Introduction
I developed a complete full stack application that allows parents, leaders and supporters to easily order pasta online for our annual pasta day of the oldest section.
At Scouts and Guides Retie, we organize a cozy pasta day every year in favor of our oldest section, the Givers. Where we used to work with a Google Form to collect orders, this year we chose a more professional approach.
To have more control over the ordering process, design and data processing, I developed my own full stack web application. This application allows parents, leaders and supporters to place their pasta order online in a user-friendly way.
In addition to a smoother ordering experience, the application also offers a clear administration screen for the organizers. Here orders can be easily managed and there are handy print functions for printing individual order cards per table. This way we ensure a smooth pasta day, both for visitors and for the kitchen team.
Realization
For the development of the application, I chose a modern full stack approach, where ease of use, scalability and simple maintainability are central.
The backend is built with Node.js and Express, where the data is stored in a MongoDB Atlas database. There is one clear schema in which all orders are tracked, which makes processing and retrieving data efficient.
The frontend was developed in Vue.js 3, in combination with PrimeVue for designing an intuitive and responsive user interface. For authentication within the management panel, I used Firebase Authentication, so that only authorized persons have access to the administration screen.
With every order, the user and I automatically receive a confirmation email, sent via Nodemailer.
The application was hosted as follows:
- Frontend on a domain I got through school: www.maximpeeters.be, hosted via Combell.
- Backend via Vercel, which ensures fast and stable hosting of the API.
This technical setup resulted in a reliable and professional-looking solution that provides both users and organizers with a smoother experience during the annual pasta day.
Reflection
During the development of this ordering tool, I learned a lot about setting up a complete full stack application, from backend to frontend. I further deepened my knowledge of Node.js, Express and MongoDB, especially in structuring data and setting up an efficient API. Working with Vue.js 3 and PrimeVue also strengthened my skills in building modern, user-friendly interfaces.
Additionally, I gained experience implementing authentication via Firebase and sending automatic emails with Nodemailer. Hosting the different parts on separate platforms (Combell and Vercel) taught me more about managing and deploying web applications in practice.
Finally, I learned how important it is to not only build an application technically well, but also to ensure a smooth user experience and simple management for the organizers. I take these insights with me to future projects.