The Flask URL Shortener is a straightforward service for shortening long URLs. Built using Flask, MySQL, and Redis, it offers features such as JWT authentication, click analytics, and rate limiting. You can create short URLs, track their usage, and see where clicks come from—all in real time. This application is perfect for anyone who wants to shorten links easily while keeping track of their performance.

• Short URL Creation: Quickly generate short URLs from long links.
• Click Tracking: Monitor how many times your links are clicked.
• Geographic Analytics: View data on where your clicks come from.
• Temporal Analytics: Analyze when your links receive the most traffic.
• Rate Limiting: Control how often users can shorten URLs to prevent abuse.
• Caching with Redis: Speed up link lookups using Redis for quick access.
• User Authentication: Ensure only authorized users can manage links with JWT.

• Operating System: Windows, macOS, or Linux
• Python: Version 3.6 or higher
• MySQL: For database management
• Redis: For caching and performance

Follow these steps to get started with the URL Shortener:

1. Visit the Releases Page: Go to our releases page to download the software. Download Now

2. Choose the Latest Version: Look for the most recent release and click on it.

3. Download the Executable File: Select the executable file appropriate for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

4. Install Software: Follow the installation instructions based on your operating system.

5. Run the Application: After installation, open the application from your applications folder or start menu.

To download and install the URL Shortener service, simply visit the releases page: Download Now

Once there, follow these steps:

1. On the releases page, locate the latest version of the application.
2. Click on the link to download the appropriate file for your operating system.
3. After downloading, open the file and follow the installation steps.
4. Once installed, launch the application to begin shortening URLs.

After launching the application, you may need to configure your database. Here's how to set it up:

1. Database Connection: Open your Python script to configure the MySQL database. If you're unfamiliar with these steps, consult online resources for setting up MySQL connections in Python.
2. Set Up Redis: Ensure Redis is installed and running. The application uses Redis for caching hot URLs, which enhances performance.
3. JWT Authentication: Configure JWT settings to manage user authentication effectively.

Using the URL Shortener is straightforward:

1. Log In: If you have set up user accounts, log in using your credentials.
2. Shorten a URL: Enter your long URL in the text box and click the shorten button.
3. View Analytics: Access the analytics section to track clicks and view geographic data.

If you experience issues while using the URL Shortener, consider the following tips:

• Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
• Verify Database Settings: Double-check your MySQL and Redis configurations.
• Update Software: Always make sure you are using the latest version of the software.

If you need assistance or want to contribute to the project, please raise an issue on the GitHub repository. We welcome contributions and feedback to improve the URL Shortener further.

Special thanks to the libraries and frameworks that made this project possible, including Flask, MySQL, and Redis.

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for more details.