Mastering Sails.js Command-line Operations (with Examples)
Sails.js is a powerful MVC (Model-View-Controller) framework designed for building enterprise-grade, real-time applications on top of Node.js. It is widely appreciated for its convention-over-configuration approach, which makes it easier for developers to rapidly create applications that adhere to the architectural best practices. Sails’ command-line interface (CLI) provides numerous utilities to facilitate the development process. In this article, we’ll explore various Sails commands, detailing their use cases, motivations, explanations, and what outputs you can expect from running them.
Starting Sails: sails lift
Code:
sails lift
Motivation:
Starting a Sails application is one of the first steps in the development lifecycle. The sails lift command initiates the server and gets your application running. It’s equivalent to starting a car’s engine, gearing the application for development, allowing developers to test functionalities and interact with the project in real-time.
Explanation of Arguments:
sails: This invokes the Sails.js command-line tool.lift: This sub-command starts the Sails server. By default, it uses the settings defined in the configuration files to run the application on a local server.
Example Output:
When executing sails lift, the terminal output looks like this:
info: Starting app in development mode...
info: Welcome to Sails...
info: To shut down Sails, press <CTRL> + C at any time.
debug: -------------------------------------------------------
debug: :: Mon Oct 25 2021 14:39:22 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)
info: Server lifted in `/Users/username/myapp`
debug: Environment : development
debug: Port : 1337
debug: -------------------------------------------------------
Creating a New Sails Project: sails new projectName
Code:
sails new projectName
Motivation:
The sails new command is crucial when starting a new Sails.js project, as it scaffolds a new application based on default structures and settings. This command helps developers by providing a ready-to-use template, aiding them to focus on building features rather than setting up configurations from scratch.
Explanation of Arguments:
sails: Calls the Sails command-line interface.new: This command initiates the creation of a new Sails application.projectName: This is the name of the directory where the new project will reside and by which it will be identified.
Example Output:
Running sails new projectName initiates a series of actions that may result in output like:
info: Created a new Sails app `projectName`!
info: Created ``projectName`` folder containing project files.
Your project has been set up in the following directory:
/Users/username/path/to/projectName
info: Installing dependencies...
...
info: Dependencies installed!
Generating a Sails API: sails generate name
Code:
sails generate api name
Motivation:
APIs form the backbone of any application by handling requests and serving responses. Using the sails generate api command allows developers to rapidly scaffold essential components of an API, including controllers and models, fostering productivity and ensuring consistency across projects.
Explanation of Arguments:
sails: Invokes the Sails command tool.generate: This command triggers the generation of various components within a Sails application.api: Specifies that you are generating an API, which includes both a model and a controller.name: Refers to the name of the API component you wish to create.
Example Output:
Executing this command may generate output such as:
info: Created a new api `name`.
Created a new controller: /controllers/NameController.js
Created a new model: /models/Name.js
info: Successfully generated `api`!
Generating a Sails Controller: sails generate controller name
Code:
sails generate controller name
Motivation:
Controllers in Sails.js manage the logic of user interactions, handling requests and responses for specific routes. Generating controllers through the command line aids developers by automating the creation of necessary files, enabling a focus on writing the business logic instead of worrying about file structures.
Explanation of Arguments:
sails: This is the Sails.js CLI.generate: Specifies the action to create components.controller: Indicates that a controller is to be created.name: The desired name of the controller to be generated.
Example Output:
After running the command, output might resemble:
info: Created a new controller: /controllers/NameController.js
Generating a Sails Model: sails generate model name
Code:
sails generate model name
Motivation:
Models represent and manage data logic, closely tying parts of an application to the database’s structure in a consistent manner. Generating a model via the command line saves time and helps maintain uniformity, especially when dealing with large-scale applications.
Explanation of Arguments:
sails: Calls the Sails.js framework.generate: Initiates the creation process for a specific component.model: Specifies that a model is to be created.name: The name of the model that you wish to create.
Example Output:
The terminal will show output like:
info: Created a new model: /models/Name.js
Conclusion:
Sails.js provides a productive environment for developers with its powerful command-line interface. Using commands such as sails lift, sails new, and sails generate, developers can effectively manage their application’s lifecycle, from inception through to creating complex APIs and database models. Mastery of these commands enhances a developer’s ability to quickly prototype and deploy robust applications.
