Welcome to the world of the MEVN stack! This powerful combo offers a seamless way to build full-stack applications using Node.js, Express, MongoDB, and Vue.js with Vuetify for an elegant user interface. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the installation, setup, and running of a basic application using this stack, while also providing troubleshooting tips. So buckle up, and let’s get building!

What You’ll Need

Before diving in, ensure you have the following installed on your machine:

• Node.js
• Express
• MongoDB
• Vue.js
• Vuetify for a beautiful UI

Installation Steps

To set up your MEVN stack application, you can either clone the repository or use it as a GitHub template. Follow these friendly steps:

• Clone the repository:

git clone git@github.com:aturingmachinemevn-stack.git [directory-name]

• Or use the template:

git clone your-repo

• Run the setup script:

npm run setup

• If the setup script fails, follow these steps:
• Install dependencies in both sub-projects:

npm ci

npm ci --prefix client

• Copy the environment file:

cp .env.example .env

Dependencies to Keep in Mind

Aside from the aforementioned technologies, you will also need:

• A MongoDB instance to connect to your application.
• The Vue CLI installed for scaffolding and managing your Vue.js projects.

Development Phase

Now that your setup is complete, it’s time to kickstart the development server!

• To run both the Vue development server and Express application simultaneously, use the helper script:

npm run dev

• Alternatively, if you want to run each application individually:
• To start the Express server with auto-reloading through Nodemon:

npm run dev:server

• To start the Vue application with Hot Module Reload (HMR) and reloading:

npm run dev:client

Understanding the Code: An Analogy

Imagine you’re building a treehouse. Each branch represents a part of your application. Node.js is the sturdy trunk that supports your entire structure, providing the necessary strength and stability. The Express framework serves as the planks that hold the treehouse together, allowing you to design and create the structure you envision. MongoDB is like the treasure chest in your treehouse where you keep all your toys (data), and Vue.js is the beautiful curtains that provide style and make it inviting. Vuetify enhances that style with added decorations, making your treehouse the coolest spot in the neighborhood!

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues during the installation or running of your application, here are some troubleshooting steps that may help:

• Check if Node.js is correctly installed by running node -v in your terminal.
• Ensure MongoDB is up and running. You can do this by checking its status in your system services.
• If the Vue CLI is not recognized, ensure it’s globally installed with:

npm install -g @vue/cli

• If you encounter problems with npm scripts, try re-installing your packages:

npm install

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now set up the MEVN stack and are ready to dive deeper into full-stack development. With these tools at your fingertips, the possibilities for your web applications are endless. At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.