Getting Started with the ColtJS Framework.

From Basic SPA to MV*

Over the past several weeks, when not bogged down with my day-job or managing Codiad I’ve been working with theprivileges on the ColtJS framework.

There are two new major features in version 0.7.1; models and predefined request.

The big one; models adds the ability to more easily manage data in the framework and incorporates basic construction/deconstruction, RESTful capabilities, and change/sync observers.

The predefined requests allows for definition of XHR requests which can then be easily called throughout your application.

Along the way we added several other fixes and improvements as well.

Shell Script for Testing Pull Requests

I get A LOT of pull requests, and testing them is time-consuming, so I wrote this script to save me from having to clean-up, recreate folders and manually pull branches.

It’s pretty simple; I have “Sandbox” dir on my server where this script sits (with +x - execute) permissions. I simply call:

./tester.sh

It prompts me for the folder name and the repo URL (including the branch). From there it creates (or blasts and recreates) the folder, runs a git init and pulls in the repo.

Then I just open a fresh browser instance (Incognito mode) and go the the path.

Git Pull Request Tester Shell Script

Being a Parent (of an OSS Project)

I first started the Codiad Web IDE about 10 months ago, and wow, how it’s grown up fast!

I noticed today as my son was getting ready for school how much running an OSS project is like being a parent.

When the project first started (the baby/toddler stage) I had to do everything; changing diapers (removing crap code), teaching it how to walk/talk/eat (adding core functionality) and handling the sniffles and coughs (bug fixes).

Gosh, how I miss those days - this little bundle of joy that once relied on me completely and couldn’t survive without my care and nurturing is growing up. Of course there were the sleepless nights (coding late into the night) and mind-boggling frustration at the inability to grasp certain behaviours.

How things have changed. Just as I was getting my son ready for school I was eating my breakfast and checking emails that had come in. Suddenly my little bundle of joy was, thanks to contributors, growing up before my eyes.

I no longer spend hours on end nurturing it’s development. Yes, I’m still actively involved, but just like with my (human) children, I’ve been put in a decision-making position, providing guidance and good decisions. I do my best, sometimes I make a good call, sometimes I kick myself later.

So maybe my parenting has made me better at running an OSS project, perhaps it’s the other way around. All I know is that balance has been key. Had I not trusted in decisions of my contributors this project would not have grown, likewise I have to allowed my children to make their own decisions; my ‘wise’ insight hopefully guiding them in the right direction.

So, what’s the take-away? I guess it’s that be it parenting or running an OSS project; you always have to grow with you children (human or otherwise) and let yourself grow with the child.

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