Creating your first Vue.js application can be an exciting journey into the world of modern web development. Vue.js, a progressive JavaScript framework, has gained immense popularity due to its simplicity and flexibility. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the initial steps to set up your development environment and create a basic Vue.js 3 application. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned developer, this guide will provide a clear roadmap to get started efficiently.

Prerequisites for Getting Started

Before diving into code, you need to ensure that your development environment is ready. Here are the essential components you’ll need:

Required Installations

1. Node.js: Node is necessary because it allows you to run JavaScript on your server. You can download it from nodejs.org. Make sure to install the latest stable version. If you have Node installed, consider updating to the latest version.
2. Text Editor: A suitable text editor is crucial for coding. We recommend Visual Studio Code (VS Code) due to its extensive support and features tailored for JavaScript development.

Setting Up VS Code

After installing VS Code, you will need to enhance it for Vue development:

• Open the Extensions tab and install the Vetur extension. This extension provides essential features such as syntax highlighting, code snippets, linting, and formatting specifically for Vue.js projects.

Choosing Your Development Method

Once your environment is set up, it’s time to add Vue.js to your project. There are four different methods to integrate Vue.js into a project, but for beginners, we’ll focus on the Vue CLI (Command Line Interface), which simplifies the setup process significantly.

Methods to Add Vue.js to Your Project:

1. CDN (Content Delivery Network): This method involves including Vue through a script tag in your HTML. It’s beneficial for quick prototypes or integrating Vue into existing applications.
2. NPM (Node Package Manager): Run the command npm install vue@next to add Vue to your project. This method is preferred for larger applications.
3. Vue CLI: The official command line tool to scaffold Vue applications. With just two commands, you can create an entire Vue project.
4. Vite: A modern build tool that allows rapid development and is based on native ES modules.

For our guide, we’ll use the Vue CLI, as it offers a streamlined experience, especially for beginners.

Setting Up Your First Vue Application

Let’s create your first Vue application step-by-step:

1. Install Vue CLI

First, you need to install the Vue CLI globally on your machine. Open your command prompt as an administrator and run the following command:

npm install -g @vue/cli

This command can also be run using Yarn if you prefer:

yarn global add @vue/cli

After installation, check the version to confirm:

vue --version

2. Create a New Project

Navigate to your preferred working directory and run the command to create a new Vue project:

vue create hello-world

You’ll be prompted to choose a preset configuration. For our basic application, select the option for Default (Vue 3 Preview) with Babel and ESLint.

3. Navigate to Your Project Folder

Once the setup is complete, change into your project directory:

cd hello-world

4. Start the Development Server

Now you’re ready to run your application. Use the following command to start the development server:

yarn serve  
# or  
npm run serve

This command starts up a local development server, typically on localhost:8080. You can open this in your browser to see your new Vue.js application in action.

Congratulations on Your First Application!

With just a few commands, you have successfully created a Vue.js application. The default UI features links to documentation and guides to help you learn more about Vue.js development.

Summary

In this guide, you’ve learned:

• How to set up your development environment with Node.js and VS Code.
• The various methods to integrate Vue.js into your project, with a focus on using the Vue CLI.
• Step-by-step instructions to create a basic Vue.js application.

The next step is to delve deeper into the folder structure of your newly created application and explore how to manage and develop features efficiently. Understanding project structure will be crucial as you continue your journey in Vue.js development.

Now that you’ve set up your first CRUD application with Vue.js, consider diving deeper into Vue’s official documentation or explore next steps in building realistic applications. Happy coding!