Deployment

Introduction

Deploying a MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) stack application, with the frontend hosted on Netlify and the backend on Vercel. This setup leverages the strengths of both platforms for a seamless and efficient deployment experience.

• Learning Objectives: what you can expect to learn from studying this material
• Suggested Study: Helpful links for this module, useful but not required.

Learning Objectives

1. Choosing Hosting Platforms:

   • Compare and contrast the features of Netlify and Vercel as hosting platforms for frontend and backend services, respectively.

2. Netlify for Frontend:

   • Learn how to set up a Netlify account and connect a GitHub repository for seamless frontend deployments.
   • Understand the importance of specifying build commands, output directories, and environment variables in the Netlify dashboard.

3. Vercel for Backend:

   • Familiarize yourself with the Vercel platform by creating an account and connecting a GitHub repository for backend deployments.
   • Gain insights into configuring build settings, including build commands and output directories, in the Vercel dashboard.

4. Environment Variables and Security:

   • Grasp the significance of environment variables in both Netlify and Vercel for managing sensitive information such as API keys and database connection strings.
   • Learn best practices for securely setting and managing environment variables in deployment environments.

5. Manual and Automatic Deployments:

   • Understand the process of triggering manual deployments on both Netlify and Vercel.
   • Explore the benefits and considerations of setting up automatic deployments for continuous integration.

6. Monitoring and Logs:

   • Gain proficiency in monitoring deployments by reviewing deployment logs in both Netlify and Vercel dashboards.
   • Learn how to troubleshoot common deployment issues and interpret deployment logs effectively.

7. Testing Deployed Applications:

   • Develop a testing strategy for thoroughly testing a MERN stack application after deployment on Netlify and Vercel.
   • Explore tools and methodologies for testing frontend and backend functionality independently.

8. Scalability Considerations:

   • Understand how the chosen hosting platforms support scalability for both frontend and backend services.
   • Explore features such as serverless functions and CDN integration for optimizing application performance.

9. Documentation and Collaboration:

   • Develop documentation practices for recording deployment configurations and settings.
   • Explore collaboration features within Netlify and Vercel for team-based deployments and project management.