How to use the command 'ddev' (with examples)
The ‘ddev’ command is a container-based local development tool specifically designed for PHP environments. It provides a simplified way to manage and configure local development environments, making it easier to set up and work on PHP projects. This article will illustrate several use cases of the ‘ddev’ command and provide examples for each.
Use case 1: Start up a project
Code:
ddev start
Motivation:
Starting up a project is usually the first step when working on a PHP project. The ‘ddev start’ command allows you to quickly start your development environment, ensuring that all necessary containers are running and ready to be used.
Explanation:
- ‘ddev’: The command used to interact with the ‘ddev’ tool.
- ‘start’: The sub-command used to start the project.
Example output:
Starting project...
...
Project started successfully.
Use case 2: Configure a project’s type and docroot
Code:
ddev config
Motivation:
When setting up a new project, it is important to configure its type and docroot to match the project’s requirements. The ‘ddev config’ command allows you to easily set these configurations, ensuring that the project is properly set up.
Explanation:
- ‘ddev’: The command used to interact with the ‘ddev’ tool.
- ‘config’: The sub-command used to configure the project.
Example output:
Configuring project...
...
Project configured successfully.
Use case 3: [f]ollow the log trail
Code:
ddev logs -f
Motivation:
Sometimes it is necessary to monitor the logs of your development environment in real-time to debug or troubleshoot any issues. The ‘ddev logs -f’ command allows you to follow the log trail and see the latest logs from your running containers.
Explanation:
- ‘ddev’: The command used to interact with the ‘ddev’ tool.
- ’logs’: The sub-command used to view the logs.
- ‘-f’: The optional flag to follow the log trail in real-time.
Example output:
Use case 4: Run composer within the container
Code:
ddev composer
Motivation:
The ‘ddev composer’ command allows you to run Composer commands within the container, avoiding any version conflicts or compatibility issues that may arise when running Composer directly on your host machine. This ensures that the project’s dependencies are properly managed within the development environment.
Explanation:
- ‘ddev’: The command used to interact with the ‘ddev’ tool.
- ‘composer’: The sub-command used to run Composer commands.
Example output:
## Use case 5: Install a specific Node.js version
Code:
```shell
ddev nvm install version
Motivation:
In some cases, a PHP project may require the use of specific Node.js versions for certain front-end build processes or dependencies. The ‘ddev nvm install’ command allows you to easily install the required Node.js version within the development environment.
Explanation:
- ‘ddev’: The command used to interact with the ‘ddev’ tool.
- ’nvm’: The sub-command used to manage Node.js versions.
- ‘install’: The sub-command used to install a specific Node.js version.
- ‘version’: The specific Node.js version to be installed.
Example output:
## Use case 6: Export a database
Code:
```shell
ddev export-db --file=/tmp/db.sql.gz
Motivation:
Exporting a database is a common task when working on PHP projects, especially when moving data between development, staging, or production environments. The ‘ddev export-db’ command allows you to easily export the project’s database to a specified file, making it convenient for backup or migration purposes.
Explanation:
- ‘ddev’: The command used to interact with the ‘ddev’ tool.
- ’export-db’: The sub-command used to export the database.
- ‘–file’: The optional flag specifying the file path and name for the exported database.
Example output:
Use case 7: Run a specific command within a container
Code:
ddev exec echo 1
Motivation:
There may be times when you need to run a specific command within the container. The ‘ddev exec’ command allows you to execute a command within the container as if you were running it directly on the host machine.
Explanation:
- ‘ddev’: The command used to interact with the ‘ddev’ tool.
- ’exec’: The sub-command used to execute a command within the container.
- ’echo 1’: The specific command to be executed within the container.
Example output:
1
Conclusion:
The ‘ddev’ command provides a robust set of features and functionalities for managing and configuring local development environments for PHP projects. Whether you need to start a project or run specific commands within the container, the ‘ddev’ command simplifies the development process and increases productivity.
