How to Use the Command 'ddev' (with Examples)

DDEV is a container-based local development tool primarily designed for PHP environments. It streamlines and simplifies the setting up, management, and configuration of local development environments conducive for web projects. By leveraging containerization, DDEV ensures that the development environment is consistent across different systems, mitigating the typical “it works on my machine” conundrum. Here, we explore various practical use cases of the DDEV command, illustrating its versatility and utility in PHP development environments.

Use Case 1: Start Up a Project

Code:

ddev start

Motivation: Using ddev start is essential for initiating a development project. This command powers up the required containers and services configured for the project, allowing you to begin or resume development locally. It’s akin to flipping the switch to start working on a project efficiently.

Explanation:

• ddev: The base command for accessing DDEV functionalities.
• start: The action keyword which indicates the need to start up the necessary containers for the project environment.

Example Output: After running this command, you might see output similar to:

Project my_project has started using docker
http://my_project.ddev.site

Use Case 2: Configure a Project’s Type and Docroot

Code:

ddev config

Motivation: Before starting a project, configuring it ensures that the environment knows what type of project it is (e.g., Drupal, WordPress, Laravel) and where the document root is located. This step is crucial for customizing the setup according to the project’s specific requirements, leading to a more organized and efficient workflow.

Explanation:

• ddev: The core command for accessing DDEV functionalities.
• config: This command launches an interactive configuration process where you specify the type of project and its docroot (the main directory for your web files).

Example Output: Expected output might look like:

Configuring project name...
Project Type?
1. Drupal 7
2. Drupal 8
3. WordPress
Enter docroot location:

Use Case 3: Follow the Log Trail

Code:

ddev logs -f

Motivation: Developers often need to monitor logs to debug issues or verify that services are running smoothly. The ddev logs -f command follows the log in real-time, providing immediate feedback for any changes or errors occurring within the containers.

Explanation:

• ddev: The base command for accessing DDEV functionalities.
• logs: This specifies that you want to access the logs associated with the project.
• -f: A flag for “follow”, meaning the command will continue displaying new log entries as they are generated.

Example Output: Log outputs might continuously stream, showing:

[15/Oct/2023:09:41:18] "GET / HTTP/1.1" 200 -

Use Case 4: Run Composer Within the Container

Code:

ddev composer

Motivation: Composer is a crucial dependency manager for PHP. Running it directly within the container through ddev composer ensures compatibility and avoids installation issues on the host machine by using the container’s environment to execute Composer commands.

Explanation:

• ddev: The foundational command for handling DDEV tasks.
• composer: This command directly ties into Composer functionalities, facilitating operations like installing, updating, or checking PHP dependencies.

Example Output: When running a composer command, some output might look like:

Loading composer repositories with package information
Dependency resolution completed in 0.123 seconds

Use Case 5: Install a Specific Node.js Version

Code:

ddev nvm install version

Motivation: Node.js version management is essential for maintaining compatibility across different project requirements. ddev nvm install version allows developers to seamlessly switch to the required Node.js version within the project’s container environment, streamlining development and testing processes.

Explanation:

• ddev: The command to access DDEV capabilities.
• nvm: Stands for Node Version Manager, which is incorporated to handle Node.js versions.
• install: The action verb to download and install a Node.js version.
• version: Placeholder representing the specific Node.js version you’d like to install (e.g., 14.17.6).

Example Output: After specifying a version, you might see output such as:

Downloading and installing node v14.17.6...
Now using node v14.17.6

Use Case 6: Export a Database

Code:

ddev export-db --file=/tmp/db.sql.gz

Motivation: Exporting databases is a common task for backup or migration purposes. With ddev export-db, developers can effortlessly create a compressed SQL dump of their database, ensuring data integrity and portability between environments.

Explanation:

• ddev: The command to access DDEV services.
• export-db: Command that initiates the export process for the database.
• --file=/tmp/db.sql.gz: This option allows you to specify the output file location and name. /tmp/db.sql.gz represents a gzipped SQL dump file saved in the /tmp directory.

Example Output: A successful export might provide feedback like:

Database exported to /tmp/db.sql.gz

Use Case 7: Run a Specific Command Within a Container

Code:

ddev exec echo 1

Motivation: Executing commands directly inside the container can be an essential debugging tool, as well as a part of development scripts. With ddev exec, developers have the flexibility to run shell commands directly inside the project container, ensuring that executions happen in the correct context and environment.

Explanation:

• ddev: The command initiating access to DDEV services.
• exec: Signifies the execution of a command inside the container.
• echo 1: The specific shell command to be run, where echo 1 simply outputs 1 to the console.

Example Output: The output for this simple command would display:

1

Conclusion:

‘DDEV’ is a powerful tool for developers who require consistent and efficient local environments for PHP projects. Its use cases, from starting projects and configuring environments to executing custom commands and managing data, highlight its essential role in modern development workflows. By offering container-based solutions, DDEV ensures that development, testing, and deployment processes are streamlined, efficient, and reliable across different systems and platforms.