Brainstorm for new idea

Notes from exploring a new product idea, from first principles through an early technical plan.

6,073 words

Why does one read documentation?

For me personally, reading documentation serves the ultimate purpose of implementing a project. Along the way, I usually pick up knowledge about a specific framework, and therefore enrich my technical skills. As a result of my technical skills being improved, I can develop more projects and sky is the limit. When developing new projects, I will often times go back to the documentation and refer to them as needed.

If there is a tool that can help me achieve such tasks, the process of reading documentation will be easier. So the key here is (1) doing projects and (2) gain knowledge along the way.

I read Stripe, Twilio, Express, Sequelize to implement a CRM system that handles SMS.

I read NextJs, React, Tailwind documentation to build my blog.

I read NestJs, Vite, Prisma, OpenAI, Pinecone documentation to build my side project.

So it’s always a combination of documentations across multiple platforms.

Why do I stop learning online courses and advice everyone to start doing their own project?

Learning by doing side project is much more fun. Plus, you only learn what you need to learn, no more being bloated by huge amount of dry knowledge. However, this suffers from the problem of “you don’t know what you don’t know”. Discoverability needs to be prioritised.

Had a good talk with a colleague. There are 3 types of learner:

  1. Very broad. Want to do a full-grown product without deep knowledge.
  2. Balanced between broad and deep. Want to be a better software engineer in general.
  3. Very deep. Want to be an expert in an area.

I fall into the type 1. The curriculum and discoverability need to take into account these 3 types of learners. But the type 1 will be very busy developing product without taking the time to actually learn something. They are the extreme of learning by doing: they do because they want a product people will use.

I think my target customers will be on type 2 and type 3.

Imagination

Q: What do you want to build?

A: A chatbot that can help answering customer product

Q: Select your stack from the following:

  • Frontend: NextJs, Vite
  • CSS: TailwindCSS, CSS Module.
  • Server: NestJs, ExpressJs
  • Database: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
  • ORM: Prisma, Sequelize, TypeORM, Mongoose
  • LLM API: OpenAPI, Coherent
  • Vector Database: Pinecone, Weaviate.

A: Select.

Then initialise the barebone for the project. Push to user’s github.

User can then clone and start the project: docker compose up and npm start

After this, what’s next? We need to guide learners in a high level manner:

  • Where is the entry point to start coding? Usually it’s the frontend
  • What should be the milestone?
  • What documentation to read?
  • What should they code first?

The whole course can be split to multiple projects: front-end project, backend and database design project.

Ability to guide learner to ask the right questions, then follow up questions, then grasp the concepts.

Where do learner code?

Browser

Local

End goal of project

I thought a project must have a definite answer and have to be replicable. But suddenly I think about my final year project. It’s a lost journey with so many uncertainties, but the rewards were worth it. So how to recreate such experience to my users? Plus, I’ve read good reviews about The Odin Project which essentially leaves learners with self-learning approach, and eventually they can build their own unique project. No definite answer needed.

In the past, problem with personalised learning is that it has no feedback loop. Such problem can be solved with LLM.

Learners have to spend time looking through tutorial

Existing solutions

CodeCrafter offers a platform to build Docker, Sqlite, Redis or Git from scratch. Build your own X seems to gain lots of traction

Good reviews from Reddit for Fullstackopen and especially The Odin Project

The Odin Project doesn’t provide guides to do projects, which demotivates learners easily.

Vision

Help developers learn faster and more efficient.

Missing elements of ChatGPT

My brother is learning Python and figured out what dictionary is, its usage, how it is different from array just by using ChatGPT. The implication on education is huge and obvious I think.

Me: You are a tutor who is an expert in programming and building projects.

GPT: Certainly! I can help you with programming and building projects. Please let me know what specific programming language or project you need assistance with, and I’ll do my best to guide you through it.

Me: I want to build an e-wallet that can take deposit and use the deposit amount to pay for things. I want to build it using NextJS as its frontend, NestJS as its server, PostgreSQL as the database and deploy to AWS. I am a complete beginner in programming. Can you help estimate how long does it take?

GPT: Building an e-wallet with the specified technologies can be a complex task, especially if you’re a complete beginner in programming. The time required to complete such a project can vary based on factors such as your familiarity with the technologies, the complexity of the desired features, and your learning speed. However, I can provide you with a rough estimate to give you an idea of the timeline involved.

Assuming you are starting from scratch and dedicating a significant amount of time each day to learning and implementing the project, here’s a breakdown of the estimated time required for each component:

  1. Learning the basics of programming: This depends on your dedication and learning style. It can take several weeks to grasp the fundamental concepts of programming, including variables, functions, control flow, and object-oriented programming.

  2. Learning Next.js: Next.js is a popular React framework for building server-side-rendered (SSR) and static websites. Depending on your familiarity with React, it may take around a week or two to become comfortable with Next.js and its concepts.

  3. Learning NestJS: NestJS is a backend framework for building scalable and maintainable server-side applications. If you’re new to backend development and TypeScript, it might take a couple of weeks to understand the basics and become proficient in NestJS.

  4. Understanding PostgreSQL: PostgreSQL is a robust and feature-rich relational database. Learning the basics of database design, SQL queries, and interacting with PostgreSQL can take a few weeks, depending on your prior experience with databases.

  5. Integrating the frontend and backend: Integrating Next.js with NestJS involves setting up API routes, handling requests, and managing state. This step might take a few weeks, including debugging and troubleshooting.

  6. Implementing e-wallet functionality: This step involves designing the data models, creating the necessary database tables, implementing deposit and payment functionality, and ensuring security and transaction management. Depending on the complexity of the e-wallet features, it could take several weeks to a couple of months.

  7. Deploying to AWS: Deploying your application to AWS involves setting up server infrastructure, configuring networking, and deploying your frontend and backend components. This process can take a few days to a week, depending on your familiarity with AWS.

Considering the above breakdown, it’s reasonable to expect that building an e-wallet application with the mentioned technologies could take several months. However, please note that these estimates are rough approximations, and the actual time required can vary based on individual circumstances.

It’s important to approach the project with a learning mindset, take it step by step, and not rush through the learning process. Additionally, you might encounter challenges along the way, but these obstacles will provide valuable learning opportunities.

Remember to break down the project into smaller tasks, seek help when needed (such as online tutorials, documentation, or forums), and allocate dedicated time for learning and implementation. Good luck with your e-wallet project!

Me: I want to build an e-wallet that can take deposit and use the deposit amount to pay for things. I want to build it using NextJS as its frontend, NestJS as its server, PostgreSQL as the database and deploy to AWS. I am a complete beginner in programming. Can you help design a detailed curriculum for it?

GPT: Certainly! I can help you design a detailed curriculum to guide you through the process of building an e-wallet using Next.js, NestJS, PostgreSQL, and deploying it to AWS. Keep in mind that this curriculum assumes you have no prior programming experience. It’s important to approach each step with patience and practice.

Here’s a suggested curriculum broken down into several stages:

Stage 1: Introduction to Programming

  1. Introduction to programming concepts (variables, data types, control structures)
  2. Introduction to JavaScript (variables, functions, conditional statements, loops)
  3. Introduction to HTML and CSS (basic structure, styling)

Stage 2: Frontend Development with Next.js

  1. Introduction to Next.js and React
  2. Setting up a Next.js project and understanding project structure
  3. Creating and styling basic components
  4. Routing and navigation in Next.js
  5. Working with forms and user input
  6. Managing state in Next.js (useState, useContext)

Stage 3: Backend Development with NestJS

  1. Introduction to NestJS and TypeScript
  2. Setting up a NestJS project and understanding project structure
  3. Creating routes and controllers
  4. Handling HTTP requests and responses
  5. Working with databases using TypeORM and PostgreSQL
  6. User authentication and authorization
  7. Error handling and validation

Stage 4: Database Management with PostgreSQL

  1. Introduction to relational databases and SQL
  2. Setting up PostgreSQL locally or using a cloud service
  3. Creating tables and defining relationships
  4. Writing SQL queries (select, insert, update, delete)
  5. Working with data in NestJS using TypeORM

Stage 5: Integrating Frontend and Backend

  1. Establishing API endpoints in NestJS
  2. Consuming API endpoints in Next.js
  3. Handling data transfer between frontend and backend
  4. Implementing authentication and authorization flows

Stage 6: E-wallet Functionality

  1. Designing data models for the e-wallet
  2. Implementing deposit functionality (updating user balance)
  3. Implementing payment functionality (deducting balance and updating transaction history)
  4. Validating transactions and handling errors
  5. Testing the e-wallet functionality

Stage 7: Deployment to AWS

  1. Introduction to AWS and its services (EC2, RDS, S3)
  2. Setting up an AWS account and configuring security settings
  3. Deploying the frontend to AWS S3
  4. Setting up and configuring the backend on an AWS EC2 instance
  5. Connecting to the PostgreSQL database on AWS RDS
  6. Testing the deployed application

Remember, this curriculum provides a general roadmap, and you may need to dive deeper into specific topics based on your project requirements and personal learning pace. Additionally, it’s essential to practice coding, experiment with the concepts you learn, and seek additional resources like tutorials, documentation, and online communities to reinforce your learning.

Building an e-wallet application is a complex endeavor, so take your time, be persistent, and enjoy the learning process. Good luck with your programming journey!

Me: I want to build an e-wallet that can take deposit and use the deposit amount to pay for things. I want to build it using NextJS as its frontend, NestJS as its server. I am a complete beginner in programming. Can you help design a detailed curriculum to build an MVP for it? The curriculum must slim down to absolute necessary things I should learn

GPT: Certainly! If you’re looking to build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for an e-wallet using Next.js for the frontend and NestJS for the server, I can provide you with a slimmed-down curriculum that focuses on the essential topics. Keep in mind that this curriculum assumes no prior programming experience. It’s important to approach each step with dedication and practice.

Here’s a suggested curriculum to help you build the MVP:

Stage 1: Introduction to Web Development

  1. Introduction to HTML and CSS (basic structure, styling)
  2. Introduction to JavaScript (variables, functions, conditional statements)

Stage 2: Frontend Development with Next.js

  1. Introduction to Next.js and React
  2. Setting up a Next.js project and understanding project structure
  3. Creating and styling basic components
  4. Routing and navigation in Next.js
  5. Handling forms and user input

Stage 3: Backend Development with NestJS

  1. Introduction to NestJS and TypeScript
  2. Setting up a NestJS project and understanding project structure
  3. Creating routes and controllers
  4. Handling HTTP requests and responses

Stage 4: Database Integration

  1. Introduction to databases and SQL
  2. Setting up a PostgreSQL database
  3. Connecting NestJS to the PostgreSQL database
  4. Creating database tables for users, deposits, and transactions

Stage 5: User Authentication

  1. Implementing user registration and login functionality
  2. Managing user sessions and authentication tokens

Stage 6: E-wallet Functionality

  1. Designing data models for the e-wallet
  2. Implementing deposit functionality (updating user balance)
  3. Implementing payment functionality (deducting balance and recording transactions)
  4. Displaying transaction history

Stage 7: Testing and Deployment

  1. Writing basic tests for frontend and backend components
  2. Deploying the frontend and backend to hosting platforms (e.g., Vercel, Heroku)

Remember, this curriculum focuses on the essential topics for building an MVP of an e-wallet application. It provides a general roadmap, and you may need to dive deeper into specific concepts based on your project requirements and personal learning pace. Additionally, it’s crucial to practice coding, experiment with the concepts you learn, and seek additional resources like tutorials, documentation, and online communities to reinforce your learning.

Building an MVP requires focusing on the core features and functionalities, so prioritize your learning accordingly. Good luck with your e-wallet project, and enjoy your programming journey!

GPT: Certainly! If you’re looking to build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for an e-wallet using Next.js for the frontend and NestJS for the server, I can provide you with a slimmed-down curriculum that focuses on the essential topics. Keep in mind that this curriculum assumes no prior programming experience. It’s important to approach each step with dedication and practice.

Here’s a suggested curriculum to help you build the MVP:

Stage 1: Introduction to Web Development

  1. Introduction to HTML and CSS (basic structure, styling)
  2. Introduction to JavaScript (variables, functions, conditional statements)

Stage 2: Frontend Development with Next.js

  1. Introduction to Next.js and React
  2. Setting up a Next.js project and understanding project structure
  3. Creating and styling basic components
  4. Routing and navigation in Next.js
  5. Handling forms and user input

Stage 3: Backend Development with NestJS

  1. Introduction to NestJS and TypeScript
  2. Setting up a NestJS project and understanding project structure
  3. Creating routes and controllers
  4. Handling HTTP requests and responses

Stage 4: Database Integration

  1. Introduction to databases and SQL
  2. Setting up a PostgreSQL database
  3. Connecting NestJS to the PostgreSQL database
  4. Creating database tables for users, deposits, and transactions

Stage 5: User Authentication

  1. Implementing user registration and login functionality
  2. Managing user sessions and authentication tokens

Stage 6: E-wallet Functionality

  1. Designing data models for the e-wallet
  2. Implementing deposit functionality (updating user balance)
  3. Implementing payment functionality (deducting balance and recording transactions)
  4. Displaying transaction history

Stage 7: Testing and Deployment

  1. Writing basic tests for frontend and backend components
  2. Deploying the frontend and backend to hosting platforms (e.g., Vercel, Heroku)

Remember, this curriculum focuses on the essential topics for building an MVP of an e-wallet application. It provides a general roadmap, and you may need to dive deeper into specific concepts based on your project requirements and personal learning pace. Additionally, it’s crucial to practice coding, experiment with the concepts you learn, and seek additional resources like tutorials, documentation, and online communities to reinforce your learning.

Building an MVP requires focusing on the core features and functionalities, so prioritize your learning accordingly. Good luck with your e-wallet project, and enjoy your programming journey!

Me: How should I get started with Stage 1?

GPT: To get started with Stage 1, which is the introduction to web development, you’ll begin by learning the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

  1. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language):

    • HTML is the standard markup language used for creating the structure and content of web pages.
    • Start by understanding the basic HTML tags, such as <html>, <head>, <body>, <h1> to <h6>, <p>, <div>, <span>, etc.
    • Learn about HTML attributes, such as id, class, src, href, and how to use them to add additional information to elements.
    • Practice creating simple web pages using HTML tags and attributes.
  2. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets):

    • CSS is used for styling and formatting web pages, including layout, colors, fonts, and more.
    • Learn about CSS selectors, which allow you to target specific HTML elements for styling.
    • Understand CSS properties and values, such as color, background-color, font-family, margin, padding, and how to use them to style elements.
    • Practice applying CSS styles to HTML elements and creating visually appealing web pages.
  3. JavaScript:

    • JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactivity and dynamic functionality to web pages.
    • Start with basic JavaScript concepts like variables, data types, operators, conditional statements (if/else), and loops (for/while).
    • Learn about JavaScript functions and how to define and call them.
    • Practice writing simple JavaScript programs to manipulate HTML elements, handle user interactions, and perform basic calculations.

To learn these topics, there are several resources you can utilize:

  • Online tutorials and courses: Websites like freeCodeCamp, Codecademy, and MDN Web Docs offer free tutorials and courses on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Books: Look for beginner-friendly books on web development that cover HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals.
  • Video tutorials: YouTube channels like Traversy Media and The Net Ninja provide comprehensive video tutorials on web development topics.
  • Interactive coding platforms: Platforms like CodePen and JSFiddle allow you to write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code and see the results immediately.

Remember to practice what you learn by building small web pages and experimenting with different HTML, CSS, and JavaScript features. As you gain more familiarity with these technologies, you’ll be ready to move on to Stage 2: Frontend Development with Next.js.

Enjoy your journey into web development!

Me: Can you help create the layout for the MVP and explain step by step?

GPT: Certainly! I can help you create a basic layout for your MVP using HTML and CSS. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating the layout:

Step 1: HTML Structure Start by setting up the basic structure of your web page using HTML. Open a new HTML file and add the following code:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>E-Wallet MVP</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
  <header>
    <h1>Welcome to the E-Wallet MVP</h1>
  </header>
  <main>
    <!-- Content goes here -->
  </main>
  <footer>
    <p>© 2023 E-Wallet MVP. All rights reserved.</p>
  </footer>
</body>
</html>

This code sets up the basic structure of your web page, including a <header>, <main>, and <footer> section. It also links an external CSS file called “styles.css”.

Step 2: CSS Styling Create a new file named “styles.css” and link it to your HTML file as shown in the previous step. Add the following CSS code to style the layout:

/* Set basic styling for the page */
body {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
}

/* Style the header */
header {
  background-color: #333;
  color: #fff;
  padding: 20px;
}

header h1 {
  margin: 0;
}

/* Style the main content */
main {
  padding: 20px;
}

/* Style the footer */
footer {
  background-color: #333;
  color: #fff;
  padding: 10px;
  text-align: center;
}

This CSS code applies basic styles to the header, main content area, and footer of your web page.

Step 3: Adding Content Inside the <main> section of your HTML, you can add content to your MVP. Here’s an example of how you can structure the content:

<main>
  <section>
    <h2>User Dashboard</h2>
    <!-- Add user-related content here -->
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Deposit</h2>
    <!-- Add deposit form and related content here -->
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Payment</h2>
    <!-- Add payment form and related content here -->
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Transaction History</h2>
    <!-- Add transaction history content here -->
  </section>
</main>

In each <section>, you can add specific content related to user dashboard, deposit, payment, and transaction history sections.

Step 4: Customize and Extend You can further customize the layout by modifying the HTML structure, adding additional CSS styles, and integrating your frontend with the backend as you progress through the project. This basic layout provides a starting point for your MVP.

Remember to regularly test your layout in a web browser to see how it looks and adjust the styles as needed.

As you continue building your MVP, you can enhance the layout, add interactivity with JavaScript, and connect the frontend to your NestJS backend.

I hope this helps you get started with creating the layout for your MVP! Let me know if you have any further questions.

Me: Where should I put it and how to run?

GPT: To run your HTML file and view the layout you’ve created, follow these steps:

  1. Save your HTML file with the .html extension. For example, you can save it as index.html.

  2. Create a new folder on your computer where you’ll keep your project files.

  3. Move your index.html file into the project folder.

  4. If you created a separate CSS file (styles.css), make sure to move it into the same project folder.

  5. Open the project folder and locate your index.html file.

  6. Double-click on the index.html file. This will open the file in your default web browser.

  7. Your HTML file will now render in the browser, and you’ll be able to see the layout you created.

Note: Make sure that both your HTML file and CSS file are in the same folder to ensure proper linking between them.

Alternatively, if you want to test your HTML file in a live server environment, you can use a development server. Here’s how you can set up a simple development server using Node.js:

  1. Install Node.js: If you haven’t already, download and install Node.js from the official website (https://nodejs.org).

  2. Open a text editor and create a new file named server.js in your project folder.

  3. In server.js, add the following code:

const http = require('http');
const fs = require('fs');
const path = require('path');

const port = 3000;

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  const filePath = path.join(__dirname, req.url === '/' ? 'index.html' : req.url);
  const extname = path.extname(filePath);
  const contentType = getContentType(extname);

  fs.readFile(filePath, 'utf8', (err, content) => {
    if (err) {
      res.writeHead(404);
      res.end(`File not found: ${req.url}`);
    } else {
      res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': contentType });
      res.end(content);
    }
  });
});

server.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${port}`);
});

function getContentType(extname) {
  switch (extname) {
    case '.html':
      return 'text/html';
    case '.css':
      return 'text/css';
    case '.js':
      return 'text/javascript';
    default:
      return 'text/plain';
  }
}
  1. Save the server.js file.

  2. Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to your project folder using the cd command.

  3. Install the http and fs packages by running the following command in your terminal:

npm install http fs
  1. Run the server by executing the following command in your terminal:
node server.js
  1. The server is now running on http://localhost:3000.

  2. Open your web browser and visit http://localhost:3000 to view your HTML file with the applied CSS styles.

By using a development server, you can make changes to your HTML or CSS files and see the updates automatically when you refresh the browser.

I hope this helps you run and view your HTML file. Let me know if you have any further questions!

Me: Move to stage 2 please

GPT: Certainly! Let’s move on to Stage 2: Frontend Development with Next.js. In this stage, you’ll learn how to set up a Next.js project, understand the project structure, create and style components, and handle routing and user input. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Setting up a Next.js project:

  1. Install Node.js: If you haven’t already, download and install Node.js from the official website (https://nodejs.org).
  2. Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to create your project.
  3. Run the following command to create a new Next.js project:
npx create-next-app my-e-wallet
  1. Once the command finishes, navigate into the newly created project folder:
cd my-e-wallet
  1. Start the development server:
npm run dev
  1. Open your web browser and visit http://localhost:3000 to see the default Next.js starter page.

Step 2: Understanding the project structure: Next.js follows a specific project structure that helps organize your code. Familiarize yourself with the following important directories and files:

  • pages: This directory contains your application’s pages. Each file in this directory represents a route in your application.
  • components: You can create a directory called components to store reusable components that you’ll use across different pages.
  • styles: Next.js uses CSS modules by default. You can create a styles directory to store your CSS files.
  • public: This directory is used to store static files like images, fonts, and other assets.

Step 3: Creating and styling basic components:

  1. Inside the components directory, create a new file called Header.js.
  2. In Header.js, define a basic functional component that represents the header of your web page:
import React from 'react';

const Header = () => {
  return (
    <header>
      <h1>Welcome to the E-Wallet MVP</h1>
    </header>
  );
};

export default Header;
  1. Save the file and navigate to the pages directory.
  2. Open the index.js file and replace its content with the following code:
import React from 'react';
import Header from '../components/Header';

const Home = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <Header />
      <main>
        <h2>User Dashboard</h2>
        {/* Add user-related content here */}
      </main>
      <footer>
        <p>© 2023 E-Wallet MVP. All rights reserved.</p>
      </footer>
    </div>
  );
};

export default Home;
  1. Save the file and return to the terminal or command prompt where the development server is running. You should see the changes reflected in the browser. The Welcome to the E-Wallet MVP header should appear on the page.

Step 4: Routing and navigation in Next.js:

  1. Create a new file called Deposit.js in the pages directory.
  2. In Deposit.js, define a functional component that represents the deposit page:
import React from 'react';
import Header from '../components/Header';

const Deposit = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <Header />
      <main>
        <h2>Deposit</h2>
        {/* Add deposit form and related content here */}
      </main>
      <footer>
        <p>© 2023 E-Wallet MVP. All rights reserved.</p>
      </
Apologies for the cutoff. Here's the continuation of Step 4:

3. In the `pages` directory, open the `index.js` file.
4. Import the `Link` component from the Next.js library:

```javascript
import Link from 'next/link';
  1. Inside the Home component, add a link to the deposit page:
<Link href="/deposit">
  <a>Go to Deposit</a>
</Link>
  1. Save the file and go to the browser. You should see a link on the home page that says “Go to Deposit”. Clicking on it will navigate you to the deposit page.

Step 5: Handling user input:

  1. In the Deposit.js file, add a form to handle user input for the deposit:
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import Header from '../components/Header';

const Deposit = () => {
  const [amount, setAmount] = useState('');

  const handleAmountChange = (e) => {
    setAmount(e.target.value);
  };

  const handleSubmit = (e) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    // Perform actions with the deposit amount
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <Header />
      <main>
        <h2>Deposit</h2>
        <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
          <label>
            Amount:
            <input
              type="number"
              value={amount}
              onChange={handleAmountChange}
            />
          </label>
          <button type="submit">Deposit</button>
        </form>
      </main>
      <footer>
        <p>© 2023 E-Wallet MVP. All rights reserved.</p>
      </footer>
    </div>
  );
};

export default Deposit;
  1. Save the file and go to the browser. On the deposit page, you’ll find an input field to enter the deposit amount and a “Deposit” button. You can enter an amount and submit the form.

This is just a basic starting point for handling user input. You can expand on this functionality and add validation, error handling, and integration with the backend as you progress in your project.

Remember to continue exploring Next.js documentation and resources to learn more about its features and capabilities.

I hope this helps you get started with frontend development using Next.js! Let me know if you have any further questions.

Me: Can you suggest some questions I should as (taking that I am a complete beginner) after this step?

GPT: Certainly! Here are some questions you can ask as a beginner after completing Stage 2:

  1. How does Next.js handle routing between pages?
  2. Can I create nested components in Next.js?
  3. How can I style my components using CSS in Next.js?
  4. How can I pass data between components in Next.js?
  5. What is the purpose of the useState hook, and how does it work?
  6. How can I handle form submissions and user input in Next.js?
  7. Are there any best practices for organizing my Next.js project structure?
  8. How can I deploy my Next.js application to a hosting platform or server?
  9. Are there any recommended libraries or packages that can enhance my Next.js development experience?
  10. How can I optimize my Next.js application for performance?

These questions will help you delve deeper into the concepts and features of Next.js and expand your understanding as you continue building your e-wallet project.

Remember, as a beginner, it’s important to ask questions, seek answers, and explore further resources such as documentation, tutorials, and online forums to enhance your learning journey.

If you have any specific questions related to the topics covered so far, feel free to ask, and I’ll be happy to assist you!

Me: Answer those questions like I am five

GPT: 1. How does Next.js handle routing between pages? Next.js knows which page to show based on the URL you visit. It automatically creates routes for each file in the pages folder. So, if you have a file called about.js in the pages folder, Next.js will know to show that page when you visit the “/about” URL.

  1. Can I create nested components in Next.js? Yes, you can create components inside other components in Next.js. It’s like playing with dolls! You can have a big component that contains smaller components, and those smaller components can contain even smaller components. It helps you organize and reuse your code.

  2. How can I style my components using CSS in Next.js? You can style your components using CSS in Next.js. You can create a CSS file for each component and add styles to make them look pretty. Next.js also has a special way of writing CSS called CSS modules. It helps you keep your styles separate for each component, like having separate closets for your clothes!

  3. How can I pass data between components in Next.js? You can pass data between components in Next.js by using something called “props.” It’s like giving a present to your friend! You can give your component some information, like a number or a name, and the component can use that information to do something. It’s a way for components to talk to each other.

  4. What is the purpose of the useState hook, and how does it work? The useState hook is like a special tool that helps components remember things. Imagine having a whiteboard where you can write and erase things. The useState hook allows components to remember and update values, like a number or some text. It’s a way for components to keep track of things that can change.

  5. How can I handle form submissions and user input in Next.js? When you want to create a form where users can type something and submit it, Next.js has a way to handle that. It’s like sending a message to your friend! Next.js provides special functions that help you listen to what users type and do something with that information when they submit the form.

  6. Are there any best practices for organizing my Next.js project structure? Yes, it’s important to keep your project organized. It’s like keeping your toys in the right places! Next.js recommends organizing your files in a specific way, like keeping your pages in the pages folder and your reusable components in the components folder. This makes it easier for you and others to understand and maintain your project.

  7. How can I deploy my Next.js application to a hosting platform or server? Deploying means putting your finished project on the internet for others to see. Next.js has ways to do that! It’s like showing your artwork to the world. There are hosting platforms or servers where you can upload your project, and Next.js provides instructions on how to do it step by step.

  8. Are there any recommended libraries or packages that can enhance my Next.js development experience? Yes, there are many helpful tools and libraries that can make your Next.js journey even more exciting! It’s like having extra toys to play with. Some popular ones are axios for making API requests, formik for easier form handling, and react-icons for adding cool icons to your project. You can explore and try out different libraries to see what works best for you.

  9. How can I optimize my Next.js application for performance? Next.js has built-in features that help make your application load faster and perform better. It’s like making your car go really fast! Next.js can automatically optimize your images, code-split your JavaScript

Me: Move to stage 3

GPT: Certainly! Let’s move on to Stage 3: Backend Development with NestJS. In this stage, you’ll learn how to set up a NestJS project, define API routes, handle requests, and interact with a PostgreSQL database. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Setting up a NestJS project:

  1. Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to create your project.
  2. Run the following command to create a new NestJS project:
npx @nestjs/cli new my-e-wallet-backend
  1. Once the command finishes, navigate into the newly created project folder:
cd my-e-wallet-backend

Step 2: Creating API routes:

  1. In NestJS, API routes are organized into controllers. Create a new controller by running the following command:
nest generate controller deposit
  1. This will create a deposit.controller.ts file inside the src directory. Open the file and define the deposit controller:
import { Controller, Post, Body } from '@nestjs/common';

@Controller('deposit')
export class DepositController {
  @Post()
  createDeposit(@Body() depositData: any) {
    // Handle deposit creation logic
  }
}
  1. Save the file.

Step 3: Connecting to a PostgreSQL database:

  1. Install the necessary packages for working with PostgreSQL:
npm install --save @nestjs/typeorm typeorm pg
  1. Open the app.module.ts file in the src directory and import the required modules:
import { Module } from '@nestjs/common';
import { TypeOrmModule } from '@nestjs/typeorm';

@Module({
  imports: [
    TypeOrmModule.forRoot({
      type: 'postgres',
      host: 'localhost',
      port: 5432,
      username: 'your_username',
      password: 'your_password',
      database: 'your_database',
      autoLoadEntities: true,
      synchronize: true,
    }),
  ],
})
export class AppModule {}
  1. Replace 'your_username', 'your_password', and 'your_database' with your PostgreSQL credentials.

Step 4: Defining the Deposit entity and repository:

  1. Create a new file called deposit.entity.ts in the src directory and define the deposit entity:
import { Entity, Column, PrimaryGeneratedColumn } from 'typeorm';

@Entity()
export class Deposit {
  @PrimaryGeneratedColumn()
  id: number;

  @Column()
  amount: number;
}
  1. Create a new file called deposit.repository.ts in the src directory and define the deposit repository:
import { EntityRepository, Repository } from 'typeorm';
import { Deposit } from './deposit.entity';

@EntityRepository(Deposit)
export class DepositRepository extends Repository<Deposit> {}

Step 5: Connecting the DepositController to the DepositRepository:

  1. Open the deposit.controller.ts file and import the required modules:
import { Controller, Post, Body } from '@nestjs/common';
import { Deposit } from './deposit.entity';
import { DepositRepository } from './deposit.repository';

@Controller('deposit')
export class DepositController {
  constructor(private depositRepository: DepositRepository) {}

  @Post()
  async createDeposit(@Body() depositData: any) {
    const deposit = this.depositRepository.create(depositData);
    await this.depositRepository.save(deposit);
    return deposit;
  }
}
  1. Save the file.

Step 6: Testing the API:

  1. Start the NestJS development server:
npm

 run start:dev
  1. Open a tool like Postman or use cURL to send a POST request to http://localhost:3000/deposit with a JSON payload containing the deposit amount:
{
  "amount": 100
}
  1. You should receive a response with the saved deposit information.

Congratulations! You have completed Stage 3, which involves setting up a NestJS backend, creating API routes, connecting to a PostgreSQL database, and handling deposit creation requests.

Let me know if you have any questions or if there’s anything else I can assist you with.