Web Development - directory/folder organisation
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- Webeez
- Jr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 48
- Thanks: 0
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If your like me and enjoy web development how do you structure your (directory in Linux) and (folders in windows). I always end up by mistake editing files that are original and should not be touched. Also what's the best way to organise your directory/folders used for web development activities.
I start with a web development directory then have sub directories for back-up - files from my server root safely backed up on my pc then have a folder for the projects I'm working on so I have Webeez directory then it all gets messed up over a few weeks. I need some kind of structure to have things in the correct place. It would make things easier to find and you could be more productive. I have a memory like a sieve and have to send out a search party sometimes just to find a file.
Looking for best practices used by RT! members.
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- drsawbones
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 154
- Thanks: 0
- Joomla Adict
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"in linux" are you referring to the files on the server? or are you using a LAMP?
I enjoy having a virgin client with a virgin build so that I can shape the structure on the server. Many times this is not the case and we have to deal with what's there, in cases, sub-domains instead of sub-folders. In general, I try to create folders and structure on the server that will benefit any SEO that might happen, keeping that in mind from the start will make the SEO stuff easier later. When you can't get around the sub-domain structure, hone your robots.txt and or .htaccess to reflect the "follow" you are trying to achieve.
Example:
http:/store.mysite.com //sub-domain structure
verses
www.mysite.com/store //sub-folder structure
on the server I do not install joomla on the root
public_html/
I usually put joomla in something like:
public_html/index/
public_html/catalog/
public_html/store/
public_html/forums/
and when making clones for development areas on the server:
public_html/dev_index/
public_html/dev_catalog/
public_html/dev_store/
public_html/dev_forums/
Then, it makes life easy when local...
Sites are off the root and are active live sites, I use FTP on save function in editor du'jour and make profile for each site with accurate and tested FTP on save link/info. (Do it once and let the application remember where stuff lives).
Local folders for live sites follow this structure:
site_myclients
site_myotherclients
site_mysite
development areas are also off the root and are named locally:
dev_myclients
dev_myotherclients
dev_mysite
And at the top of my local root I create a "Masters" folder
_masters
with the underscore so it sits at the top of the tree for me.
In there I mirror the naming convention per client
my client/site_backups/dev_myclient_bak.zip
my client/site_backups/site_myclient_bak.zip
my client/SQL_backups/mysql_myclient_bak.sql
my client/artwork/photoshop masters
my client/artwork/illustrator masters
Why do I do this master folder?
...because in 2 years from now I might come along and start cleaning the "sites" folder out
and I do NOT want to delete any master files that I created to replace any template, logo, or image files that aren't on the server. I also do it so that I can zip what I'm working on in total, move it to the server via FTP and then unzip it server site to save on one file at a time uploading to server.
Yes, it's a bit of a pain to have the master photoshop, fireworks, illustrator files outside from where your site's images and template image files are stored - having to point where to save the file each time, but it's worth it to keep that stuff out of your main working folders so that you can if need be zip up a whole folder and move it to the server without the BLOAT of the master art files in your website folder structure. This also means I can come along and delete anything site_ or dev_ without worrying about deleting someone's master logo file, sql backups, template masters or the like.
This works for me!
Reguards,
Doc
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- Webeez
- Jr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 48
- Thanks: 0
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Thanks for your reply, I was referring to using a pc for web development and not the external server/host or wamp/lamp itself. The reason I mentioned directory as I use Linux as my OS and others that don't use that would refer to the folder as the description in windows. I like the idea of storing the finished/completed work zipped on the server, but before its all finished that's were I struggle to have things organised.
Do you have other places on your pc were you store all the extras for J! and use that as a central repository on your pc or as a store for use in the projects. I start getting things all over the place because some components come with a set of accompanying modules and plug-ins and really need to be altogether but then I have separate areas for single components, modules, plug-in and templates. Then you have other scripts for other things originals and edited versions etc. It all can become a blur where thing are stored.
Another thing is Bookmarks/Favourites associated with resources for development and all the J! stuff you use, they are as bad to organise also. I always seem to work at a fast pace doing things and don't think to slow down and organise as I go, plus I skip through reading descriptions and other text on web-pages and really if I'm honest don't take on board what I read. Its a big task organising everything. It's really interesting how others deal with the structures put in place to keep track and organise things.
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- drsawbones
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 154
- Thanks: 0
- Joomla Adict
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Hiya, glad you understood it, I too type too fast and multitask way too much! meh...
so it goes, you made me peek; only to find I have:
4.34 GB of _Joomla! files/templates/extensions
86,039 files in 14,600 Folders
Created almost a year ago (no videos in that folder)...so that's just this past year of Joomla! modification collecting.
We should have a contest on who has the largest Joomla! collection! hahahaha
...anyway, I sort those by the structure at joomla.org extensions left sidebar categories, with one exception - I made an Administrator category where I collect what I consider can't live without extensions. I use my local repository of J-stuff basically as a guide to what I need and what it's called. After I locate it locally I check to see what is the most recent version available and get that if it's newer then in my collection, before installing it.
For bookmarks, if it's registered Joomla sites I use RoboForm. If I'm setting out to research for an hour or 2 I open up my favorites folders on desktop and drag drop out of the URL bar to the appropriate folders (dual monitor setup over here) . Saves time and hassle later.
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- Webeez
- Jr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 48
- Thanks: 0
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WOW @ 4.34gb - I have bits and pieces on my hard drive but I always clean out my system every few weeks and back-up to my external hard drive so as stated above not very organised. I need to start organising things better to be more efficient. If I think about myself I'm not organised because I have to many interests and I'm a jack of all trades and master of none and find it hard to keep track of everything. I suppose its like everything in life, you need to be organised and I'm just not organised full stop When I do a fresh install of my OS it all starts out very organised then as the weeks pass things just deteriorate.
I've bookmarked your site, not viewed much of it but looks like a great resource for Joomla, will join shortly.
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- drsawbones
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 154
- Thanks: 0
- Joomla Adict
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Hey again! great! thanks for the nod. It was fun building that site, not hard to maintain, but sure wish I could figure out how to jump start the community into "communicating". Perhaps when more "active" members join, instead of those just wanting to be "listed" somewhere???
Because I dabble so much and have been doing so for 20+ years, I feel like jack of all things internet and master at few, but I intend to keep plugging away until I'm master at all! LOL
I have too many computers here to reformat and start fresh, so it's imperative I stay somewhat organized and follow some type of convention. Back when I was teaching at the college I had to manage 4 computer labs with 26 computers in each, on top of a full teaching load....I think that this is where this joy of collecting bits started, along with how on earth to keep tabs on stuff I keep, make, or need to get to fast....the gift for gabbing at my typing rate of 100 wpm just comes naturally.
Oh, let me throw a small wrench into this theory....
how about storage for Joomla! things one has personally already tested vs. stuff that's hasn't been tested?
hehehehe now that would be an awesome sorting system!
Cheers,
Doc
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