URL Trimmer

Overview

A secure, unlimited URL shortening service, meticulously designed by a cybersecurity engineer. With its simple web interface, users can effortlessly input lengthy URLs and receive shortened versions, streamlining the process of link distribution and sharing across various platforms.

How to Use

The user interface of the URL Shortening project is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind :

• Input Long URL : Start by entering the long URL that you wish to shorten, into the designated input field provided on the web page.
• Click Shorten : Once you've entered the long URL, proceed to click the Shorten button to initiate the shortening process.
• Copy Shortened URL : After the shortening process is complete, the shortened URL will be generated and displayed on the page. You can then conveniently copy it to your clipboard using the Copy button provided for easy sharing.

Working Mechanism

The URL Shortener functions through a series of systematic steps :

• User Input : Users interact with the URL Shortener by entering a long URL into the provided input field on the web interface. This input field serves as the entry point for the URL shortening process.
• Validation : Upon submission of the long URL, the input undergoes validation to ensure it conforms to a proper URL format. This validation step is crucial for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the shortening process.
• Shortening Process : After successful validation, the URL Shortener proceeds to shorten the long URL by generating a unique shortened version. This process typically involves utilizing a hashing algorithm, such as SHA-256, to create a compact representation of the original URL.

4. Database Storage : Once the shortened URL is generated, both the original long URL and its corresponding shortened version are securely stored in a MySQL database.
5. Return Shortened URL : Upon successful completion of the shortening process and database storage, the shortened URL is promptly returned to the user.

Files & Components

• index.html : HTML file serving as the primary interface for users to input long URLs and view shortened versions.
• shorten.php : PHP script responsible for processing long URLs, generating shortened versions, and securely storing them in the MySQL database.
• redirect.php : PHP script managing the redirection of shortened URLs to their original long versions.
• styles.css : CSS file containing styles to enhance the visual presentation and user experience of the web interface.
• script.js : JavaScript functionalities handling client-side validation and user interaction.