Deploying a MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) stack application, with the frontend hosted on Netlify and the backend on Vercel. This setup leverages the strengths of both platforms for a seamless and efficient deployment experience.
- Learning Objectives: what you can expect to learn from studying this material
- Suggested Study: Helpful links for this module, useful but not required.
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Choosing Hosting Platforms:
- Compare and contrast the features of Netlify and Vercel as hosting platforms for frontend and backend services, respectively.
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Netlify for Frontend:
- Learn how to set up a Netlify account and connect a GitHub repository for seamless frontend deployments.
- Understand the importance of specifying build commands, output directories, and environment variables in the Netlify dashboard.
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Vercel for Backend:
- Familiarize yourself with the Vercel platform by creating an account and connecting a GitHub repository for backend deployments.
- Gain insights into configuring build settings, including build commands and output directories, in the Vercel dashboard.
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Environment Variables and Security:
- Grasp the significance of environment variables in both Netlify and Vercel for managing sensitive information such as API keys and database connection strings.
- Learn best practices for securely setting and managing environment variables in deployment environments.
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Manual and Automatic Deployments:
- Understand the process of triggering manual deployments on both Netlify and Vercel.
- Explore the benefits and considerations of setting up automatic deployments for continuous integration.
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Monitoring and Logs:
- Gain proficiency in monitoring deployments by reviewing deployment logs in both Netlify and Vercel dashboards.
- Learn how to troubleshoot common deployment issues and interpret deployment logs effectively.
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Testing Deployed Applications:
- Develop a testing strategy for thoroughly testing a MERN stack application after deployment on Netlify and Vercel.
- Explore tools and methodologies for testing frontend and backend functionality independently.
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Scalability Considerations:
- Understand how the chosen hosting platforms support scalability for both frontend and backend services.
- Explore features such as serverless functions and CDN integration for optimizing application performance.
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Documentation and Collaboration:
- Develop documentation practices for recording deployment configurations and settings.
- Explore collaboration features within Netlify and Vercel for team-based deployments and project management.