Frontend Discussion: Documentation For Developers

Dec 6, 2025 by Alex Johnson 50 views

Welcome to the Frontend Discussion documentation! This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the project, designed to help developers understand the project structure, set up the environment locally, grasp the login process, learn how to submit projects, and visualize the user interface. This documentation caters to both developers actively contributing to the project and the TFM (Trabajo Fin de Máster) tribunal reviewing it.

1. Project Structure

Understanding the project's directory structure is crucial for efficient development and maintenance. This section provides a detailed breakdown of the key directories and files, explaining their purpose and relationships. A well-structured project promotes modularity, readability, and maintainability, making it easier for developers to navigate and contribute. This initial overview is indispensable for anyone looking to dive into the codebase and make meaningful contributions. Here’s a typical structure you might encounter:

src/: This is the heart of the application, containing all the source code.
- components/: Reusable UI elements that can be used throughout the application. Each component should have its own directory with the component file (e.g., Button.js) and any related styles or tests.
- pages/: Defines the different routes and views of the application. Each page usually corresponds to a specific URL.
- services/: Contains modules that handle API calls, data fetching, and other backend interactions. These services abstract away the complexities of data handling.
- utils/: Utility functions that are used across the application. This can include helper functions for formatting data, handling dates, or any other common tasks.
- App.js: The root component that ties everything together.
public/: Contains static assets such as images, fonts, and the index.html file.
config/: Configuration files for different environments (e.g., development, production).
scripts/: Custom scripts for tasks like building, testing, or deploying the application.
styles/: Global styles and stylesheets.
README.md: A comprehensive guide to the project, including setup instructions, project overview, and contribution guidelines.
package.json: Contains metadata about the project, including dependencies and scripts.
.gitignore: Specifies intentionally untracked files that Git should ignore.

By adhering to this structure, developers can ensure that the project remains organized and scalable. Each directory serves a specific purpose, making it easier to locate and modify code. Consistent naming conventions and clear documentation within each module further enhance the readability and maintainability of the codebase. Embracing this structure will significantly reduce the learning curve for new developers joining the project and streamline the development process.

2. How to Run Locally

Setting up the project locally is the first step to contributing and testing changes. This section provides a step-by-step guide to get the application running on your local machine. A smooth local setup process ensures that developers can quickly start working on the project without unnecessary delays. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid common pitfalls and ensure a hassle-free experience. Before you begin, make sure you have Node.js and npm (or Yarn) installed on your system. These are essential for running JavaScript-based frontend applications. Here’s how to get started:

Clone the Repository: Use Git to clone the project repository to your local machine. Open your terminal and run the following command, replacing <repository-url> with the actual URL of the project repository:
```
git clone <repository-url>
```
Navigate to the Project Directory: Change your current directory in the terminal to the newly cloned project directory:
```
cd <project-directory>
```
Install Dependencies: Install the project dependencies using npm or Yarn. If you prefer npm, run:
```
npm install
```
Alternatively, if you prefer Yarn, run:
```
yarn install
```
This command reads the package.json file and installs all the necessary packages required by the project.
Configure Environment Variables: Some projects require environment variables to be set for proper functioning. Look for a .env.example file in the project and create a .env file in the same directory. Populate the .env file with the necessary environment variables, such as API keys or database connection strings. Important: Never commit .env files to the repository to avoid exposing sensitive information.
Start the Development Server: Start the development server using npm or Yarn. Typically, the package.json file contains a start script that you can run:
```
npm start
```
Or, if you’re using Yarn:
```
yarn start
```
This command usually starts a local development server that automatically reloads the application whenever you make changes to the code. The server will typically run on http://localhost:3000 or a similar address.
Access the Application: Open your web browser and navigate to the address provided by the development server (e.g., http://localhost:3000). You should see the application running in your browser. If you encounter any issues, double-check the previous steps and ensure that all dependencies are installed correctly.

By following these steps, you can quickly and easily set up the project on your local machine and start contributing. Remember to consult the project’s README.md file for any specific instructions or configurations required for the project.

3. How Login Works

Understanding the login process is essential for both developers and users. This section explains the authentication flow, covering how users log in, how their sessions are managed, and the security measures in place. A secure and user-friendly login system is critical for protecting user data and ensuring a positive user experience. The login process typically involves the following steps:

User Input: The user enters their credentials (e.g., username and password) into the login form. The frontend captures this information and prepares it for transmission to the backend.
Request to Backend: The frontend sends a request to the backend with the user's credentials. This request is usually a POST request to an authentication endpoint (e.g., /api/login).
Authentication: The backend receives the request and verifies the user's credentials against the stored user data. This may involve checking the username and password against a database or using an authentication provider (e.g., OAuth, JWT).
Session Management: If the credentials are valid, the backend creates a session for the user. This session is typically managed using cookies or tokens. Cookies are small pieces of data stored in the user's browser, while tokens are cryptographic strings that can be stored on the client-side (e.g., in local storage or cookies).
Response to Frontend: The backend sends a response back to the frontend, indicating whether the login was successful or not. If successful, the response usually includes a session token or cookie.
Token/Cookie Storage: The frontend stores the session token or cookie in the browser. This allows the frontend to authenticate subsequent requests to the backend without requiring the user to log in again.
Protected Routes: The frontend uses the session token or cookie to access protected routes or resources. Before allowing access, the backend verifies the token or cookie to ensure that the user is authenticated.
Logout: When the user logs out, the frontend removes the session token or cookie from the browser and redirects the user to the login page. The backend also invalidates the session to prevent unauthorized access.

Security measures such as HTTPS, encryption, and secure password hashing are crucial for protecting user data during the login process. Additionally, implementing measures to prevent common attacks such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and cross-site request forgery (CSRF) is essential for maintaining the security of the application.

4. How to Submit a Project

Submitting a project involves several steps to ensure that the contribution is properly integrated into the main codebase. This section outlines the process, including coding standards, testing requirements, and the pull request workflow. A well-defined submission process ensures that the codebase remains clean, stable, and maintainable. Before submitting a project, ensure that it adheres to the project's coding standards. This includes using consistent naming conventions, proper indentation, and clear comments. Code should be well-structured and easy to understand. Follow these steps to submit a project:

Create a Branch: Create a new branch in your local repository for the project you want to submit. This branch should be based on the latest version of the main branch. Use a descriptive name for the branch that reflects the purpose of the project:
```
git checkout -b feature/new-project
```
Implement the Project: Implement the project, following the project's coding standards and best practices. Ensure that the code is well-documented and easy to understand. Break down the project into smaller, manageable modules and components.
Test the Project: Thoroughly test the project to ensure that it functions correctly and meets the requirements. Write unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests to cover all aspects of the project. Use a testing framework such as Jest or Mocha to automate the testing process. Ensure that all tests pass before submitting the project.
Commit Changes: Commit the changes to your local branch with clear and descriptive commit messages. Each commit should represent a logical unit of work. Use the following format for commit messages:
```
feat: Add new project feature

This commit adds a new feature for submitting projects.
```
Push to Remote Repository: Push the branch to the remote repository:
```
git push origin feature/new-project
```
Create a Pull Request: Create a pull request (PR) from your branch to the main branch. Provide a clear and concise description of the project in the PR. Include any relevant information, such as the purpose of the project, the changes made, and any potential issues. Link the PR to any related issues or tasks.
Code Review: The project maintainers will review the PR and provide feedback. Address any comments or suggestions made by the reviewers. Make sure to update the PR with the necessary changes. Be responsive to the reviewers and engage in constructive discussions.
Merge the Pull Request: Once the PR has been approved, the project maintainers will merge it into the main branch. The project is now part of the main codebase.
Clean Up: After the PR has been merged, you can delete the branch from your local and remote repositories:
```
git branch -d feature/new-project
git push origin --delete feature/new-project
```

By following these steps, you can ensure that your project is properly submitted and integrated into the main codebase. Remember to adhere to the project's coding standards, test the project thoroughly, and provide clear and concise commit messages and PR descriptions.

5. Screenshots of the UI

Visual aids can greatly enhance understanding. This section includes screenshots of the user interface to provide a clear picture of the application's look and feel. These screenshots help developers and the TFM tribunal visualize the application and understand its functionality. Here are a few screenshots:

Login Page: A screenshot of the login page, showing the input fields for username and password, as well as the login button.
Dashboard: A screenshot of the main dashboard, showing the key features and functionalities available to the user.
Project Submission Form: A screenshot of the project submission form, showing the fields required to submit a new project.
Project Listing: A screenshot of the project listing page, showing the list of submitted projects and their details.
Settings Page: A screenshot of the settings page, showing the options available to the user for configuring their account.

These screenshots provide a visual overview of the application and its key features. They help developers understand the UI and make it easier to navigate and contribute to the project. Including screenshots in the documentation makes it more accessible and user-friendly.

This documentation serves as a comprehensive guide for developers and the TFM tribunal, providing the necessary information to understand, set up, and contribute to the Frontend Discussion project. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the project remains well-maintained, scalable, and easy to use.

For more information on frontend development best practices, visit MDN Web Docs. This resource provides extensive documentation and tutorials on web development technologies.