Unlocking the Power of SolidStart: A Comprehensive Guide

SolidStart is a promising new framework that combines the best features of popular frontend frameworks like React and Svelte. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of SolidStart, exploring its features, use cases, and building a simple app to demonstrate its capabilities.

SolidStart Features: A Game-Changer for Frontend Development

SolidStart offers a range of innovative features that set it apart from other frameworks. Some of its key features include:

• File-based routing
• API endpoints
• Support for server-side, client-side, and static rendering
• Unique features like form-triggered server actions and easy RPC function definition

Setting Up Your SolidStart App: A Step-by-Step Guide

To get started with SolidStart, you’ll need to have Node.js installed on your machine. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up your SolidStart app:

1. Install pnpm globally using npm install -g pnpm.
2. Run pnpm create solid to create a new SolidStart project.
3. Choose the bare template and select yes for server-side rendering.
4. Install dependencies using pnpm install.

Understanding the Folder Structure: A Tour of the /src Folder

The /src folder is where your SolidStart code lives. Here’s a breakdown of the key folders and files you’ll find inside:

• /components: Store all non-page components here.
• /routes: Store page components here.
• root/entry-client/entry-server: Store application startup files here (no need to touch these).
• Create a /lib folder for supporting files like API implementation details and support functions.

Defining Business Trips Data: A Simple Example

For this example, we’ll use an array to store data about business trips. Create a file called src/lib/trips.js and add the following code:
“`javascript
const trips = [
{ id: 1, destination: ‘New York’, mileage: 1000 },
{ id: 2, destination: ‘London’, mileage: 2000 },
];

export const getTrips = () => trips;
export const createTrip = (trip) => trips.push(trip);
export const updateTrip = (id, trip) => {
const index = trips.findIndex((t) => t.id === id);
if (index !== -1) trips[index] = trip;
};
export const deleteTrip = (id) => {
const index = trips.findIndex((t) => t.id === id);
if (index !== -1) trips.splice(index, 1);
};
“`
Using API Routes with SolidStart: A Simple Example

Create a file called src/routes/api/trips/(trips).js and add the following code:
“`javascript
import { getTrips, createTrip, updateTrip, deleteTrip } from ‘../lib/trips’;

export const GET = async () => {
return { trips: await getTrips() };
};

export const POST = async (req) => {
const trip = await createTrip(req.body);
return { trip };
};

export const PUT = async (req) => {
const id = req.params.id;
const trip = await updateTrip(id, req.body);
return { trip };
};

export const DELETE = async (req) => {
const id = req.params.id;
await deleteTrip(id);
return { message: ‘Trip deleted’ };
};
“`
Bringinging in the Trips Data to the Route: Using Route Data

Create a file called src/routes/index.jsx and add the following code:
“`javascript
import { createRouteData } from ‘solid-start’;
import { getTrips } from ‘../lib/trips’;

export const routeData = createRouteData(async () => {
const trips = await getTrips();
return { trips };
});
“`
The Trips Component: Putting it All Together

Create a file called src/components/Trips.jsx and add the following code:
“`javascript
import { useRouteData } from ‘solid-start’;
import { createTrip, updateTrip, deleteTrip } from ‘../lib/trips’;

export default function Trips() {
const { trips } = useRouteData();

const handleCreate = async (event) => {
event.preventDefault();
const trip = await createTrip({ destination: ‘New Trip’, mileage: 100 });
trips.push(trip);
};

const handleUpdate = async (event) => {
event.preventDefault();
const id = event.target.id;
const trip = await updateTrip(id, { destination: ‘Updated Trip’, mileage: 200 });
trips.find((t) => t.id === id).destination = trip.destination;
};

const handleDelete = async (event) => {
event.preventDefault();
const id = event.target.id;
await deleteTrip(id);
trips.splice(trips.findIndex((t) => t.id === id), 1);
};

return (

);
}
“`
Displaying the Trips Component: The Final Touches

Update the src/routes/index.jsx file to include the Trips component:
“`javascript
import { Trips } from ‘../components/Trips’;

export default function Home() {
return (

);
}
“`
That’s it! You now have a fully functional SolidStart app that demonstrates its capabilities.