Getting Started Dfinity SDK Guide

teddy67

25 Nov 201909:01

Summary

TLDRThis video tutorial provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on setting up a new project using the Definity SDK. It walks through the essential steps, including creating a project, editing configuration files, renaming directories, and writing the main code. Viewers learn how to build the project, start a Definity node, install the canister, and run functions effectively. The instructor emphasizes the importance of rebuilding the project after code changes and reinstalling the canister whenever a new node is started, ensuring a smooth development experience. Ideal for those new to the SDK, this guide equips users with foundational skills to advance their coding journey.

Takeaways

👋 Welcome to the walkthrough and setup guide for the Definity SDK, aimed at newcomers to the SDK.
📥 Ensure you've downloaded the latest version of the SDK before starting the project setup.
📂 Use the 'new' command to create a new project, which generates necessary files and directories.
📄 The dfx.json file is crucial for building your project and configuring settings.
✏️ Modify the main file to implement your desired functionality, replacing the default hello world code.
🔨 Build your project after making changes to check for errors using the 'dfx build' command.
🚀 Start the Definity node to run your project; you can do this in the background to continue using the terminal.
📦 Reinstall the canister each time you start a new node to ensure that it is recognized.
🔍 Always rebuild the project after editing the main file to apply changes correctly.
⚠️ If you attempt to run a function without installing the canister, you'll encounter an error.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the walkthrough?
-The walkthrough is designed to guide newcomers through setting up a new project using the Definity SDK and running a simple script on a mock Definity node.
Where should users download the Definity SDK?
-Users should download the latest version of the Definity SDK from the SDK's official website.
What command is used to create a new project?
-The command used to create a new project is `dfx new permutation`.
What does the `dfx.json` file contain?
-`dfx.json` contains important settings for building the project, including the project name and version of the SDK.
Why is it necessary to rename the source directory?
-Renaming the source directory from `hello` to `mutation` helps to avoid confusion and aligns it with the new project name.
What is the main file where code is written?
-The main file for writing code is typically named `main.mo`, located in the `source/mutation` directory.
What command do you use to build the project after making changes?
-To build the project after changes, use the command `dfx build`.
What should you do if you want to run a function from the canister?
-Before running a function from the canister, ensure that you have installed the canister using the command `dfx canister install permutation`.
What error occurs if the canister is not installed before running a function?
-If the canister is not installed before running a function, an error message stating 'canister not found' will appear.
What should you remember to do each time you edit the main file?
-Each time you edit the main file, you need to rebuild the project and reinstall the canister before running functions.