Managing finances is essential for individuals and businesses, and a budget tracker tool makes it easy to monitor income, expenses, and savings goals. In this guide, we will walk through the steps to create a budget tracker tool using React.js for the user interface, Express.js for handling APIs, and SQLite for data storage.
This project introduces practical techniques like building dashboards, securely handling data input/output, and generating visual reports using charts. Let’s dive into the details and build an efficient tool to simplify budgeting.
Setting Up the Project Structure
To start, set up your project directory structure:
/budget-tracker-tool ├── client/ (React.js Front-End) │ ├── public/ │ ├── src/ │ │ ├── components/ │ │ ├── App.js │ │ └── index.js │ └── package.json ├── server/ (Express.js Back-End) │ ├── routes/ │ ├── database/ │ ├── server.js │ └── package.json
Front-End: Building a User-Friendly Dashboard with React.js
1. Set Up React
Create a React application for the front-end. Run the following commands:
bash
# npx create-react-app client # cd client # npm start
2. Create Components
In the src/components folder, create components for your dashboard:
-
- IncomeForm.js for income input.
- ExpenseForm.js for expenses.
- BudgetChart.js for visualizing financial data.
Example: IncomeForm.js
jsx
import React, { useState } from "react";
const IncomeForm = ({ addIncome }) => {
const [amount, setAmount] = useState("");
const [description, setDescription] = useState("");
const handleSubmit = (e) => {
e.preventDefault();
addIncome({ description, amount: parseFloat(amount) });
setAmount("");
setDescription("");
};
return (
<form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
<input
type="text"
placeholder="Income Source"
value={description}
onChange={(e) => setDescription(e.target.value)}
required
/>
<input
type="number"
placeholder="Amount"
value={amount}
onChange={(e) => setAmount(e.target.value)}
required
/>
<button type="submit">Add Income</button>
</form>
);
};
export default IncomeForm;
3. Integrate Chart.js for Visual Reports
Install Chart.js for data visualization:
bash
npm install chart.js react-chartjs-2
Create the BudgetChart.js component:
import React from "react";
import { Doughnut } from "react-chartjs-2";
const BudgetChart = ({ data }) => {
const chartData = {
labels: ["Income", "Expenses", "Savings"],
datasets: [
{
data: [data.income, data.expenses, data.savings],
backgroundColor: ["#36A2EB", "#FF6384", "#FFCE56"],
},
],
};
return <Doughnut data={chartData} />;
};
export default BudgetChart;
4. Dashboard Layout
Combine components in App.js:
jsx
import React, { useState } from "react";
import IncomeForm from "./components/IncomeForm";
import BudgetChart from "./components/BudgetChart";
const App = () => {
const [data, setData] = useState({ income: 0, expenses: 0, savings: 0 });
const addIncome = (income) => {
setData((prevData) => ({
...prevData,
income: prevData.income + income.amount,
}));
};
return (
<div>
<h1>Budget Tracker</h1>
<IncomeForm addIncome={addIncome} />
<BudgetChart data={data} />
</div>
);
};
export default App;
Back-End: APIs with Express.js
1. Set Up Express.js
Initialize the server directory:
bash
# mkdir server # cd server # npm init -y # npm install express sqlite3 body-parser cors
2. Create API Routes
Create routes/budget.js to handle income and expense data:
const express = require("express");
const router = express.Router();
const db = require("../database/db");
router.post("/add", (req, res) => {
const { type, description, amount } = req.body;
db.run(
"INSERT INTO transactions (type, description, amount) VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
[type, description, amount],
(err) => {
if (err) return res.status(500).send(err.message);
res.send("Transaction added successfully");
}
);
});
router.get("/report", (req, res) => {
db.all("SELECT * FROM transactions", [], (err, rows) => {
if (err) return res.status(500).send(err.message);
res.json(rows);
});
});
module.exports = router;
3. Connect SQLite Database
Create database/db.js:
javascript
const sqlite3 = require("sqlite3").verbose();
const db = new sqlite3.Database(":memory:");
db.serialize(() => {
db.run(
"CREATE TABLE transactions (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, type TEXT, description TEXT, amount REAL)"
);
});
module.exports = db;
4. Start the Server
Update server.js
javascript
const express = require("express");
const bodyParser = require("body-parser");
const cors = require("cors");
const budgetRoutes = require("./routes/budget");
const app = express();
app.use(cors());
app.use(bodyParser.json());
app.use("/budget", budgetRoutes);
app.listen(5000, () => console.log("Server running on port 5000"));
Conclusion
Creating a budget tracker tool combines user-friendly front-end design with secure back-end handling and insightful data visualization. By leveraging React.js, Express.js, and SQLite, you’ve built a powerful application to help users track finances effectively. Expand this project by adding features like authentication, export to CSV, or cloud-based syncing for enhanced usability.
FAQs
What technologies are used for a budget tracker tool?
React.js for UI, Express.js for APIs, and SQLite for data storage.
How do I ensure data security in a budget tracker app?
Implement server-side validation and HTTPS for secure data transmission.
Can I add authentication to this tool?
Yes, use tools like Passport.js or JWT for user authentication.
What chart library is suitable for financial data?
Chart.js is great for creating interactive and responsive financial charts.
Can I deploy this project online?
Yes, deploy the front-end with Vercel or Netlify and the back-end with Heroku or AWS.
Is SQLite scalable for larger projects?
For larger projects, consider switching to PostgreSQL or MySQL.
A big thank you for exploring TechsBucket! Your visit means a lot to us, and we’re grateful for your time on our platform. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we’d love to hear them.
