WebhookDump is a web application engineered to intercept and store HTTP requests for subsequent analysis. It is equipped with three core functionalities:
- Unique URL Generation: Each client is provided with a unique URL.
- HTTP Request Reception: The application is capable of receiving HTTP requests, capturing all pertinent information such as the request body, headers, and more.
- Live Monitoring: This feature enables real-time monitoring of incoming requests, which is crucial for validating the proper operation of your webhooks.
To begin, I will employ a monolithic application structure and a single server to host all necessary components:
- Web Server: Utilizing Ruby on Rails, a server-side web application framework, the system manages incoming HTTP requests. It parses the request data and commits it to the database.
- Database: SQLite, a compact disk-based database, is used to store the parsed HTTP request data. It offers all the required functionality without the complexity of a full-scale server-based database management system.
- Real-Time Updates: Action Cable, an integral part of Ruby on Rails, facilitates the integration of WebSockets with the rest of the application. This allows for the development of real-time features in Ruby, which are seamlessly integrated with the server-side logic.
Technology Selection
The chosen technology stack is characterized by its simplicity, efficiency, and the harmonious interaction of its components:
- Ruby with Ruby on Rails: Ruby, an open-source programming language, emphasizes simplicity and productivity. Ruby on Rails, or simply Rails, is a server-side web application framework developed in Ruby. It adheres to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern, simplifying the management of the application’s data, user interface, and control flow.
- SQLite: SQLite is a C library that offers a compact, disk-based database. It eliminates the need for a separate server process and enables database access using a nonstandard variant of the SQL query language. It is ideal for both development and testing, and even for production in certain scenarios.
- WebSocket with Action Cable: WebSocket establishes a full-duplex communication channel over a single, persistent connection. It is ideal for real-time updates, a requirement for WebhookDump. Action Cable, a component of Rails, simplifies the use of WebSockets in the application.
My objective is to gain a profound understanding of the underlying technology, rather than merely piecing together packages and APIs.
Let’s embark on this journey. 🚀