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dashy/docs/developing.md

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Developing

This article outlines how to get Dashy running in a development environment, and outlines the basics of the architecture. If you're adding new features, you may want to check out the Development Guides docs, for tutorials covering basic tasks.

Setting up the Dev Environment

Prerequisites

You will need either the latest or LTS version of Node.js to build and serve the application and Git to easily fetch the code, and push any changes. If you plan on running or deploying the container, you'll also need Docker. To avoid any unexpected issues, ensure you've got at least NPM V 7.5 or Yarn 1.22 (you may find NVM helpful for switching/ managing versions).

Running the Project

  1. Get Code: git clone https://github.com/Lissy93/dashy.git
  2. Navigate into the directory: cd dashy
  3. Install dependencies: yarn
  4. Start dev server: yarn dev

Dashy should now be being served on http://localhost:8080/. Hot reload is enabled, so making changes to any of the files will trigger them to be rebuilt and the page refreshed.

Project Commands

Basics

  • yarn build - In the interest of speed, the application is pre-compiled, this means that the config file is read during build-time, and therefore the app needs to rebuilt for any new changes to take effect. Luckily this is very straight forward. Just run yarn build or docker exec -it [container-id] yarn build
  • yarn start - Starts a web server, and serves up the production site from ./dist (must run build command first)

Development

  • yarn dev - Starts the development server with hot reloading
  • yarn lint - Lints code to ensure it follows a consistent, neat style
  • yarn test - Runs tests, and outputs results

Utils and Checks

  • yarn validate-config - If you have quite a long configuration file, you may wish to check that it's all good to go, before deploying the app. This can be done with yarn validate-config or docker exec -it [container-id] yarn validate-config. Your config file needs to be in /public/conf.yml (or within your Docker container at /app/public/conf.yml). This will first check that your YAML is valid, and then validates it against Dashy's schema.
  • yarn health-check - Checks that the application is up and running on it's specified port, and outputs current status and response times. Useful for integrating into your monitoring service, if you need to maintain high system availability

Alternate Start Commands

  • yarn build-and-start - Builds the app, runs checks and starts the production server. Commands are run in parallel, and so is faster than running them in independently. Uses the yarn build and yarn start commands
  • yarn build-watch - If you find yourself making frequent changes to your configuration, and do not want to have to keep manually rebuilding, then this option is for you. It will watch for changes to any files within the projects root, and then trigger a rebuild. Note that if you are developing new features, then yarn dev would be more appropriate, as it's significantly faster at recompiling (under 1 second), and has hot reloading, linting and testing integrated
  • yarn pm2-start - Starts the Node server using PM2, a process manager for Node.js applications, that helps them stay alive. PM2 has some built-in basic monitoring features, and an optional management solution. If you are running the app on bare metal, it is recommended to use this start command

Notes

  • If you are using NPM, replace yarn with npm run
  • If you are using Docker, precede each command with docker exec -it [container-id]. Container ID can be found by running docker ps
  • You can manage the app using the Vue-CLI Service, with npx vue-cli-service [command]. Or to start the Vue Management UI, run npx vue ui, and open http://localhost:8000

Environmental Variables

All environmental variables are optional. Currently there are not many environmental variables used, as most of the user preferences are stored under appConfig in the conf.yml file.

You can set variables either in your environment, or using the .env file.

  • NODE_ENV - Current environment, can be either development, production or test
  • PORT - The port to expose the running application on
  • HOST - The host that Dashy is running on, domain or IP
  • BASE_URL - The default base path for serving up static assets
  • VUE_APP_DOMAIN - Usually the same as BASE_URL, but accessible in frontend
  • INTEGRITY - Should enable SRI for build script and link resources
  • IS_DOCKER - Computed automatically on build. Indicates if running in container
  • VUE_APP_VERSION - Again, set automatically using package.json during build time

Environment Modes

You can set the environment using the NODE_ENV variable. By default, the correct environment should be selected based on the script you run to start the app. The following environments are supported: production, development and test. For more info, see Vue CLI Environment Modes.

Git Strategy

Git Flow

Like most Git repos, we are following the Github Flow standard.

  1. Create a branch (or fork if you don'd have write acces)
  2. Code some awesome stuff, then add and commit your changes
  3. Create a Pull Request, complete the checklist and ensure the build succeeds
  4. Follow up with any reviews on your code
  5. Merge 🎉

Git Branch Naming

The format of your branch name should be something similar to: [TYPE]/[TICKET]_[TITLE] For example, FEATURE/420_Awesome-feature or FIX/690_login-server-error

Commit Emojis

Using a single emoji at the start of each commit message, to indicate the type task, makes the commit ledger easier to understand, plus it looks cool.

  • 🎨 :art: - Improve structure / format of the code.
  • ⚡️ :zap: - Improve performance.
  • 🔥 :fire: - Remove code or files.
  • 🐛 :bug: - Fix a bug.
  • 🚑️ :ambulance: - Critical hotfix
  • ✨ :sparkles: - Introduce new features.
  • 📝 :memo: - Add or update documentation.
  • 🚀 :rocket: - Deploy stuff.
  • 💄 :lipstick: - Add or update the UI and style files.
  • 🎉 :tada: - Begin a project.
  • ✅ :white_check_mark: - Add, update, or pass tests.
  • 🔒️ :lock: - Fix security issues.
  • 🔖 :bookmark: - Make a Release or Version tag.
  • 🚨 :rotating_light: - Fix compiler / linter warnings.
  • 🚧 :construction: - Work in progress.
  • ⬆️ :arrow_up: - Upgrade dependencies.
  • 👷 :construction_worker: - Add or update CI build system.
  • ♻️ :recycle: - Refactor code.
  • 🩹 :adhesive_bandage: - Simple fix for a non-critical issue.
  • 🔧 :wrench: - Add or update configuration files.
  • 🍱 :bento: - Add or update assets.
  • 🗃️ :card_file_box: - Perform database schema related changes.
  • ✏️ :pencil2: - Fix typos.
  • 🌐 :globe_with_meridians: - Internationalization and translations.

For a full list of options, see gitmoji.dev

PR Guidelines

Once you've made your changes, and pushed them to your fork or branch, you're ready to open a pull request!

For a pull request to be merged, it must:

  • Must be backwards compatible
  • The build, lint and tests (run by GH actions) must pass
  • There must not be any merge conflicts

When you submit your PR, include the required info, by filling out the PR template. Including:

  • A brief description of your changes
  • The issue, ticket or discussion number (if applicable)
  • For UI relate updates include a screenshot
  • If any dependencies were added, explain why it was needed, state the cost associated, and confirm it does not introduce any security issues
  • Finally, check the checkboxes, to confirm that the standards are met, and hit submit!

Resources for Beginners

New to Web Development? Glad you're here! Dashy is a pretty simple app, so it should make a good candidate for your first PR. Presuming that you already have a basic knowledge of JavaScript, the following articles should point you in the right direction for getting up to speed with the technologies used in this project:

As well as Node, Git and Docker- you'll also need an IDE (e.g. VS Code or Vim) and a terminal (Windows users may find WSL more convenient).

App Info

Style Guide

Linting is done using ESLint, and using the Vue.js Styleguide, which is very similar to the AirBnB Stylguide. You can run yarn lint to report and fix issues. While the dev server is running, issues will be reported to the console automatically, and any lint errors will trigger the build to fail. Note that all lint checks must pass before any PR can be merged. Linting is also run as a git pre-commit hook

The most significant things to note are:

  • Indentation should be done with two spaces
  • Strings should use single quotes
  • All statements must end in a semi-colon
  • The final element in all objects must be preceded with a comma
  • Maximum line length is 100
  • There must be exactly one blank line between sections, before function names, and at the end of the file
  • With conditionals, put else on the same line as your if block’s closing brace
  • All multiline blocks must use braces
  • Avoid console statements in the frontend

Styleguides:

Application Structure

Files in the Root: ./

╮
├── package.json        # Project meta-data, dependencies and paths to scripts
├── src/                # Project front-end source code
├── server.js           # A Node.js server to serve up the /dist directory
├── vue.config.js       # Vue.js configuration
├── Dockerfile          # The blueprint for building the Docker container
├── docker-compose.yml  # A Docker run command
├── .env                # Location for any environmental variables
├── yarn.lock           # Auto-generated list of current packages and version numbers
├── docs/               # Markdown documentation
├── README.md           # Readme, basic info for getting started
├── LICENSE.md          # License for use
╯

Frontend Source: ./src/

./src
├── App.vue                       # Vue.js starting file
├── assets                        # Static non-compiled assets
│  ├── fonts                      # .ttf font files
│  ├── locales                    # All app text, each language in a separate JSON file
│  ╰── interface-icons            # SVG icons used in the app 
├── components                    # All front-end Vue web components
│  ├── Configuration              # Components relating to the user config pop-up
│  │  ├── AppInfoModal.vue        # A modal showing core app info, like version, language, etc
│  │  ├── AppVersion.vue          # Shows current version from package.json, compares with GitHub
│  │  ├── CloudBackupRestore.vue  # Form where the user manages cloud sync options
│  │  ├── ConfigContainer.vue     # Main container, wrapping all other config components
│  │  ├── CustomCss.vue           # Form where the user can input custom CSS
│  │  ├── EditSiteMeta.vue        # Form where the user can edit site meta data
│  │  ├── JsonEditor.vue          # JSON editor, where the user can modify the main config file
│  │  ╰── RebuildApp.vue          # A component allowing user to trigger a rebuild through the UI
│  ├── FormElements               # Basic form elements used throughout the app
│  │  ├── Button.vue              # Standard button component
│  │  ╰── Input.vue               # Standard text field input component
│  ├── LinkItems                  # Components for Sections and Link Items
│  │  ├── Collapsable.vue         # The collapsible functionality of sections
│  │  ├── ContextMenu.vue         # The right-click menu, for showing Item opening methods and info
│  │  ├── IframeModal.vue         # Pop-up iframe modal, for viewing websites within the app
│  │  ├── Item.vue                # Main link item, which is displayed within an item group
│  │  ├── ItemGroup.vue           # Item group is a section containing icons
│  │  ├── ItemIcon.vue            # The icon used by both items and sections
│  │  ├── ItemOpenMethodIcon.vue  # A small icon, visible on hover, indicating opening method 
│  │  ╰── StatusIndicator.vue     # Traffic light dot, showing if app is online or down
│  ├── Minimal View               # Components used for the startpage / minimal alternative view
│  │  ├── MinimalHeading.vue      # Title part of minimal view
│  │  ├── MinimalSearch.vue       # Search bar for minimal view
│  │  ╰── MinimalSection.vue      # Tabbed-Item section for minimal view
│  ├── PageStrcture               # Components relating the main structure of the page
│  │  ├── Footer.vue              # Footer, visible at the bottom of all pages
│  │  ├── Header.vue              # Header, visible at the top of pages, and includes title and nav
│  │  ├── LoadingScreen.vue       # Splash screen shown on first load
│  │  ├── Nav.vue                 # Navigation bar, includes a list of links
│  │  ╰── PageTitle.vue           # Page title and sub-title, visible within the Header
│  ├── Workspace                  # Components used for the multi-tasking/ Workspace view
│  │  ├── MultiTaskingWeb.vue     # When multi-tasking enabled, generates new iframe
│  │  ├── SideBar.vue             # The left sidebar for the workspace view
│  │  ├── SideBarItem.vue         # App item for the sidebar view
│  │  ├── SideBarSection.vue      # Collapsible collection of items within workspace sidebar
│  │  ╰── WebContent.vue          # Workspace iframe view, displays content of current app
│  ╰── Settings                   # Components relating to the quick-settings, in the top-right
│     ├── AuthButtons.vue         # Logout button and other app info
│     ├── ConfigLauncher.vue      # Icon that when clicked will launch the Configuration component
│     ├── CustomThemeMaker.vue    # Color pickers for letting user build their own theme
│     ├── ItemSizeSelector.vue    # Set of buttons used to set and save item size
│     ├── KeyboardShortcutInfo.vue# Small pop-up displaying the available keyboard shortcuts
│     ├── LanguageSwitcher.vue    # Dropdown in a modal for changing app language
│     ├── LayoutSelector.vue      # Set of buttons, letting the user select their desired layout
│     ├── SearchBar.vue           # The input field in the header, used for searching the app
│     ├── SettingsContainer.vue   # Container that wraps all the quick-settings components
│     ╰── ThemeSelector.vue       # Drop-down menu enabling the user to select and change themes
├── main.js                       # Main front-end entry point
├── registerServiceWorker.js      # Registers and manages service workers, for PWA apps
├── router.js                     # Defines all available application routes
├── styles                        # Directory of all globally used common SCSS styles
├── utils                         # Directory of re-used helper functions
│  ├── ArrowKeyNavigation.js      # Functionality for arrow-key navigation
│  ├── Auth.js                    # Handles all authentication related actions
│  ├── CheckSectionVisibility.js  # Checks which parts of the page should be visible/ hidden based on config
│  ├── ClickOutside.js            # A directive for detecting click, used to hide dropdown, modal or context menu
│  ├── ConfigHelpers.js           # Helper functions for managing configuration
│  ├── CloudBackup.js             # Functionality for encrypting, processing and network calls
│  ├── ConfigSchema.json          # The schema, used to validate the users conf.yml file
│  ├── ConfigAccumulator.js       # Central place for managing and combining config
│  ├── ConfigHelpers.json         # Collection of helper functions to process config using accumulator
│  ├── ConfigValidator.js         # A helper script that validates the config file against schema
│  ├── CoolConsole.js             # Prints info, warning and error messages to browser console, with a cool style
│  ├── defaults.js                # Global constants and their default values
│  ├── emojis.json                # List of emojis with unicode and shortcode, used for emoji icon feature
│  ├── EmojiUnicodeRegex.js       # Regular expression to validate emoji unicode format, for emoji icons
│  ├── ErrorHandler.js            # Helper function called when an error is returned
│  ├── InitServiceWorker.js       # Initializes and manages service worker, if enabled
│  ├── Search.js                  # Helper functions for searching/ filtering items in all views
│  ├── JsonToYaml.js              # Function that parses and converts raw JSON into valid YAML
│  ├── languages.js               # Handles fetching, switching and validating languages
│  ╰── ThemeHelper.js             # Function that handles the fetching and setting of user themes
╰── views                         # Directory of available pages, corresponding to available routes
   ├── Home.vue                   # The home page container
   ├── About.vue                  # About page
   ├── Login.vue                  # TAuthentication page
   ├── Minimal.vue                # The minimal view
   ╰── Workspace.vue              # The workspace view with apps in sidebar

Visualisation of Source Directory

File Breakdown

Development Tools

Performance - Lighthouse

The easiest method of checking performance is to use Chromium's build in auditing tool, Lighthouse. To run the test, open Developer Tools (usually F12) --> Lighthouse and click on the 'Generate Report' button at the bottom.

Dependencies - BundlePhobia

BundlePhobia is a really useful app that lets you analyze the cost of adding any particular dependency to an application

Notes

Known Warnings

When running the build command, several warnings appear. These are not errors, and do not affect the security or performance of the application. They will be addressed in a future update

WARN A new version of sass-loader is available. Please upgrade for best experience. - Currently we're using an older version of SASS loader, since the more recent releases do not seem to be compatible with the Vue CLI's webpack configuration.

WARN asset size limit: The following asset(s) exceed the recommended size limit (244 KiB). - For the PWA to support Windows 10, a splash screen asset is required, and is quite large. This throws a warning, however PWA assets are not loaded until needed, so shouldn't have any impact on application performance. A similar warning is thrown for the Raleway font, and that is looking to be addressed.