Creating and managing URL shorteners
Working with HTTP requests and routing