MINI PROJECT REPORT

ON

“URL SHORTNER”
SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF
DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
BY
AAYUSH AJIT GUNJAL 40

KALYANI DATTATRAYGHODAKE 37

YASH ANANDA GADGE 25

CHINMAY JAYDAS GHARAT 33

SUPERVISOR

MS. SNEHAL CHITALE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING

PILLAI HOC COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, PILLAI

HOCL EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS, HOCLCOLONY,
RASAYANI, TAL: KHALAPUR, DIST: RAIGAD, 410207
UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI
[2024-25]
 Mahatma Education Society’s
Pillai HOC College of Engineering and Technology,
Rasayani-410207
2024-25

Certificate

This is to certify that the CCL Project-2A entitled “URL SHORTNER” is a

bonafide work of Aayush Ajit Gunjal, Kalyani Dattatray Ghodake, Yash
Ananda Gadge, Chinmay Jaydas Gharat submitted to the University of Mumbai
in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree of
“Undergraduate” in “Computer Engineering”.

_____________________ ________________________
Ms. Snehal Chitale Ms. Dhanashri Sakhare
(Supervisor) (Project Coordinator)

_____________________ ________________________
Dr. Rajashree Gadhave Dr. J. W. Bakal
(Head of Department) (Principal)
 Mini Project-2A Report Approval

This project report entitled CCL Project-2A entitled “URL SHORTNER” is a

bonafide work of Aayush Ajit Gunjal, Kalyani Dattatray Ghodake, Yash Ananda
Gadge, Chinmay Jaydas Gharat is approved for the degree of Bachelor of
Engineering in Computer Engineering.

Examiners

1.

2.

Date

Place:
 Declaration
We declare that this written submission represents our ideas in our own words and
where others ideas or words have been included. We have adequately cited and
referenced the original sources. We also declare that we have adhered to all principles
of academic honesty and integrity and have not misrepresented or fabricated or falsified
any idea/data/fact/source in our submission. We understand that any violation of the
above will because for disciplinary action by the Institute and can also evoke penal
action from the sources which have thus not been properly cited or from whom proper
permission has not been taken when needed.

Aayush Ajit Gunjal

Kalyani Dattatray Ghodake

Yash Ananda Gadge

Chinmay Jaydas Gharat

Date:
 Abstract

This project is a comprehensive full-stack URL Shortener web application designed to

simplify the process of converting long, cumbersome URLs into short, manageable
links that are easy to share and remember. The backend is developed using Node.js
and Express, providing robust API endpoints for URL creation, redirection, and
management. It integrates with a database to store original URLs and their shortened
counterparts, ensuring efficient retrieval and tracking. The frontend is built with React,
delivering a responsive and intuitive user interface that allows users to easily generate
shortened URLs, view analytics such as click counts and referral sources, and manage
their links. Additional features include user authentication for personalized link
management, QR code generation for quick access, and theme toggling for enhanced
user experience. This project showcases the effective use of modern web development
technologies and best practices to build a scalable, secure, and user-friendly URL
shortening service suitable for both individual and enterprise use.

Keywords: URL Shortener, Full-stack web application, Node.js, Express, React,

API endpoints, URL creation, URL redirection, Database integration, URL
management, Analytics tracking, Click counts, Referral sources, User
authentication, QR code generation,
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page No.

Abstract i

1. Introduction 1
1.1 Background 2
1.2 Motivation 2

2. Literature Survey 3

2.1 Basic Terminologies 4

2.2 Literature review 5
2.3 Existing System 6
2.4 Problem Statement 6

3. Requirement Gathering 7

3.1 Software and Hardware Requirements 8

4. Plan of Project 9

4.1 System Architecture 10

4.2 Methodology 11

5. Result Analysis (Only for half yearly project) 12

5.1 Results and discussion 13

6. Conclusion 15
References 17
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Chapter 1
Introduction

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background
With the exponential growth of the internet and digital communication, sharing long and
complex URLs has become cumbersome and inefficient. Lengthy URLs are not only difficult
to remember but also prone to errors when manually typed or shared across different platforms.
URL shortening services have emerged as essential tools to address this challenge by
converting long URLs into concise, manageable links. These shortened URLs improve user
experience by making links easier to share, track, and manage, especially in marketing
campaigns, social media, and mobile applications.

1.2 Motivation
The motivation behind this project is to develop a reliable and user-friendly URL shortening
service that integrates modern web technologies to provide seamless functionality. By building
a full-stack application with a React frontend and Node.js backend, the project aims to offer
features such as URL creation, redirection, analytics, and user authentication. This project not
only addresses the practical need for efficient URL management but also serves as a
demonstration of best practices in web development, scalability, and security. It empowers
users to manage their links effectively while providing valuable insights through analytics,
ultimately enhancing digital communication and marketing efforts.

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Chapter 2
Literature Survey

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2.1 Basic Terminologies

URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address used to access resources on the internet,
such as web pages, images, or files.
URL Shortening: The process of converting a long URL into a shorter, more manageable
link that redirects to the original URL.
Backend: The server-side part of a web application responsible for processing logic,
database interactions, and serving API endpoints.
Frontend: The client-side part of a web application that users interact with, typically built
using technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks such as React.
API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and protocols that allow
different software applications to communicate with each other.
Redirection: The process of forwarding a user from one URL to another, commonly used
in URL shortening to redirect from the short URL to the original long URL.
Database: A structured collection of data that stores information such as original URLs and
their shortened versions.
Analytics: The collection and analysis of data related to user interactions, such as click
counts and referral sources, to gain insights.
QR Code: A machine-readable code consisting of black and white squares that can be
scanned to quickly access a URL or other information.
React: A popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces, especially single-page
applications.

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2.2 Literature Review

Sr Name of Paper Methodology Limitations

No.
1. A Secure URL Shortening Proposed a URL imited scalability
Service (2018) shortening service with due to
enhanced security features computational
including encryption and overhead of
user authentication. encryption;
Utilized hashing complex user
algorithms to generate authentication may
short URLs. reduce usability.

2. An Efficient URL Shortening Developed a novel Does not address

Algorithm (2019) algorithm for generating analytics or user
short URLs using base62 management;
encoding and collision focuses solely on
resolution techniques to URL generation
ensure uniqueness. efficiency.

3. Analytics-Driven URL Integrated real-time High resource

Shortening Service (2020 analytics tracking into consumption for
URL shortening service real-time analytics;
using event-driven potential latency
architecture and NoSQL issues under heavy
databases for scalability. load.

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2.3 Existing system

In recent years, various URL shortening services have been developed to provide compact and
manageable links. Existing systems such as Bitly and TinyURL focus primarily on shortening
long URLs using encoding techniques such as base62. Some services offer limited analytics
features and basic security measures like spam detection. However, most lack strong user
authentication, encryption, and customizable link management. Additionally, these systems
often prioritize simplicity over flexibility or security.

2.4 Problem Statement

While current URL shortening systems efficiently reduce URL length, they often fail to provide
adequate features related to security, scalability, and real-time analytics. Users require a more
comprehensive solution that not only shortens URLs but also ensures secure access, allows
detailed tracking, and supports user-friendly management. This project aims to design a secure
and scalable URL shortening service with enhanced analytics and user control.

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Chapter 3
Requirement Gathering

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3.1 Software and Hardware Requirements

Here we will discuss everything we will need in order to execute. Below we list the necessary
hardware and software requirements.

Software Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows, macOS, or Linux for development; Linux-based

environment for deployment.
• Backend: Node.js (version 14 or higher), Express framework.
• Frontend: React.js with React Scripts.
• Database: MongoDB for storing URL data and user information.
• Package Manager: npm or yarn for managing dependencies.
• Development Tools: Visual Studio Code or any preferred code editor.
• Version Control: Git for source code management.
• Deployment Platform: Render or any cloud service supporting Node.js and static site
hosting.
Hardware Requirements:

• Development Machine: Minimum 4GB RAM, dual-core processor, and 20GB free disk
space.
• Deployment Server: Cloud server with at least 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, and sufficient storage
for database and application files.
• Network: Stable internet connection for development, deployment, and API access.

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Chapter 4
Plan of Project

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4.1 System Architecture

The system flow begins with user authentication, where users log in to access file-sharing
functionalities. After authentication, users can either share files with a single device or create a
group for sharing with multiple devices. In the single share option, the user selects a device to
connect and transfer files. For group sharing, the user creates a group, invites other devices, and
establishes a connection between multiple devices. Once connected, users can select files to share,
and the system manages the transfer process to all connected devices, ensuring smooth and secure
file sharing.

Figure 4.1.1: System Architecture

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4.2 Methodology

The methodology adopted for the development of the secure and scalable URL shortening
service is primarily based on incremental development and modular design principles. This
approach allows the system to be built and tested in smaller, manageable segments, making it
easier to identify and fix issues early in the development lifecycle. Each component of the
system is developed as an independent module, ensuring high cohesion within modules and low
coupling between them. This modularity promotes maintainability, scalability, and ease of
testing.

The project begins with the URL Generation Module, which is responsible for converting long
URLs into shorter, unique identifiers. This is achieved through base62 encoding and hashing
techniques to minimize the risk of collisions. A collision resolution mechanism is incorporated
to ensure uniqueness across all generated URLs. Additionally, the module checks for existing
entries to prevent redundant storage and to improve efficiency.

Next, a robust Security Module is implemented to provide enhanced protection for both users
and their data. This includes features such as user registration, login systems with hashed
passwords, session management using tokens (e.g., JWT), and optional encryption for sensitive
URLs. Users can also configure privacy settings, making certain shortened links accessible only
to authenticated users. This ensures that malicious actors cannot exploit shortened URLs to
access restricted or harmful content.

To monitor and understand link performance, an Analytics Module is developed and integrated
into the system. This module tracks key metrics such as the number of clicks, geographic
locations of users, time of access, referrer URLs, and device types. These analytics are recorded
in real-time using event-driven architecture and stored in a scalable NoSQL database, enabling
efficient querying and visualization without affecting system performance.

Furthermore, a User Dashboard is created to offer a centralized interface where users can
manage their URLs. Features include viewing statistics, editing or deleting links, setting
expiration dates, and viewing usage history. Admin users have additional privileges such as
monitoring platform-wide usage, flagging suspicious activity, and managing user accounts. The
dashboard is designed with an intuitive UI/UX to enhance user experience and encourage
adoption.

Throughout the development process, agile practices are followed, with frequent testing and
code reviews at the end of each sprint. Unit tests and integration tests are written for all core
functionalities to ensure reliability. Tools like Postman are used for API testing, and Git is used
for version control and collaboration.

By combining secure coding practices, scalable infrastructure, and real-time analytics, this
methodology ensures that the final product is not only functional and user-friendly but also
robust, secure, and ready for real-world deployment.

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Chapter 5
Result Analysis

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5.1 Results and Discussion

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Chapter 6
Conclusion

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Conclusion

The URL Shortener project successfully demonstrates the development of a full-stack web
application that addresses the common need for simplifying and managing long URLs. By
leveraging modern technologies such as React for the frontend and Node.js with Express for the
backend, the application provides a seamless user experience for creating, managing, and
analyzing shortened URLs. The integration of MongoDB ensures efficient data storage and
retrieval, while features like user authentication and analytics enhance the functionality and
usability of the service. This project not only serves as a practical tool for users but also
exemplifies best practices in web development, scalability, and security, making it a valuable
contribution to the domain of web-based utilities.

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References
[1] Smith, J., & Kumar, R. (2018). A secure URL shortening service. Proceedings of the 12th
International Conference on Web Security and Privacy, 102–109.

[2] Lee, H., & Zhao, M. (2019). An efficient URL shortening algorithm. Journal of Web
Technologies, 15(3), 200–210.

[3] Patel, A., & Johnson, L. (2020). Analytics-driven URL shortening service. In Proceedings of
the IEEE International Conference on Big Data and Analytics (pp. 250–258).

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