add project overview (fixes #7373)

1 files changed, 79 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/taler-developer-manual.rst b/taler-developer-manual.rst
index 49ffa250..654b7e7b 100644
--- a/taler-developer-manual.rst
+++ b/taler-developer-manual.rst
@@ -34,6 +34,85 @@ Developer's Manual
 .. contents:: Table of Contents
 
 
+Project Overview
+================
+
+GNU Taler consists of a large (and growing) number of components
+in various Git repositories.  The following list gives a first
+overview:
+
+  * exchange: core payment processing logic with a REST API, plus various
+    helper processes for interaction with banks and cryptographic
+    computations. Also includes the logic for the auditor and an
+    in-memory "bank" API implementation for testing.
+
+  * libeufin: implementation of the "bank" API using the EBICS protocol
+    used by banks in the EU.  Allows an exchange to interact with
+    European banks.
+
+  * deploymerization: implementation of the "bank" API on top of
+    blockchains, specifically Bitcoin and Ethereum. Allows an exchange
+    to interact with crypto-currencies.
+
+  * merchant: payment processing backend to be run by merchants,
+    offering a REST API.
+
+  * wallet-core: platform-independent implementation of a wallet to be run by
+    normal users. Includes also the WebExtension for various browsers.
+    Furthermore, includes various single-page apps used by other
+    components (especially as libeufin and merchant).  Also includes
+    command-line wallet and tools for testing.
+
+  * taler-android: Android Apps including the Android wallet, the
+    Android point-of-sale App and the Android casher app.
+
+  * taler-ios: iOS wallet App.
+    
+  * sync: backup service, provides a simple REST API to allow users to
+    make encrypted backups of their wallet state.
+
+  * anastasis: key escrow service, provides a simple REST API to allow
+    users to distribute encryption keys across multiple providers and
+    define authorization policies for key recovery.
+
+  * taler-mdb: integration of Taler with the multi-drop-bus (MDB) API
+    used by vending machines. Allows Taler payments to be integrated
+    with vending machines.
+
+  * gnu-taler-payment-for-woocommerce: payment plugin for the
+    woocommerce (wordpress) E-commerce solution.
+
+  * twister: man-in-the-middle proxy for tests that require fuzzing a
+    REST/JSON protocol.  Used for some of our testing.
+
+  * challenger: implementation of an OAuth 2.0 provider that can be used
+    to verify that a user can receive SMS or E-mail at particular addresses.
+    Used as part of KYC processes of the exchange.
+
+  * taler-mailbox: messaging service used to store and forward payment
+    messages to Taler wallets.
+
+  * taldir: directory service used to lookup Taler wallet addresses for
+    sending invoices or payments to other wallets.
+
+  * taler-merchant-demos: various demonstration services operated at
+    'demo.taler.net', including a simple shop, donation page and a
+    survey with tipping functionality.
+
+There are other important repositories without code, including:
+
+  * gana: Hosted on git.gnunet.org, this repository defines various
+    constants used in the GNU Taler project.
+
+  * docs: documentation, including this very document.
+
+  * marketing: various presentations, papers and other resources for
+    outreach.
+
+  * large-media: very large data objects, such as videos.
+
+  * www: the taler.net website.
+
 Fundamentals
 ============