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Node.js (via plugin)

General

Node.js is a platform built on Chrome's JavaScript runtime for easily building fast, scalable network applications. Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that makes it lightweight and efficient, perfect for data-intensive real-time applications that run across distributed devices. With Recent builds of CodeLite, it is possible to create, run and debug Node.js applications.

In short, Node.js is server side JavaScript engine

The workspace

To fully maximize CodeLite's JavaScript capabilities, you first need to create a workspace. A Node.js workspace is simply a folder with a single JSON file .workspace which contains some metadata information about the workspace. You can create a workspace for an existing source files or create a new workspace.

Create a new workspace

  • From the main menu, select File -> New -> New workspace
  • Select Node.js
  • In the dialog that shown, set the Name and the Path of the workspace
  • Optionally, check the option to create the workspace on a separate directory

Tip

To create a workspace from an existing source code base, set the workspace path to your code base location and make sure you un-checked the option Create the workspace in a separate directory

Tip

Another way of creating a workspace from an existing code base: Open your file browser (Windows Explorer, Dolphin, Finder etc) drag the source code folder and drop it on the workspace view

Hello World

Creating and running hello world

  • Create a new workspace as described here
  • Add an empty file to the workspace by right clicking on the folder and selecting New File
  • In the dialog that is shown, set the file name to test.js
  • Paste the following content and save the file:
function printHelloWorld() {
    console.log("Hello World");
}

printHelloWorld();
  • Click Ctrl+F5 to execute it
  • In the dialog that shown, click OK

Debugging

  • Click F5 to launch the debugger dialog
  • Accept the default values and click OK
  • You are ready to debug, use the following table to get started with the debugger:
Keyboard shortcut Description
F9 Toggle a breakpoint on the current line
F5 Start or resume the debugger operation
F10 Next line
F11 Step into a function
Shift+F11 Step out of a function
Hover over a variable and click Ctrl Display the debugger tooltip
Shift+F5 Stop the debugger

Tip

All the above shortcuts can be changed from the keyboard shortcuts dialog

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