Development Environment Setup

This chapter guides you through setting up a local development environment to work on the project. It covers the essential tools and dependencies, configuration steps, and procedures for running and debugging the software.

Prerequisites

Before you begin setting up the development environment, ensure you have the following installed on your system:

Node.js: The project uses Node.js for running the development server and building the application. Install the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version from the official Node.js website: https://nodejs.org/.
Git: Git is used for version control and managing the project's codebase. Download and install Git from the official website: https://git-scm.com/.
A code editor or IDE: Choose your preferred code editor, such as Visual Studio Code, Atom, or Sublime Text.

Setting up the Development Environment

Clone the repository: Start by cloning the project's repository from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/[your-github-username]/[your-project-name].git

Navigate to the project directory:
```
cd [your-project-name]
```
Install dependencies: Use npm (Node Package Manager) to install the required project dependencies:
```
npm install
```
Configure environment variables: Some settings, such as API keys or database credentials, may need to be stored as environment variables. Create a .env file at the root of your project and add the necessary variables. For example:
```
REACT_APP_API_KEY=[your-api-key]
REACT_APP_DATABASE_URL=[your-database-url]
```
These variables are then used in your application code using process.env.REACT_APP_API_KEY and similar expressions.

Running the Development Server

Start the development server: Use the following command to launch the development server:
```
npm start
```
This will start a development server running at http://localhost:3000.

Debugging

Browser Developer Tools: Most modern web browsers provide robust developer tools for debugging JavaScript code. You can access these tools by right-clicking on the page and selecting "Inspect" or by using the browser's keyboard shortcut (usually F12). The developer tools offer a console, network inspector, debugger, and more.
Debugging Frameworks: If you need more advanced debugging capabilities, consider using tools like the Chrome DevTools or Firefox Developer Edition for breakpoints and step-by-step code execution.

Keeping the Development Environment Updated

Updating Dependencies: Regularly check for updated dependencies using npm outdated. Update them as needed using npm update to ensure you are using the latest versions and to benefit from bug fixes and security patches.
Updating Node.js: As new versions of Node.js become available, you may want to update your installation. Follow the instructions on the official Node.js website.

Additional Tips

Use a linter: A linter helps identify potential code errors, style issues, and other code quality problems. Popular linters for JavaScript include ESLint and Prettier.
Consider a task runner: Task runners like Gulp or Grunt can automate repetitive tasks such as building, testing, and deploying the application.
Explore the project's documentation: The project may have additional documentation outlining its structure, specific coding conventions, and advanced development techniques. Refer to the main documentation page at https://github.com/[your-github-username]/[your-project-name]/blob/main/README.md for more detailed information.

This chapter provides the foundation for establishing a local development environment. Refer to the other chapters in this wiki for specific instructions on coding standards, testing, and other project-related topics.

Example Wiki