SalsaScript Tutorial (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

This tutorial is a primer on how to get set up using SalsaScript and creating a simple news aggregator. Before you can begin developing in SalsaScript, you will need a developer account for Salsa. If you don't already have one, you can sign up for a developer account here.

Part I - Getting set up

Connecting to the SalsaScript Repository

Files you develop and deploy are stored in a Subversion repository, that you can edit either through a Subversion client, or by directly mounting a drive on your machine, using a protocol known as WebDAV. Both methods are described below.

Using WebDAV

Editing files using WebDAV is as simple as mounting a remote directory, and creating and editing normal files.

For OS X

To mount your directory in OS X:

  • Go to the Finder application, and click the Go menu. Click on Connect to Server.
  • In the box, cut and paste the URL: 
    http://svn.salsacommons.org/salsa/trunk/packages/d/APPLICATIONPREFIX/
  • Where APPLICATIONPREFIX is the 'Application Prefix' that you created when you signed up for a developer account
  • Your username and password are the same as the email and password you used to log in.

For Windows

Some Windows systems natively support the WebDAV protocol. However, in many of them, WebDAV is not completely stable. There are many third-party WebDAV clients available for Windows that may work better. Check Google for more info. Alternatively, use Subversion, described below.

For Linux

Linux users may opt to use the native webdav feature in their operating system. For a more configurable environment, they may also opt for WDFS (WebDav FS) or davFS2. Both of these are file system modules for FUSE and allow for the codebase to be viewed as a mounted drive and manipulated directly from vi, emacs, or the editor of your choice.

Otherwise, use Subversion, as described below.

Using Subversion

Using Subversion gives you more control over versioning of your files, and on slow internet connections may perform better than a WebDAV mount. You should be familiar with Subversion before connecting.

  • The subversion repository for your files is located at: 
    http://svn.salsacommons.org/salsa/trunk/packages/d/APPLICATIONPREFIX/

    Where APPLICATIONPREFIX is the 'Application Prefix' that you created when you signed up for a developer account

    Your login is the same as the Headquarters login you used.

  • Check out a version of your code locally. Change, and edit as needed, and when you want the code to go to the Sandbox, simply commit it, and it will be automatically deployed.

Continue to Page 2 - Creating a Package