Smart Task Scheduler

Smart Task Scheduler is a Java-based web application that demonstrates the practical application of Data Structures and Algorithms using a real-world task scheduling problem.
The system intelligently schedules and executes tasks using a Priority Queue with a custom comparator, and is built using Java Servlets deployed on Apache Tomcat.

---

📌 Project Overview

The Smart Task Scheduler allows users to add tasks with multiple constraints such as priority, deadline, and duration.
Tasks are automatically ordered using a greedy scheduling strategy to ensure optimal execution order.

This project focuses on:

• Core Java fundamentals
• Algorithmic problem solving
• Servlet lifecycle and backend web development
• Manual deployment on Apache Tomcat

---

⚙️ Core Features

✅ Task Management

• Add tasks with:
  • Task Name
  • Priority (1–5 scale, lower value = higher priority)
  • Duration
  • Deadline

✅ Intelligent Scheduling (Algorithm-Based)

Tasks are scheduled using a custom comparator based on:

1. Priority (Primary criterion)
2. Deadline (Earlier deadlines first)
3. Duration (Shorter tasks first)

This ensures efficient and optimal scheduling decisions.

✅ Task Execution

• Tasks are executed in the correct order by polling from a PriorityQueue
• Time complexity: O(log n) per insertion/removal

---

🧠 Algorithm & Data Structure Used

• Data Structure: PriorityQueue
• Algorithm Strategy: Greedy Scheduling
• Comparator Logic: Multi-criteria comparison (Priority → Deadline → Duration)

This demonstrates how DSA concepts can be applied to real backend systems.

---

🏗️ Architecture

The application follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern:

• Controller Layer
  • Java Servlets handle HTTP requests and responses
• Service Layer
  • Business logic for task scheduling and execution
• Model Layer
  • Task entity
• Utility Layer
  • Custom TaskComparator and helper classes

---

🌐 Web Layer (Servlets)

• AddTaskServlet – Add new tasks
• ViewTasksServlet – View scheduled tasks
• ExecuteTaskServlet – Execute tasks in optimal order

---

💾 Persistence Strategy

• Uses in-memory storage via ServletContext
• Demonstrates shared application state across multiple HTTP requests
• No database used (intentional for algorithm-focused design)

---

🛠️ Technology Stack

• Java (Core Java, Collections)
• Java Servlets
• Apache Tomcat (XAMPP)
• PriorityQueue & Custom Comparator
• HTML (basic views)

---

🚀 Deployment

• Manually compiled Java classes using javac
• Deployed on Apache Tomcat via XAMPP
• Application runs on:

http://localhost:8080/SmartTaskScheduler  

---

🎯 Learning Outcomes

• Hands-on experience with Java Servlets and Tomcat
• Practical use of Data Structures & Algorithms
• Understanding of servlet lifecycle and application context
• Experience with manual compilation and deployment
• Backend problem-solving using greedy strategies

---

📌 Future Enhancements

• Database integration (MySQL)
• Annotation-based servlets
• WAR file packaging
• Authentication and session handling

---

📄 License

This project is for educational and learning purposes.