Skip to content

Home

  • 1 min read

Debugging PHP Code in the Browser

In JavaScript, you can use console.log('whatever') for troubleshooting directly in your browser. However, when working with PHP, a little trick is required to accomplish the same thing. Here are the steps:

  1. Create a function named debug_to_console to handle the output to the console. Add this code to your PHP file:

```php function debug_to_console($data) { $output = $data; if (is_array($output)) { $output = implode(',', $output); }

   echo "<script>console.log('Debug Objects: " . $output . "');</script>";

} ```

  1. On the line where you need to output to the console, insert the following code:

php debug_to_console("Test");

  1. If you need to debug an object, you can log it like this:

php debug_to_console(json_encode($foo));

After following these steps, open your browser's developer tools. You should be able to see the PHP object displayed in the console using console.log.

  • in podcast
  • 2 min read

Debugging PHP Code in the Browser

Welcome to "Continuous Improvement," the podcast where we explore different techniques and strategies for continuously improving our coding skills. I'm your host, Victor, and in today's episode, we'll be diving into a helpful trick for outputting to the console in PHP.

Hey there, fellow developers! Have you ever found yourself in a troubleshooting situation when working with PHP? You know, that moment where you just wished you could use a simple console.log like in JavaScript. Well, today I have a neat little trick to share with you.

In JavaScript, debugging directly in the browser console is a breeze. But when it comes to PHP, things can get a bit tricky. However, fear not! With this technique, you'll be able to accomplish the same thing. So, let's dive into the steps.

Step one, create a function named debug_to_console. This function will handle the output to the console. You can add the following code to your PHP file:

function debug_to_console($data) {
    $output = $data;
    if (is_array($output)) {
        $output = implode(',', $output);
    }

    echo "<script>console.log('Debug Objects: " . $output . "');</script>";
}

Step two, when you need to output something to the console, insert the following code:

debug_to_console("Test");

And voila! You should see the desired output in your browser's developer tools console.

But wait, there's more. Step three allows you to go even further by debugging objects logged as JSON strings. Here's how you can do it:

debug_to_console(json_encode($foo));

By encoding the object as a JSON string, you can easily log complex objects and analyze their contents in the console.

And there you have it! A nifty little trick to output to the console while working with PHP. Remember, continuous improvement is key to becoming a better developer.

That's all for today's episode of "Continuous Improvement." I hope you found this PHP console logging technique helpful. Stay tuned for more coding tips and tricks in our future episodes.

If you have any suggestions for topics you'd like us to cover or any questions you'd like me to answer, feel free to reach out on our website, continuousimprovement.com. Keep coding and keep improving!

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

在瀏覽器中調試PHP代碼

在JavaScript中，你可以直接在瀏覽器中使用console.log('whatever')進行故障排查。然而，當使用PHP時，需要一些小技巧才能達到同樣的效果。以下是操作步驟：

  1. 創建一個名為debug_to_console的函數來處理輸出到控制台的內容。將此代碼添加到你的PHP文件中：

```php function debug_to_console($data) { $output = $data; if (is_array($output)) { $output = implode(',', $output); }

   echo "<script>console.log('Debug Objects: " . $output . "');</script>";

} ```

  1. 在你需要輸出到控制台的行處，插入以下程式碼：

php debug_to_console("Test");

  1. 如果你需要偵錯一個物件，您可以這樣記錄它：

php debug_to_console(json_encode($foo));

按照這些步驟操作後，打開你的瀏覽器的開發者工具。您應該能夠看到在控制台使用console.log顯示的PHP物件。

  • 2 min read

Installing Ubuntu 19.10 on a MacBook Pro 13,1

I became frustrated with macOS Catalina and decided to switch to Ubuntu as the primary operating system on my 13-inch MacBook Pro without a touch bar. As a software developer, I found that macOS bundles many tools with Xcode, which takes up to 10GB of disk space. While disk space wasn't my primary concern, sometimes the network can be slow for downloads, and updates can get stuck. Losing an hour to such issues is an unnecessary obstacle when trying to get work done.

I was initially concerned about whether the proprietary hardware would be compatible with an open-source Linux distribution. To my surprise, many features work right out of the box with a fresh install, thanks to the community's efforts. This includes the screen, keyboard, touchpad, and Wi-Fi. The only feature that doesn't work is the audio, but this can be circumvented using my USB Type-C headphones or an HDMI external monitor with speakers. This GitHub page offers excellent documentation on the compatibility of different MacBook hardware with Linux: MacBook Hardware Support on Linux.

If you're interested in trying Ubuntu on your MacBook Pro, here are the simple steps to follow:

  1. Download Ubuntu 19.10 from the official Ubuntu site.
  2. Create a bootable USB stick using Etcher by following the steps in this guide: Create a USB Stick on macOS.
  3. Restart your MacBook and press the Option key to select the USB stick as the boot device.
  4. Try Ubuntu and proceed with installation if it suits you.

That's it! As a developer, you can quickly set up essential tools like Git by running sudo apt install git. This is more straightforward than on macOS, which restricts your freedom in various ways. It's good not to become too comfortable with a single platform, as you can't always trust big corporations to act in your best interest—such as protecting your personal data from government surveillance. Embrace the open-source community and appreciate the freedom to choose an alternative operating system.

P.S. 1: To get Bluetooth working, run the script found in this repository:

MacBook Bluetooth Driver

P.S. 2: To get the camera working, install the driver by following this guide:

Camera Driver Guide

  • in podcast
  • 3 min read

Installing Ubuntu 19.10 on a MacBook Pro 13,1

Welcome to Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we explore ways to make our lives better, one step at a time. I'm your host, Victor, and today we're going to talk about a topic that might interest our fellow software developers out there. Have you ever found yourself frustrated with a particular operating system? Well, I certainly have, and today I want to share with you my journey from macOS to Ubuntu on my MacBook Pro.

As a software developer, having the right tools and environment to work in is essential. But sometimes, the operating system you're using can prove to be a roadblock to your productivity. That's when I decided to explore an alternative, and after some research, I found that Ubuntu could be the answer.

One of the reasons I wanted to switch from macOS Catalina to Ubuntu was the amount of disk space that Xcode and its bundled tools were taking up. Up to 10GB of disk space just for one software package! As a developer, I couldn't afford to waste precious time waiting for slow downloads and updates to finish.

Now, the first concern that popped into my mind was whether my MacBook Pro hardware would be compatible with an open-source Linux distribution like Ubuntu. But to my surprise, thanks to the efforts of the community, many features worked right out of the box with a fresh Ubuntu install. The screen, keyboard, touchpad, and Wi-Fi all worked seamlessly. The only feature that required a workaround was audio, which I managed to solve by using USB Type-C headphones or connecting to an external monitor with built-in speakers.

If you're curious about trying Ubuntu on your MacBook Pro, the process is actually quite simple. First, you'll need to download Ubuntu 19.10 from the official Ubuntu website. Once you have the ISO file, you'll create a bootable USB stick using a tool called Etcher. There's a helpful guide available on the Ubuntu website that will walk you through this step-by-step. After that, restart your MacBook, press the Option key, and select the USB stick as the boot device. From there, you can try Ubuntu and proceed with the installation if it suits your needs.

As a developer, I found that setting up essential tools like Git on Ubuntu was a breeze. With a simple command, you can install Git and start using it right away. This is a much more straightforward process compared to macOS, which can restrict your freedom in various ways.

It's important not to become too comfortable with a single platform. By exploring alternative operating systems like Ubuntu, you can embrace the open-source community and experience the freedom of choice. At times, big corporations may not always act in our best interest when it comes to protecting our personal data from government surveillance. That's where open-source software shines, giving us the opportunity to take control of our own digital lives.

Before we wrap up, I want to share a couple of additional resources if you decide to make the switch to Ubuntu on your MacBook Pro. If you want to get Bluetooth working, there's a handy script available on GitHub that you can use. And if you're also looking to get your camera working, there's a detailed guide available to help you install the necessary driver.

Well, that's all for today's episode of Continuous Improvement. I hope that this discussion on transitioning from macOS to Ubuntu has given you some valuable insights. Remember, don't be afraid to explore alternatives and continuously improve your work environment. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll tackle another exciting topic. Until then, keep striving for continuous improvement in all aspects of your life.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

在 MacBook Pro 13,1 上安裝 Ubuntu 19.10

我對 macOS Catalina 感到挫折，因此決定將 Ubuntu 設為我 13 英寸的 MacBook Pro（不帶觸控條）的主要操作系統。作為一名軟件開發者，我發現 macOS 會與 Xcode 一同打包許多工具，這將佔用多達10GB的磁碟空間。雖然磁碟空間並非我主要的憂慮，但有時候網路下載的速度會很慢，而更新也可能會卡住。在試圖完成工作時流失一小時是不必要的障礙。

我起初擔心專有硬體是否能與開源的 Linux 分佈版兼容。令我驚訝的是，許多功能在初次安裝後就可以立即使用，感謝社區的努力。這包括了螢幕、鍵盤、觸控板，以及 Wi-Fi。唯一不適用的功能是音訊，但我可以使用我的 USB Type-C 耳機或帶有喇叭的 HDMI 外接顯示器來解決這個問題。這個 GitHub 頁面提供了關於各種 MacBook 硬體與 Linux 兼容性的詳細文檔：MacBook 在 Linux 上的硬體支援。

如果你對在 MacBook Pro 上試用 Ubuntu 感興趣，請按照以下幾個簡單的步驟操作：

  1. 從 Ubuntu 官方網站 下載 Ubuntu 19.10。
  2. 按照此指南的步驟，使用 Etcher 製作可開機的 USB 隨身碟：在 macOS 上製作 USB 隨身碟。
  3. 重新啟動你的 MacBook，並按下 Option 鍵,選擇 USB 隨身碟作為開機設備。
  4. 嘗試使用 Ubuntu，如果你覺得合適，就繼續進行安裝。

就是這樣！作為開發者，你可以透過執行 sudo apt install git 來快速設定這類必要工具。這比在 macOS 上更簡單，macOS會以各種方式來限制你的自由。不應該對任何一個平台過於依賴，因為不能一直相信大公司會為了你的最佳利益行事，例如保護你的個人資料不受政府監視。擁抱開源社區，欣賞選擇替代操作系統的自由。

附註 1： 若要讓藍牙運作，請在這個儲存庫中執行找到的腳本：

MacBook 藍牙驅動

附註 2： 若要讓相機運作，請按照這份指南來安裝驅動：

相機驅動指南

  • 2 min read

Setting Up MongoDB with Koa.js

I'm building a Koa.js server and need to connect it to MongoDB to store and retrieve data. Here's how to accomplish this in a few simple steps:

Step 1: Connect to the Database Before Initializing the Koa App

const initDB = require("./database")

initDB()

const app = new Koa()

Inside database.js, import mongoose. Make sure to install mongoose using npm install --save mongoose as well. Mongoose is an Object Data Modeling (ODM) library.

const mongoose = require("mongoose")
import { connectionString } from "./conf/app-config"

const initDB = () => {
  mongoose.connect(connectionString)

  mongoose.connection.once("open", () => {
    console.log("Connected to the database")
  })

  mongoose.connection.on("error", console.error)
}

module.exports = initDB

Next, create the configuration for your connection string:

export const connectionString =
  "mongodb+srv://" +
  secret.mongodb.username +
  ":" +
  secret.mongodb.password +
  "@xxxxxx.mongodb.net/test?retryWrites=true&w=majority"

You can either run a local MongoDB instance or use MongoDB Atlas and host it on AWS cloud. You'll find the connection string to include in your config file there.

Step 2: Create a Schema in Koa

For instance, let's create a user schema inside /models/users.js.

const mongoose = require("mongoose")
const Schema = mongoose.Schema

const UserSchema = new Schema({
  username: String,
  email: String,
  picture: String,
})

module.exports = mongoose.model("User", UserSchema)

Step 3: Create a Service to Query the Data

Let's say we have a /service/user.service.js.

import User from "../models/users"

export const getUserFromDb = async username => {
  const data = await User.findOne({ username })
  return data
}

export const createUserInDb = async user => {
  const newUser = new User(user)
  await newUser.save()
  return user
}

Step 4: Call the Service in the Koa Controller

For instance, let's say we have a /controller/user.controller.js.

    import { getUserFromDb, createUserInDb } from '../service/user.service';

    static async getUser(ctx) {
      const user = await getUserFromDb(ctx.query.username);
      ctx.body = user;
    }

    static async registerUser(ctx) {
      const user = await createUserInDb(ctx.request.body);
      ctx.body = user;
    }

Finally, you can register the route using the controller. Now you should be able to see the data being stored in the database. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

  • in podcast
  • 2 min read

Setting Up MongoDB with Koa.js

Welcome back to another episode of Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we explore the world of software development and find ways to level up our coding skills. I'm your host, Victor. In today's episode, we're going to dive into connecting a Koa.js server to a MongoDB database. If you're ready to learn, let's get started!

Before we begin, make sure you have Koa.js and MongoDB installed. Once that's done, let's jump right into the steps.

Step one, connect to the database before initializing the Koa app. To do this, you'll need to create a database.js file. Inside that file, import Mongoose, an Object Data Modeling (ODM) library, and your connection string from the configuration file. Remember to install Mongoose by running npm install --save mongoose.

const mongoose = require('mongoose');
import { connectionString } from './conf/app-config';

const initDB = () => {
  mongoose.connect(connectionString);

  mongoose.connection.once('open', () => {
    console.log('Connected to the database');
  });

  mongoose.connection.on('error', console.error);
};

module.exports = initDB;

Step two, create a schema in Koa. For example, let's create a user schema inside the /models/users.js file.

const mongoose = require('mongoose');
const Schema = mongoose.Schema;

const UserSchema = new Schema({
  username: String,
  email: String,
  picture: String
});

module.exports = mongoose.model('User', UserSchema);

Step three, create a service to query the data. In this example, we'll create a /service/user.service.js file.

import User from '../models/users';

export const getUserFromDb = async (username) => {
  const data = await User.findOne({ username });
  return data;
};

export const createUserInDb = async (user) => {
  const newUser = new User(user);
  await newUser.save();
  return user;
};

And finally, step four, call the service in the Koa controller. For instance, let's say we have a /controller/user.controller.js file.

import { getUserFromDb, createUserInDb } from '../service/user.service';

static async getUser(ctx) {
  const user = await getUserFromDb(ctx.query.username);
  ctx.body = user;
}

static async registerUser(ctx) {
  const user = await createUserInDb(ctx.request.body);
  ctx.body = user;
}

And there you have it! By following these steps, you should be able to connect your Koa.js server to a MongoDB database. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.

That's it for today's episode of Continuous Improvement. I hope you found this information helpful in your journey as a developer. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more valuable insights and tips. Until next time, happy coding!

  • in zh
  • 2 min read

設置 MongoDB 與 Koa.js

我正在建設一個 Koa.js 服務器，並需要將其連接到 MongoDB 以儲存和檢索數據。以下是如何在幾個簡單的步驟中實現這一點：

步驟1：初始化 Koa 應用程序之前連接到數據庫

const initDB = require("./database")

initDB()

const app = new Koa()

在 database.js 中，導入 mongoose。同時確保使用 npm install --save mongoose 進行安裝。Mongoose 是一個物件數據建模（ODM）庫。

const mongoose = require("mongoose")
import { connectionString } from "./conf/app-config"

const initDB = () => {
  mongoose.connect(connectionString)

  mongoose.connection.once("open", () => {
    console.log("Connected to the database")
  })

  mongoose.connection.on("error", console.error)
}

module.exports = initDB

接下來，為您的連接字符串創建配置：

export const connectionString =
  "mongodb+srv://" +
  secret.mongodb.username +
  ":" +
  secret.mongodb.password +
  "@xxxxxx.mongodb.net/test?retryWrites=true&w=majority"

您可以運行本地 MongoDB 實例，或者使用 MongoDB Atlas 並將其託管在 AWS 雲上。您會在那裡找到包含在配置文件中的連接字符串。

步驟2：在 Koa 中創建一個 Schema

例如，讓我們在 /models/users.js 中創建一個用戶模式。

const mongoose = require("mongoose")
const Schema = mongoose.Schema

const UserSchema = new Schema({
  username: String,
  email: String,
  picture: String,
})

module.exports = mongoose.model("User", UserSchema)

步驟3：創建一個服務來查詢數據

假設我們有一個 /service/user.service.js。

import User from "../models/users"

export const getUserFromDb = async username => {
  const data = await User.findOne({ username })
  return data
}

export const createUserInDb = async user => {
  const newUser = new User(user)
  await newUser.save()
  return user
}

步驟4：在 Koa 控制器中調用服務

例如，假設我們有一個 /controller/user.controller.js。

    import { getUserFromDb, createUserInDb } from '../service/user.service';

    static async getUser(ctx) {
      const user = await getUserFromDb(ctx.query.username);
      ctx.body = user;
    }

    static async registerUser(ctx) {
      const user = await createUserInDb(ctx.request.body);
      ctx.body = user;
    }

最後，您可以使用控制器註冊路由。現在，您應該能夠看到數據被存儲在數據庫中。如果您有任何問題，請隨時聯繫我。

  • 3 min read

Migrating Your Blog from Medium to Ghost 3.0

Ghost 3.0 has just been released (https://ghost.org/3/). I have a strong preference for Ghost over WordPress because it uses Node.js instead of PHP. Not only is Ghost open-source, but it also offers a pretty cool dark theme. So, I decided to migrate my blog away from Medium. However, the process isn't straightforward and does come with some associated costs. Here are the steps to help you navigate the migration and regain control of your content:

Step 1: Export Posts from Medium

Navigate to Settings on Medium and find the section that allows you to download your data:

Step 2: Import to WordPress.com and Export the File

Create a free account on WordPress.com. In the Import section, you'll find an option to import content from Medium:

After successfully importing your content from Medium, you can then export the file from WordPress.com:

Step 3: Import the File to WordPress.org via Plugin and Export the File

Download the open-source WordPress software from http://wordpress.org/ and run it locally using MAMP (https://www.mamp.info/en/). Copy all the WordPress files and place them in the /htdocs folder within MAMP. Start the server, and you should be able to run the local WordPress instance with MySQL installed.

Navigate to the Import section and select the option to import from WordPress:

Next, install the official Ghost plugin from https://wordpress.org/plugins/ghost/ and export your blog posts using this plugin:

Although there's an option to download the Ghost file, it didn't work for me. Try clicking on the download .json file instead.

Step 4: Import to Ghost Blog

Go to Settings and then the Labs section in Ghost, and import your file:

Fingers crossed! If all goes well, you should see all your posts from Medium now migrated to Ghost 3.0. Happy blogging :)