Implement REST API Server with HTTP Interface

[AnshSinghSonkhia]

Priority: High
Category: API & Interface
Estimated Effort: Medium

Description

Currently, GoVaultFS only provides a programmatic Go API. Adding a REST API server would enable:

• Web-based file upload/download
• Integration with other applications
• Remote management capabilities
• HTTP-based file sharing

Implementation Plan

1. Create HTTP Server Module (api/server.go)

   • Implement REST endpoints:
     • POST /files - Upload file
     • GET /files/{hash} - Download file by hash
     • DELETE /files/{hash} - Delete file
     • GET /files - List stored files
     • GET /peers - List connected peers
     • GET /health - Health check endpoint

2. Add Middleware Support

   • CORS handling for web clients
   • Request logging and metrics
   • Authentication/authorization (optional)
   • Rate limiting for uploads

3. Integration Points

   • Wrap existing FileServer methods
   • Handle multipart file uploads
   • Stream file downloads efficiently
   • Return JSON responses with metadata

4. Configuration

   • Add HTTP port configuration
   • Enable/disable API server
   • Configure max upload size

Files to Create/Modify:

• api/server.go - HTTP server implementation
• api/handlers.go - Request handlers
• api/middleware.go - HTTP middleware
• main.go - Add HTTP server initialization
• server.go - Add API integration points