I'm a Software Engineering student in my third year, and I'm looking to kickstart my journey into programming by building a Fantasy Football web app for my country's league. I've mainly focused on math and physics so far, but I want to dive into actual coding this year to develop discipline and get a project off the ground. I know some basic Python and I'm comfortable with SQL, but I'm considering switching to JavaScript for this project. My main challenges are:
1. Is using Node.js with SQL the right tech stack for my goals?
2. How can I manage the UI with minimal effort since I prefer to concentrate on the backend logic and database?
3. What are the steps I should take initially to structure my project for scalability, including folder organization and roadmap?
Any tips, resources, or advice would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Get your back-end up and running first, then worry about how to show it on the frontend later. Focus on the main features of your app and build those out with basic HTML/CSS. Experimenting and researching will guide your project further, so don't hesitate to look at examples on GitHub for insights!
If you're not into CSS, I suggest using React along with Material UI. It provides a bunch of pre-built components that can make your life easier. You could also use Redux for managing state between your components. And remember to focus on getting the backend logic straight before worrying too much about the UI. Stick with Node.js and possibly PostgreSQL for a solid structure.
Before anything, you need to determine where you're getting your data for the fantasy players and matches. Even if managing players is simple, without reliable data, your project won't take off. Look into reliable data sources like Sofascore or Fotmob, and maybe consider using Python for scraping the data you need.
Absolutely, sites like Sofascore have tons of stats. Also, an RPA script could automate retrieving that data regularly, which will save you a lot of time.
I feel you on the planning part! A possible roadmap could be:
1. Set up a simple homepage with a greeting.
2. Create multiple clickable pages.
3. Implement a RESTful API for data flow.
4. Structure out your classes and relationships.
5. Then, slowly bring in the frontend by attaching the database. This step-by-step approach can help clarify your vision and keep things organized!
You seem to be overlooking a key aspect: the data. Are you planning to enter it manually, scrape it, or pull from an API? Knowing how you'll maintain your data is crucial. Start small—get basic HTML up and running first, then gradually define what data each part of your app needs. Look at GitHub for inspiration too!
Thanks for this! The component library sounds like a great way to streamline my UI work.