Project Description
The "Weather API" project aims to develop a comprehensive API that provides weather forecasts, weather alerts, and supports user preferences for units of measurement. This API will allow users to check the weather for their location, receive timely alerts about severe weather conditions, and customize their experience by setting preferred units (e.g., Celsius or Fahrenheit).
Detailed Description
Weather information is essential for planning daily activities, travel, and ensuring safety during severe weather conditions. This project will create an API that offers accurate and up-to-date weather data, helping users stay informed and prepared. Here’s a detailed look at how users will interact with the app:
User Registration and Authentication:
Sign Up: New users can create an account by providing a username, email, and password. A confirmation email will be sent to verify the account.
Login: Registered users can log in using their email and password. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be supported for added security.
Location Management:
Set Location: Users can set their current location manually or allow the app to detect it automatically using GPS.
Save Multiple Locations: Users can save multiple locations to quickly check the weather in different areas (e.g., home, work, travel destinations).
Weather Forecasts:
Current Weather: Users can check the current weather conditions for their selected location, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation.
Daily Forecast: Users can view the weather forecast for the next seven days, with detailed information for each day.
Hourly Forecast: Users can see the weather forecast for the next 24 hours, with updates every hour.
Weather Alerts:
Severe Weather Alerts: Users will receive alerts about severe weather conditions such as storms, floods, and heatwaves. These alerts will include details about the nature of the threat and recommended actions.
Custom Alerts: Users can set custom alerts for specific weather conditions, such as temperature drops or high wind speeds.
Preferences and Settings:
Units of Measurement: Users can choose their preferred units for temperature (Celsius or Fahrenheit), wind speed (mph or km/h), and other measurements.
Notification Settings: Users can customize their notification preferences, choosing how and when they want to receive weather alerts (e.g., email, SMS, push notifications).
Real-World Example
Consider Sarah, who relies on accurate weather information to plan her daily commute and outdoor activities. Sarah signs up for an account using her email and sets her home and work locations. She prefers to see the temperature in Celsius and wind speed in km/h.
Each morning, Sarah checks the current weather and the daily forecast to decide whether to take an umbrella or wear a jacket. She also receives real-time alerts on her phone about any severe weather conditions, such as thunderstorms or high winds, ensuring she can take necessary precautions.
When planning a weekend trip, Sarah saves her travel destination as an additional location. She checks the weather forecast there to pack appropriately and stay informed about any weather-related risks.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
The "Weather API" project aims to develop a comprehensive API that provides accurate weather forecasts, weather alerts, and supports user preferences for units of measurement. Users will be able to check the weather for their location, receive alerts about severe weather, and customize their experience.
2. Objectives
Allow users to sign up, log in, and manage their accounts.
Enable users to set and manage their locations.
Provide current weather conditions, daily and hourly forecasts.
Send real-time weather alerts to users.
Support user preferences for units of measurement and notification settings.
3. Functional Requirements
User Management
Sign Up: Users can create an account by providing a username, email, and password.
Login: Users can log in using their email and password.
Profile Management: Users can update their profile information and preferences.
Location Management
Set Location: Users can manually set or automatically detect their location.
Save Multiple Locations: Users can save multiple locations for quick access.
Weather Information
Current Weather: Users can view the current weather conditions.
Daily Forecast: Users can view the weather forecast for the next seven days.
Hourly Forecast: Users can view the weather forecast for the next 24 hours.
Weather Alerts
Severe Weather Alerts: Users receive alerts about severe weather conditions.
Custom Alerts: Users can set custom alerts for specific weather conditions.
Preferences and Settings
Units of Measurement: Users can set their preferred units for temperature, wind speed, etc.
Notification Settings: Users can customize their notification preferences.
4. Non-Functional Requirements
Scalability: The API should handle a growing number of users and locations.
Performance: The API should have a fast response time and handle concurrent requests efficiently.
Security: Implement authentication and authorization mechanisms to protect user data.
Reliability: The API should be highly available and handle failures gracefully.
Usability: The API should be easy to use and well-documented.
5. Use Cases
User Sign Up and Login: New users sign up and existing users log in.
Set and Manage Locations: Users set and manage their preferred locations.
Check Weather Information: Users check current weather, daily, and hourly forecasts.
Receive Weather Alerts: Users receive alerts for severe weather conditions.
Customize Preferences: Users set their preferred units of measurement and notification settings.
6. User Stories
As a user, I want to sign up for an account so that I can save my preferred locations.
As a user, I want to log in to my account so that I can access my weather information.
As a user, I want to set my location so that I can check the weather for where I am.
As a user, I want to save multiple locations so that I can quickly check the weather for different places.
As a user, I want to view the current weather so that I can know the conditions right now.
As a user, I want to view the daily forecast so that I can plan my activities for the week.
As a user, I want to view the hourly forecast so that I can plan my activities for the day.
As a user, I want to receive alerts for severe weather so that I can stay safe.
As a user, I want to set custom alerts so that I am notified of specific weather conditions.
As a user, I want to choose my units of measurement so that the weather information is displayed in my preferred format.
As a user, I want to customize my notification settings so that I receive alerts in my preferred way.
7. Technical Requirements
Programming Language: Choose an appropriate backend language (e.g., Node.js, Python, Ruby).
Database: Use a database to store user, location, and weather data (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB).
Authentication: Implement JWT for secure user authentication.
Weather Data Source: Integrate with a reliable weather data provider (e.g., OpenWeatherMap, Weatherstack).
Real-Time Communication: Use WebSockets or similar technology for real-time weather alerts.
API Documentation: Use Swagger or similar tools for API documentation.
8. API Endpoints
User Management
POST /signup: Register a new user.POST /login: Authenticate a user.GET /profile: Get user profile details.PUT /profile: Update user profile.
Location Management
POST /locations: Add a new location.GET /locations: Retrieve saved locations.DELETE /locations/{id}: Delete a saved location.
Weather Information
GET /weather/current: Get the current weather for a location.GET /weather/daily: Get the daily forecast for a location.GET /weather/hourly: Get the hourly forecast for a location.
Weather Alerts
GET /alerts: Retrieve active weather alerts.POST /alerts/custom: Set custom weather alerts.
Preferences and Settings
PUT /preferences/units: Set preferred units of measurement.PUT /preferences/notifications: Update notification settings.
9. Security
Use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit.
Implement input validation and sanitization to prevent SQL injection and XSS attacks.
Use strong password hashing algorithms like bcrypt.
10. Performance
Implement caching strategies to improve response times.
Optimize database queries to handle large datasets efficiently.
Use load balancing to distribute traffic evenly across servers.
11. Documentation
Provide comprehensive API documentation using tools like Swagger.
Create user guides and developer documentation to assist with integration and usage.
12. Glossary
API: Application Programming Interface.
JWT: JSON Web Token.
CRUD: Create, Read, Update, Delete.
MFA: Multi-Factor Authentication.
GPS: Global Positioning System.
13. Appendix
Include any relevant diagrams, data models, and additional references.
