How to use the command "mix" (with examples)

The “mix” command is a build tool that provides tasks for creating, compiling, and testing Elixir projects, managing its dependencies, and more. It is a powerful tool for developers working with Elixir.

Use case 1: Execute a particular file

Code:

mix run my_script.exs

Motivation: Executing a particular file using the “mix run” command allows developers to quickly run and test an Elixir script without having to compile the entire project.

Explanation:

• “mix run”: This is the command to execute an Elixir script using Mix.
• “my_script.exs”: This is the name of the Elixir script file that you want to execute.

Example output:

Hello, World!

Use case 2: Create a new project

Code:

mix new project_name

Motivation: Creating a new project using the “mix new” command provides a structured and ready-to-use Elixir project template, which helps developers get started quickly.

Explanation:

• “mix new”: This is the command to create a new Elixir project using Mix.
• “project_name”: This is the name of the project you want to create.

Example output:

* creating README.md
* creating .formatter.exs
* creating .gitignore
* creating mix.exs
* creating lib
* creating lib/project_name.ex
* creating test
* creating test/test_helper.exs
* creating test/project_name_test.exs

Your Mix project was created successfully.

Use case 3: Compile project

Code:

mix compile

Motivation: Compiling the project using the “mix compile” command helps to translate the Elixir source code into bytecode that can be executed by the BEAM (Erlang virtual machine). This step is necessary before running or deploying the project.

Explanation:

• “mix compile”: This is the command to compile an Elixir project using Mix.

Example output:

Compiling 5 files (.ex)
Generated project_name app

Use case 4: Run project tests

Code:

mix test

Motivation: Running tests using the “mix test” command allows developers to ensure that the project’s functionalities work correctly, catching any bugs or regressions.

Explanation:

• “mix test”: This is the command to run tests for an Elixir project using Mix.

Example output:

Compiling 2 files (.ex)
Generated project_name app
......

Finished in 0.1 seconds
6 tests, 0 failures

Use case 5: List all mix commands

Code:

mix help

Motivation: Listing all mix commands using the “mix help” command provides developers with a comprehensive overview of the available mix tasks, allowing them to explore additional functionality and options.

Explanation:

• “mix help”: This command displays a list of available mix tasks and provides brief descriptions of each task.

Example output:

mix                       # Lists all available tasks
mix app.start             # Starts all registered apps
mix archive.build         # Archives this project into a .ez file
mix archive.install       # Installs an archive locally
...

Conclusion:

In this article, we explored the different use cases of the “mix” command. We learned how to execute a particular file, create a new project, compile a project, run project tests, and list all mix commands. The “mix” command is a versatile tool for managing and working with Elixir projects, providing developers with a wide range of functionalities and options.