Finally, a real computer

010101

I may finally be able to properly start creating better Flarum extensions soon (maybe). All I've had for a few years is my phone, and a Chromebook (a crappy Chromebook too). I finally broke down and ordered a new Apple Macbook Pro with the new Apple M1 chip. 😀 With extra memory and storage of course. The price was hard to swallow. But, I had to do it. I can't live with just a Chromebook anymore!

I know most developers probably use Windows or Linux, but, I've had Apple computers off and on in the past... Financially I had to pause owning an Apple computer for a bit. That's the only reason I've lived without one for a few years. I also like to mess around with graphic design and audio recording. And so, Apple is just a good fit for me personally.

It arrives by the end of today (I hope).

Next up... 1) Learn the best way to set up a local developer environment on a Mac. 2) The hardest part: Force myself to make time to actually sit down and learn more about Flarum's code.

Or, if my extension building ambitions don't work out, I'll at least finally have a real computer again!

askvortsov

010101 It arrives by the end of today (I hope).

Congrats, that's awesome!

010101 The hardest part: Force myself to make time to actually sit down and learn more about Flarum's code.

We are here for you to help you through this! There's a bit of a learning curve, but once over, there's a huge amount of stuff that can be done when approaching things "the Flarum way"

luceos

010101 I know most developers probably use Windows or Linux

That is not true. I don't know the exact metrics. But I know a lot of developers who code on mac. I have worked primarily on a macbook for 5 years now. Only recently did I switch to my older desktop running Windows 10 with WSL.

Don't be afraid, it's very common to look up the hill and see every hurdle you still need to overcome. But that's not a great motivator. Look at what you already accomplished now and how better hardware will make climbing the hill easier.

And the best advice I ever heard is to surround yourself with better devs, so that you pull yourself up to their level. The flarum ecosystem consists of many excellent professionals, all willing to share their knowledge.

As for the best mac developer environment. You can start simple with laravel valet.

010101

luceos Thanks! I’m excited to start learning more. Even if it takes me several weeks just to make something basic. I’m going to try and take my time and go easy on myself. 🙂

Reading up on Valet now. They had me at “for macOS minimalists.” That’s me!

luceos

010101 I can recommend sequel pro for database management https://www.sequelpro.com/, it's one of the things I sorely miss on Windows

Here's a write up how I work on my macbook: https://discuss.flarum.org/d/6320-extension-developers-show-us-your-workflow/3

ctml

luceos what are you using on Windows now? I am using HeidiSQL, but curious to know what others are using 🙂

luceos

ctml DBeaver, it's UX is not great, but decent features.

010101

luceos

Thank you. The laptop arrived and I've started to get things set up. I have to stop already due to life. But, this weekend I should be able to make some progress.

So far I have installed Homebrew, node.js, yarn, (here's where it gets interesting) VSCodium - the fully unlicensed version of VS Code, and Sequel Pro. I can't justify paying for PhpStorm... because I'm just doing this for fun. I'm not a student so I can't get a student license. I'm betting VSCodium will be fine.

I'm also going to experiment with Local (localwp.com). Yes, it's for WordPress but, I briefly read that you can use it for non-WordPress sites too. It comes with PHP, MySQL/Nginx, and more. Just like their website says, with a few clicks I had WordPress locally installed. It seems very easy and looks nice (that's all that matters is that the UI looks nice right?). Even if I'm unable to use it to test Flarum (and again maybe I will be able to... which will be very cool), I can still use it to make some WordPress themes which will be fun for me too.

I will set up Laravel Valet as well with PHP installed. That Local app was just very intriguing for a beginner who wants to mess around with a combination of WordPress and other PHP/JS platforms like Flarum.

That's all I have time for tonight.

010101

I couldn't sleep and I don't have to work today so I finished setting things up at 3am. 👀

I ended up setting up a basic AMP stack. With a couple extra tools like ~~Sequel Pro~~ Sequel Ace* and Laravel Vallet. I am now running Flarum locally! Progress has been made.

*Apparently Sequel Pro has been pretty much abandoned. It was crashing on me and not loading databases. Devoted community members forked Sequel Pro and created Sequel Ace. It seems to work well so far.

MikeJones

010101 you wont be disappointed. I got the mac M1 pro as well. I love it!

010101

Alright, I won't keep bumping the thread. Last note to say that I've got my local dev environment fully set up, went through a few tutorials, and made a new extension. It's amazing what having the proper tools can do for you. I'll be posting it with the extension tag shortly. It's extremely simple, yet something I personally need for one of my forums and something I've asked about in a separate post. It simply adds "logged-in" to the body tag if you're logged in. That's all. 🙂