Module Assembly - TopCoder NodeJS Basic User Profile API

Project Overview

TopCoder and the TopCoder community have worked hard to get the platform to its currently level of maturity, but we're far from done. It's time to take the platform to the next level. TopCoder is going to start taking some steps to open up the platform API to the outside and community developers so they could incorporate it in their websites, applications or build their own applications (web, mobile or desktop).

The ultimate goal is to open up and build an "API" that is targeting all different type of audiences - Software and Studio Competitors, SRM/MM competitors, Copilots, Admins and TopCoder partners - each audience will have different interests and usages of the API, so it will be a huge project and we need to make sure that we are in the right direction from the beginning.

This contest is going to implement the Basic User Profile API as described at https://github.com/cloudspokes/tc-api/blob/baa04782cac724e10bd9ae97a7429b4b5b4e89b0/apiary.apib#L96-L354

Competition Task Overview

Please raise questions as quick as you can, I am familiar with related database and code base, I can provide as much support as I can.

The updated code must still deploy and work on heroku - any submission which can't be deployed on heroku successfully will be failed in screening phase - primary reviewer must check this.

The implementation will base on the node.js version of TC platform API - https://github.com/cloudspokes/tc-api. Please follow the existing actionhero pattern for your development.

For this contest, you are expected to implement the Basic User Profile API.

Basic User Profile API

This API is a general API for aggregating profile data for all tracks (Algorithm, Software and Studio), you can reference the API doc at https://github.com/cloudspokes/tc-api/blob/baa04782cac724e10bd9ae97a7429b4b5b4e89b0/apiary.apib#L96-L354, and update it if there is any change in forum.

the API is similar as v1 API like http://api.topcoder.com/rest/statistics/FireIce?user_key=68a1d84e471ba90ac8a55b01b75af6b7 and http://api.topcoder.com/rest/statistics/FireIce/achievements?user_key=68a1d84e471ba90ac8a55b01b75af6b7, so you can take that implementation as reference. The logic is inside the tc_platform_api.

Please find the following code for reference.

• StatisticsProfileServiceImpl
• StatisticsStudioProfileServiceImpl
• StatisticsCopilotProfileServiceImpl

Standarize Query Naming Convension

Currently, due to the limitation of nodejs-db-informix module (the camelcasing is ignored by the driver, and it comes through all lower case), even we are using challengeType in query, we have to use challengetype in code.  This makes the code hard to understand.

we like to use the underscore approach in all SQL queries under the queries directory (this is already carried out, not yet merged), you should follow same approach.

Notes, for the JSON data returned, we will still use camelCase approach (no changes needed).

Testing

The API Framework supports tests. Use supertest with mocha. Don't install mocha globally.

you must use mocha BDD style (which is the default), within that, you can optionally use chai.

Code Format

All code must pass jslint. You may use "nomen: true".

Winner Only

Winner will create pull request against the main github repo in final fix phase and help merge with master. The changed files should be unix style, you can use dos2unix command to convert it before commiting.

Reviewer Responsiblities

Reviewers need to write/update Supertest tests for the these APIs.

Note: Tests must follow this standard - Tests Creation Guide.docx

There are three roles:

• Accuracy - Tests the implementation on the accuracy of the results when using the component.
• Failure - Tests the implementation's ability to handle bad data and incorrect usage.
• Security - Tests the oauth, sql inject and other security related requirements.

Reviewer could send preferred role by Contact Manager after system selected the reviwer.

Copilot will assign the role to reviewers if reviewer didn't send the preferred role information.

Reviewer must create pull request from GitHub for the tests.

Virutal Machines (VMs)

VM specific information is found here: http://www.topcoder.com/wiki/display/docs/VM+Image+2.5

Upon registration as a submitter or reviewer you will need to request a VM based on the TopCoder systems image. The VM will be active through aggregation review, after which it will be terminated except for the winner's and the reviewers'. To request your image, please post in contest forum.

Before requesting your VM, you need to ensure that you have an SSH key created and in your member profile. Instructions to do so are here: http://www.topcoder.com/wiki/display/projects/Generate+SSH+Key, and instructions to connect afterwards are here: http://www.topcoder.com/wiki/display/projects/Connect+Using+SSH+Key.

Please realize that VMs are currently issued manually. We make every attempt to issue the VM as soon as it is requested, however, there may be delays of up to 12 hours depending on time of day when you request. We encourage everyone to request a VM as soon as possible to minimize any such delays.

Technology Overview

• JavaScript
• Node.js 0.10.x
• actionhero.js framework
• supertest
• mocha

Documentation Provided

Please check the deployment guide in codebase for reference.