Today focus on Day 3: Database Design and API Structure, explain in details step by step for like 5 year

old kid

Day 3: Database Design and API Structure (Explained Like You’re 5)

Hi there, little coder! Today, we’re building a database and setting up the API structure for our
vulnerability scanner. Think of the database as a big toy box where we store all our important
data (like scan results), and the API as the magic postman that helps our frontend and backend
talk to each other. Let’s go step by step and build this together!

Step 1: What Is a Database?

A database is like a toy box where we organize and store information so we can easily find it
later. For our vulnerability scanner, we’ll store:

1. The targets we’re scanning (like a website or IP address).

2. The scan results (what we find during the scan).
3. The timestamp (when the scan happened).

We’ll use SQLite, which is a super lightweight database that’s easy to set up and works perfectly
for small projects.

Step 2: Create a Database

1. Open your project folder in the terminal:
2. cd C:\Users\mscit\Desktop\vuln-scanner\backend
3. Install the library to use SQLite with Python:
4. pip install flask-sqlalchemy
5. Create a new file called database.py in the backend folder:
6. code database.py

If you don’t have VS Code, use Notepad or any editor to create the file.

7. Add the following code to database.py:

8. from flask_sqlalchemy import SQLAlchemy
9.
10. # Initialize the database
11. db = SQLAlchemy()
12.
13. # Define the ScanResult table
14. class ScanResult(db.Model):
 15. id = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True) # Unique ID for each
scan
16. target = db.Column(db.String(100), nullable=False) # Website or
IP scanned
17. scan_type = db.Column(db.String(50), nullable=False) # Type of
scan (e.g., TCP, XSS)
18. result = db.Column(db.Text, nullable=False) # Scan details
19. timestamp = db.Column(db.DateTime, nullable=False) # When the
scan was done

Step 3: Connect the Database to the Backend

1. Open your app.py file (this is where we created the backend).
2. Add these lines to connect the database:
3. from flask import Flask
4. from flask_sqlalchemy import SQLAlchemy
5. from database import db, ScanResult
6. from datetime import datetime
7.
8. app = Flask(__name__)
9.
10. # Configure the database
11. app.config['SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI'] = 'sqlite:///scans.db'
12. app.config['SQLALCHEMY_TRACK_MODIFICATIONS'] = False
13.
14. # Initialize the database
15. db.init_app(app)
16.
17. @app.before_first_request
18. def create_tables():
19. db.create_all()
20. Save the file. This will:
o Create a database file named scans.db.
o Create a table called ScanResult.

Step 4: Test the Database

Let’s check if the database works!

1. Run your backend:

2. python app.py
3. Check the project folder. You should see a new file named scans.db. This is your
database!

Step 5: Build the API Structure

The API is like a magic postman that delivers messages between the frontend (the face) and the
backend (the brain). We’ll create these basic API routes:

1. Start a scan: Save a new scan request to the database.

2. Get scan results: Retrieve past scan results.

1. Add an API to Save Scan Results

In app.py, add the following code to create a new API route:

from flask import request, jsonify

@app.route('/api/scans', methods=['POST'])
def add_scan():
data = request.json # Get data from the frontend
new_scan = ScanResult(
target=data['target'],
scan_type=data['scan_type'],
result=data['result'],
timestamp=datetime.now()
)
db.session.add(new_scan) # Add to the database
db.session.commit() # Save changes
return jsonify({'message': 'Scan saved successfully!'}), 201

2. Add an API to Get Scan Results

In app.py, add this route to fetch all scan results:

@app.route('/api/scans', methods=['GET'])
def get_scans():
scans = ScanResult.query.all() # Get all scan results
scan_list = [{
'id': scan.id,
'target': scan.target,
'scan_type': scan.scan_type,
'result': scan.result,
'timestamp': scan.timestamp
} for scan in scans]
return jsonify(scan_list)

Step 6: Test Your APIs

Let’s see if our APIs work using Postman (a tool to test APIs):

1. Install Postman:
Download and install Postman from https://www.postman.com/.

2. Test the POST API:

1. Open Postman.
2. Select POST and enter http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans.
3. Go to the Body tab, choose raw, and select JSON.
4. Enter this sample data:
5. {
6. "target": "example.com",
7. "scan_type": "TCP",
8. "result": "Open ports: 80, 443"
9. }
10. Click Send. You should see a response:
11. {"message": "Scan saved successfully!"}

3. Test the GET API:

1. Select GET and enter http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans.

2. Click Send. You should see all scan results in JSON format.

Step 7: Connect the API to the Frontend

Now, your frontend can use these APIs to:

 Save scan requests.

 Display the scan results in the dashboard.

Recap of What You Did Today

1. Created a Database:
o Made a database (scans.db) to store scan results.
2. Set Up API Routes:
o Built routes to save and retrieve scan data (POST and GET APIs).
3. Tested APIs:
o Used Postman to ensure the APIs work perfectly.

Awesome job, little coder! Your backend is now super smart and ready to handle data.
Tomorrow, we’ll start adding more features to your app. 😊
i dont under how to update app.py file, give me fully updated code of app.py file for Day 3: Database
Design and API Structure

Here is the fully updated app.py file for Day 3: Database Design and API Structure. This
includes everything needed to set up the backend, connect the database, and implement API
routes.

Complete app.py File

from flask import Flask, request, jsonify
from flask_sqlalchemy import SQLAlchemy
from datetime import datetime

# Initialize Flask app

app = Flask(__name__)

# Configure the database

app.config['SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI'] = 'sqlite:///scans.db' # SQLite
database file
app.config['SQLALCHEMY_TRACK_MODIFICATIONS'] = False

# Initialize the database

db = SQLAlchemy(app)

# Define the ScanResult table

class ScanResult(db.Model):
id = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True) # Unique ID for each scan
target = db.Column(db.String(100), nullable=False) # Website or IP
scanned
scan_type = db.Column(db.String(50), nullable=False) # Type of scan
(e.g., TCP, XSS)
result = db.Column(db.Text, nullable=False) # Scan details
timestamp = db.Column(db.DateTime, nullable=False) # When the scan was
done

# Create tables before the first request

@app.before_first_request
def create_tables():
db.create_all()

# API to save a new scan result

@app.route('/api/scans', methods=['POST'])
def add_scan():
data = request.json # Get JSON data from the frontend
new_scan = ScanResult(
target=data['target'],
scan_type=data['scan_type'],
result=data['result'],
timestamp=datetime.now()
)
 db.session.add(new_scan) # Add new scan to the database
db.session.commit() # Save changes
return jsonify({'message': 'Scan saved successfully!'}), 201

# API to get all scan results

@app.route('/api/scans', methods=['GET'])
def get_scans():
scans = ScanResult.query.all() # Fetch all scan results from the database
scan_list = [{
'id': scan.id,
'target': scan.target,
'scan_type': scan.scan_type,
'result': scan.result,
'timestamp': scan.timestamp.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S') # Format
timestamp
} for scan in scans]
return jsonify(scan_list)

# Test API for basic server status

@app.route('/')
def home():
return jsonify({'message': 'Vulnerability Scanner Backend is Running!'})

# Run the app

if __name__ == '__main__':
app.run(debug=True)

What Does This Code Do?

1. Imports Libraries:
o Flask: To create the backend web server.
o SQLAlchemy: To work with the SQLite database.
o datetime: To add timestamps to scan results.
2. Sets Up the Database:
o Uses SQLite to create a file named scans.db.
o Defines a table named ScanResult with columns:
 id: Unique ID for each scan.
 target: The website or IP address scanned.
 scan_type: The type of scan performed (e.g., TCP, XSS).
 result: The details of the scan result.
 timestamp: The time the scan was performed.
3. Creates API Routes:
o POST /api/scans: Saves a new scan result in the database.
o GET /api/scans: Fetches all stored scan results.
o GET /: Basic route to check if the backend is running.
4. Initializes the Database:
o Ensures that tables are created the first time the app runs.
5. Runs the Server:
o Starts the Flask app on http://127.0.0.1:5000.
How to Test This Code

Step 1: Run the Backend

1. Open the terminal in your backend folder.

2. Run the app:
3. python app.py
4. You should see something like this:
5. * Running on http://127.0.0.1:5000/ (Press CTRL+C to quit)

Step 2: Test the APIs

1. Test the Home Route:

o Open a browser and visit:
http://127.0.0.1:5000/
o You should see:
o {"message": "Vulnerability Scanner Backend is Running!"}
2. Test the POST API (Save a Scan):
o Use Postman or cURL to send a POST request to
http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans.
o Add this JSON body:
o {
o "target": "example.com",
o "scan_type": "TCP",
o "result": "Open ports: 80, 443"
o }
o You should get a response:
o {"message": "Scan saved successfully!"}
3. Test the GET API (Retrieve All Scans):
o Use Postman or a browser to send a GET request to:
http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans.
o You should get all saved scans in JSON format:
o [
o {
o "id": 1,
o "target": "example.com",
o "scan_type": "TCP",
o "result": "Open ports: 80, 443",
o "timestamp": "2024-12-19 10:30:00"
o }
o ]

Folder Structure

Make sure your backend folder looks like this:

backend/
├── app.py # Main Flask app
├── database.py # Database model
├── scans.db # SQLite database file (created after running the app)

Next Steps

 Ensure the APIs work using tools like Postman.

 Tomorrow, we’ll focus on connecting the frontend to these APIs to display scan results
on the dashboard.

Let me know if you have any questions! 😊

Test the POST API (Save a Scan): Explain in details: Use Postman or cURL to send a POST request to
http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans. Add this JSON body: json

Testing the POST API to Save a Scan

Let’s break this down step by step so you can easily send a POST request to the API. You can use
Postman (a graphical interface) or cURL (a command-line tool) to do this. We’ll go through
both methods.

1. Use Postman to Test the POST API

Step 1: Install and Open Postman

1. If you don’t have Postman installed:

o Download it from https://www.postman.com/downloads/.
2. Install Postman and open it.

Step 2: Create a New Request

1. Click the "New" button in Postman and choose Request.

2. Name your request (e.g., "Save Scan") and save it in a collection if you want.

Step 3: Set Up the Request

1. Choose the HTTP Method:

o In the dropdown menu next to the URL field, select POST.
2. Enter the API Endpoint:
o Type the API URL:
o http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans

Step 4: Add the JSON Body

1. Click on the Body tab in Postman.

2. Choose raw as the data type.
3. Select JSON from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter the following JSON body in the text box:
5. {
 6. "target": "example.com",
7. "scan_type": "TCP",
8. "result": "Open ports: 80, 443"
9. }
o target: The IP address or website being scanned.
o scan_type: The type of scan (e.g., TCP, XSS).
o result: The result of the scan (e.g., open ports, vulnerabilities).

Step 5: Send the Request

1. Click the Send button.

2. Check the response from the server in the lower section of Postman. You should see:
3. {
4. "message": "Scan saved successfully!"
5. }

Step 6: Verify the Data in the Database

After sending the POST request, the scan data is saved in your scans.db database. To verify:

1. Use the GET API (http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans) to fetch all saved scan results.
2. The saved data should appear in the JSON response.

2. Use cURL to Test the POST API

If you prefer using the command line, you can test the API using cURL.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

1. Press the Windows key and type cmd, then press Enter.

Step 2: Use cURL to Send a POST Request

Run the following command in the terminal:

curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans \

-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d "{\"target\":\"example.com\",\"scan_type\":\"TCP\",\"result\":\"Open ports:
80, 443\"}"
Here’s what each part does:

 -X POST: Specifies that this is a POST request.

 http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans: The API endpoint.
 -H "Content-Type: application/json": Sets the header to indicate that the request
body is in JSON format.
 -d: Specifies the data to send in the request body.

Step 3: Check the Response

After running the command, you should see this response in the terminal:

{
"message": "Scan saved successfully!"
}

Step 4: Verify the Data

To verify that the data is saved in the database, you can:

1. Use the GET API (http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans) to fetch the saved results.

2. Use a database browser (e.g., DB Browser for SQLite) to open scans.db and view the
ScanResult table.

Troubleshooting Tips

1. Error: Connection Refused:

o Ensure your Flask app (app.py) is running. Start it with:
o python app.py
2. Error: Missing JSON Fields:
o Make sure the JSON body includes all required fields (target, scan_type,
result).
3. Database File Not Found:
o Check that scans.db was created in the same folder as app.py.

What Did You Achieve?

 You successfully sent a POST request to save a scan result.

 You tested the API using both Postman and cURL.
  Your database now stores scan results that can be fetched later using the GET API.

Let me know if you have any questions or need further help! 😊

Traceback (most recent call last): File "C:\Users\mscit\Desktop\vuln-scanner\backend\app.py", line
24, in <module> @app.before_first_request ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AttributeError: 'Flask' object
has no attribute 'before_first_request'. Did you mean: '_got_first_request'?

The error AttributeError: 'Flask' object has no attribute 'before_first_request'

occurs because the version of Flask you are using doesn’t support the
@app.before_first_request decorator. This might happen with older or newer versions of
Flask that don’t include this attribute.

Let’s fix this issue by modifying the database initialization process.

Fix: Use an Explicit Function to Create Tables

Instead of using @app.before_first_request, we’ll create the database tables explicitly when
the app starts. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Update the Code in app.py

Replace the @app.before_first_request block with the following code:

# Create the database tables manually

with app.app_context():
db.create_all()

Here’s the fully updated app.py file:

Updated app.py
from flask import Flask, request, jsonify
from flask_sqlalchemy import SQLAlchemy
from datetime import datetime

# Initialize Flask app

app = Flask(__name__)

# Configure the database

app.config['SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI'] = 'sqlite:///scans.db' # SQLite
database file
app.config['SQLALCHEMY_TRACK_MODIFICATIONS'] = False
# Initialize the database
db = SQLAlchemy(app)

# Define the ScanResult table

class ScanResult(db.Model):
id = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True) # Unique ID for each scan
target = db.Column(db.String(100), nullable=False) # Website or IP
scanned
scan_type = db.Column(db.String(50), nullable=False) # Type of scan
(e.g., TCP, XSS)
result = db.Column(db.Text, nullable=False) # Scan details
timestamp = db.Column(db.DateTime, nullable=False) # When the scan was
done

# Create database tables

with app.app_context():
db.create_all()

# API to save a new scan result

@app.route('/api/scans', methods=['POST'])
def add_scan():
data = request.json # Get JSON data from the frontend
new_scan = ScanResult(
target=data['target'],
scan_type=data['scan_type'],
result=data['result'],
timestamp=datetime.now()
)
db.session.add(new_scan) # Add new scan to the database
db.session.commit() # Save changes
return jsonify({'message': 'Scan saved successfully!'}), 201

# API to get all scan results

@app.route('/api/scans', methods=['GET'])
def get_scans():
scans = ScanResult.query.all() # Fetch all scan results from the database
scan_list = [{
'id': scan.id,
'target': scan.target,
'scan_type': scan.scan_type,
'result': scan.result,
'timestamp': scan.timestamp.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S') # Format
timestamp
} for scan in scans]
return jsonify(scan_list)

# Test API for basic server status

@app.route('/')
def home():
return jsonify({'message': 'Vulnerability Scanner Backend is Running!'})

# Run the app

if __name__ == '__main__':
app.run(debug=True)
What Changed?

1. Replaced @app.before_first_request:
o Instead of waiting for the first request, the database tables are created immediately
when the app starts using:
o with app.app_context():
o db.create_all()
2. No Dependency on before_first_request:
o This ensures compatibility with all Flask versions.

Step 2: Run the Updated App

1. Save the changes to app.py.

2. Run the app:
3. python app.py
4. The database (scans.db) and the ScanResult table should now be created successfully.

Step 3: Test the APIs

Follow the steps to test the APIs using Postman or cURL, as described earlier.

Why This Fix Works

Using with app.app_context(): ensures that the database initialization happens correctly
within the application context, avoiding compatibility issues with Flask's lifecycle events.

Let me know if you encounter any further issues! 😊

<!doctype html> <html lang=en> <title>404 Not Found</title> <h1>Not Found</h1> <p>The requested
URL was not found on the server. If you entered the URL manually please check your spelling and try
again.</p>

The 404 Not Found error indicates that the route you’re trying to access does not exist on the
server. This can happen for several reasons in your Flask app. Let’s go step by step to identify
and resolve the issue.

Step 1: Check If Your Flask App Is Running

1. Ensure your Flask app (app.py) is running:

2. python app.py
3. You should see output similar to this in your terminal:
4. * Running on http://127.0.0.1:5000/ (Press CTRL+C to quit)
5. If the app isn’t running, start it again and retry accessing the URL in your browser.

Step 2: Verify the URL

1. Open your browser and ensure you are accessing the correct URL:
o For the home route: http://127.0.0.1:5000/
o For the POST API: http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans
2. If you’re testing an API, use tools like Postman or cURL instead of directly typing the
URL in the browser.

Step 3: Ensure the Route Exists in app.py

Open your app.py file and confirm that the route you’re trying to access is defined. For
example:

Home Route

Ensure this exists in app.py:

@app.route('/')
def home():
return jsonify({'message': 'Vulnerability Scanner Backend is Running!'})
  If this route is missing, add it to your file, save, and restart the app.

API Route for Scans

Ensure this exists for the POST and GET requests:

@app.route('/api/scans', methods=['POST'])
def add_scan():
# Code to handle saving scan data
pass

@app.route('/api/scans', methods=['GET'])
def get_scans():
# Code to handle retrieving scan data
pass

 If these routes are missing, add them as shown above, save, and restart the app.

Step 4: Test the App Locally

1. Test the home route in your browser:

o Visit http://127.0.0.1:5000/
o You should see:
o {"message": "Vulnerability Scanner Backend is Running!"}
2. Test the API routes using Postman:
o For a POST request:
 URL: http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans
 Body:
 {
 "target": "example.com",
 "scan_type": "TCP",
 "result": "Open ports: 80, 443"
 }
o For a GETrequest:
 URL: http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans

Step 5: Check for Typos in URLs

 Make sure the URL you’re entering matches exactly with the route defined in app.py.
For example:
o If the route is /api/scans, entering /apis/scans will result in a 404 error.
Step 6: Debugging Tips

1. Enable Debug Mode:

Run your Flask app in debug mode to see detailed error messages:
2. app.run(debug=True)
3. Check the Console Logs:
Look at the terminal or console where you’re running app.py for errors. If a request hits
the wrong route or there’s an issue, Flask will log it there.
4. Test All Routes:
Use the following command to list all available routes in your app:
5. flask routes

This will show you all defined routes and the methods they accept (e.g., GET, POST).

Common Issues

1. Missing Routes: Ensure all routes you’re trying to access are defined in app.py.
2. Typos in URLs: Double-check for spelling errors in the URL.
3. App Not Running: Verify that app.py is running.
4. Incorrect Method: Ensure you’re using the correct HTTP method (e.g., GET or POST)
for the route.

If the Problem Persists

 Share the exact URL you’re trying to access and the code from your app.py file.
 I’ll help you debug further! 😊
I perform step 4: Test the App Locally, Test the home route in your browser, this step successfully
output on browser, but tell me Test the API routes using Postman is necessary or not, if not necessary I
don't perform this step.

Testing the API routes using Postman is not strictly necessary if you’re confident that your
code is correct and don’t need to manually verify the API's behavior at this stage. However,
here’s why you might or might not want to perform this step:

Why Testing API Routes with Postman Is Helpful

1. Ensures API Functionality:

o It verifies that your API endpoints (POST and GET) work correctly and as expected.
o Example: When you send a POST request, the data should be saved in the
database.
2. Debugging:
o If there’s a problem in your frontend later, testing the API with Postman confirms
that the backend is working, isolating the issue to the frontend.
3. Frontend Integration:
o Once you connect your backend to the frontend, Postman-tested APIs are more
likely to work without issues.

Why It Might Not Be Necessary Now

1. You’re Not Making Changes Yet:

o If your backend code is straightforward and you’re confident it should work, you
can skip Postman testing for now.
2. Frontend Will Test It Later:
o When the frontend sends requests to the backend, those interactions will
effectively test your API.
3. Basic Functionality Already Verified:
o Since the home route is working (http://127.0.0.1:5000/), it’s a sign that
your Flask app is running properly.

Recommendation

 If You’re Comfortable: You can skip Postman testing and directly move on to
integrating the frontend with the backend.
  If You Want to Be Thorough: Test the POST and GET APIs using Postman now. This
step ensures your backend works before adding the complexity of frontend integration.

When to Test Later

If you skip Postman testing now, be ready to revisit API testing if:

 The frontend doesn’t behave as expected.

 You need to debug backend logic or database behavior.

Let me know how you’d like to proceed! 😊

explain in detail step by step 2. Use cURL to Test the POST API If you prefer using the command line, you
can test the API using cURL. Step 1: Open Command Prompt

How to Use cURL to Test the POST API (Step-by-Step)

Let’s go through testing the POST API using cURL step by step. cURL is a command-line tool
that allows you to make HTTP requests like GET and POST. It’s great for testing APIs without
needing additional software like Postman.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

1. Press the Windows Key on your keyboard.

2. Type cmd in the search bar and press Enter.
3. You should see the Command Prompt window open.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Project Directory (Optional)

Although not required, it’s a good practice to navigate to your project directory:

cd C:\Users\mscit\Desktop\vuln-scanner\backend

This helps you stay organized if you want to check logs or access files related to your project.

Step 3: Use cURL to Send a POST Request

1. Run the following cURL command in the Command Prompt:

2. curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans \
3. -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4. -d "{\"target\":\"example.com\",\"scan_type\":\"TCP\",\"result\":\"Open
ports: 80, 443\"}"
5. Breaking Down the Command:
o -X POST: Specifies the HTTP method as POST. This tells the API you want to
send data.
o http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans: The URL of the API endpoint you’re
testing.
o -H "Content-Type: application/json": Adds a header specifying that the
request body is in JSON format.
o -d: Specifies the data to send in the body of the request. The data should be in
JSON format, for example:
 o {
o "target": "example.com",
o "scan_type": "TCP",
o "result": "Open ports: 80, 443"
o }

Step 4: Check the Response

After running the command, you should see a response in the Command Prompt similar to this:

{"message": "Scan saved successfully!"}

This response confirms that:

1. The API received the data.

2. The scan result was saved in the database successfully.

Step 5: Verify the Data

1. You can use the GET API to retrieve all saved scans and verify that the data was stored.
o Run the following cURL command:
o curl http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/scans
2. You should see a JSON response listing all saved scans, similar to this:
3. [
4. {
5. "id": 1,
6. "target": "example.com",
7. "scan_type": "TCP",
8. "result": "Open ports: 80, 443",
9. "timestamp": "2024-12-19 10:30:00"
10. }
11. ]

Troubleshooting Tips

If the command doesn’t work as expected, check the following:

1. Flask App Not Running:

o Ensure the Flask app (app.py) is running. Start it with:
o python app.py
2. Invalid JSON Format:
o Ensure the JSON data in the -d option is properly escaped. For example:
o -d "{\"key\":\"value\"}"

Use backslashes (\) to escape double quotes.

 3. Check API Route:
o Ensure the route /api/scans exists in your app.py file:
o @app.route('/api/scans', methods=['POST'])

Why Use cURL?

 Quick Testing: No need to install additional tools like Postman.

 Simple: Works from the Command Prompt or terminal.
 Powerful: Lets you test advanced API features like authentication and headers.

Next Steps

If the POST request works successfully:

 You’ve verified that your backend is functioning correctly.

 You can now confidently proceed to connect the frontend to your API.

Let me know if you run into any issues! 😊