BrightAuthor Next Generation (BANG)

BrightAuthorNG Data Model

This project contains the data model for BrightAuthor projects implemented on top of Redux.

General dependencies

• Node.js 6.x (supports ES6)
  • We have minor dependencies so far in code, otherwise this is used for compiling, running tests, etc.
• Redux, Reselect
• Typescript
• Typings (Typescript definition manager for libraries)
• TsUnit for simple unit testing

About Typescript

• This project is currently using version 2.0 of Typescript, which was released on Sept. 6, 2016. The latest version of Webstorm still bundles version 1.8 - see setup instructions below to point Webstorm at the newer compiler.
  • I am using the new readonly keyword which requires version 2.0.

General Development Prep

• If you get errors when using 'npm install' or 'npm link', see https://docs.npmjs.com/getting-started/fixing-npm-permissions
• You still might have to use sudo to install global packages
• Install node.js (Latest version recommended - currently 6.6.0. Electron uses 6.3.0 as of last check.)
• Install the 'typings' package:

  npm install -g typings

• Typescript: the stand-alone version must be installed and used. If you have already installed it, install again to get version 2.0.

  npm install - g typescript

Project Prep

• Before doing anything to prepare this project, make sure that the directory you have opened in WebStorm is the baDataModel directory - not the base directory of the repo, which is the master directory for other related projects.
  • The baDataModel directory will then become the "content root" of the WebStorm project - all additional paths are calculated relative to that.
• Install node_modules (this will create or update node-modules directory)

  npm install

• Link globally installed Typescript compiler for current project

  npm link typescript

• Retrieve library typings (this will create or update typings directory)

  typings install

• Extra prepare step to compile the Typescript tsUnit files

  npm run prepare

WebStorm Setup

• Open WebStorm Preferences

  • On page: Directories
    • Make sure the top line in the Directory list - the "content root" - is <repo_base>/baDataModel. If it isn't, you probably started in the wrong directory.
  • On page: Languages and Frameworks, select Javascript
    • Select ECMAScript 6 as Javascript language version
  • On page: Languages and Frameworks, expand Javascript node, select Libraries
    • The Redux library is installed by npm, and the typings file should have loaded the library declarations already
    • You should see redux-DefinitelyTyped in the Libraries list - enable it.
    • The library for ECMAScript 6 should also bechecked.
  • On page: Languages and Frameworks, select TypeScript
    • If the Typescript version is less than 2.0, you need to point to version 2 of the compiler that you have installed globally.
      • Click the edit button next to Typescript version
      • Browse to the directory containing the typescriptServices.js files. On macOS, this is probably /usr/local/lib/node_modules/typescript/lib.
      • Set this as the custom directory and click ok.
    • Make sure "Enable TypeScript Compiler" and "Track Changes" is checked (this enables the watcher for immediate transpilation.)
    • Make sure "Resolve objects using tsconfig.json is checked.

• Testing

  • Testing is based on the tsUnit package - see https://github.com/Steve-Fenton/tsUnit
    • The advantage of tsUnit is that it is Typescript, it is simple, and it can be easily debugged and traced.
  • I am currently directly running my various test files, all located in the 'tests' directory, directly from the terminal window.
    • For example, to run the Sign Tests, type:

      node temp/tests/baDmSignTests.js

    • We are running out of the temp directory because that is where the transpiled javascript is
  • Current configuration of this is very rudimentary. This will get more formalized, but it works fine for development. Eventually we will have a single master test suite entry file.

• Set up debug configuration

  • You can debug with the tests as well, placing breakpoints in the Typescript code.
  • From Run menu, select "Edit Configurations..."
  • Click on the '+' at upper left to add a debug configuration.
  • Select Node.js as configuration type. Node.js Debug details page will open.
  • Type a friendly name into the Name box (e.g., 'BaDm Test')
  • In the working directory field, select the full path on your machine to the ../BANextGen/baDataModel/temp/tests
  • In the Javascript file field, type the name of the file you want to debug.
  • Click OK.

• Build and Test

  • No separate build step is necessary currently - the WebStorm Typescript watcher handles it.
  • Run test file directly from terminal window as described above (or add scripts to package.json and run with npm.)
  • Start debugging by clicking on green bug icon at top right of WebStorm menu.