Deployment Challenges and Current Approach:
The current practice of copying and pasting the browser distribution (dist) folder directly into the project for deployment presents several challenges, primarily the loss of access to the master branch during the deployment process. This disruption can hinder development workflow and make it difficult to track changes or revert to previous versions. Additionally, directly manipulating files within the project's Git-tracked structure for deployment can lead to "git folder errors" and conflicts, especially when working in collaborative environments. This method also necessitates renaming index.csr.html to index.html for proper rendering, which can introduce further complications and potential for errors.
Improved Deployment Strategy:
A more robust and efficient approach involves creating a dedicated folder outside the project directory to manage the distribution files. This isolates the deployment process from the project's Git repository, preventing accidental modifications and "git folder errors." The browser distribution files are then copied into this external folder. This separation ensures that the project's Git history remains clean and that the master branch remains accessible for ongoing development and other Git operations. This also eliminates the need to directly rename files within the project, reducing the risk of introducing errors and simplifying the deployment process.
Streamlined Workflow and Best Practices:
By adopting this external folder strategy, the deployment workflow becomes significantly more streamlined and less prone to errors. After copying the browser dist folder to the external deployment location, the necessary file renaming (index.csr.html to index.html) can be performed within this isolated environment. This ensures that the original project files remain untouched and that the renaming process does not interfere with Git operations or introduce reference errors when pushing changes. This approach promotes cleaner project management, reduces the risk of deployment-related issues, and allows developers to maintain uninterrupted access to the master branch for continued development.
