Voting System Project

Overview

A C++ voting application with Qt integration that manages users, polls, and voting records with CSV data persistence.

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Key Features

User Management

• Account creation with secure password hashing
• User authentication (login)
• Profile editing (username, personal info, password changes)
• Data validation for all user inputs

Poll System

• Create polls with multiple options
• Modify existing poll options
• Close/open polls
• View real-time voting results
• Prevent voting in own polls

Data Management

• CSV file storage (users, polls, options, votes)
• Automatic data directory creation
• Custom MeshVector container for in-memory storage
• Data validation and error handling

Security

• Password hashing with user-specific salts
• Input sanitization
• Bounds checking on all container operations
• File operation error handling

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Code Structure

src/
├── core/
│   ├── data_structures.hpp     # Custom MeshVector implementation
│   ├── db.hpp                  # Database interface
│   └── _db_structs.hpp         # Core data structures
├── services/
│   ├── hash.[hpp/cpp]          # Password hashing
│   ├── poll.cpp                # Poll logic
│   ├── user.cpp                # User management
│   └── data_persistence.cpp    # CSV read/write
├── _structs.hpp                # DTO structures
└── services.hpp                # Public API

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Getting Started

Prerequisites

• C++17 compatible compiler
• Qt development libraries
• CMake (recommended)

Building

1. Clone the repository

2. Create build directory:

   mkdir build && cd build

3. Run CMake:

   cmake ..

4. Compile:

   make

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Configuration

The application automatically creates a data/ directory containing:

• users.csv – User accounts
• polls.csv – Poll definitions
• pollOptions.csv – Voting options
• userVotes.csv – Voting records

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API Usage

Key functions available in services.hpp:

// User management
std::string create_user(CreateUser user); 
std::string log_in(std::string username, std::string password);

// Poll management  
Poll create_poll(CreatePoll poll);
void delete_poll(size_t poll_id);

// Voting
std::string create_user_vote(size_t user_id, size_t poll_id, size_t option_id);
RetrievePollResultAdmin retrieve_poll_results(size_t poll_id);

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Limitations

• CSV storage is not optimized for large datasets
• Single-user desktop application
• No built-in backup system

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Future Improvements

• SQLite database backend
• Network/multi-user support
• Web administration interface
• Enhanced reporting features

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