Setting Up GitHub CodeSpaces for Developer Convenience

[SergeyShorokhov]

Proposal

We propose to configure GitHub CodeSpaces for all repositories within the ReHLDS organization that involve C/C++ development. CodeSpaces offer a cloud-based development environment, allowing developers to quickly set up a fully configured instance of their projects without local setup. This initiative aims to enhance productivity, streamline onboarding, and provide a consistent development experience across the team.

Objectives

1. Streamlined Onboarding: New contributors can easily access a pre-configured development environment, significantly reducing the time required to get started with the project.

2. Consistent Development Environment: CodeSpaces ensure that all developers work in the same environment, minimizing the "it works on my machine" problem and reducing inconsistencies caused by different local setups.

3. Increased Productivity: Developers can quickly access their projects and start coding from anywhere, eliminating the need for complex local configurations.

Implementation Steps

1. Create a .devcontainer Directory:

   • Within each repository, create a .devcontainer directory that will contain configuration files necessary for setting up the CodeSpaces environment.

2. Define devcontainer.json:

   • Create a devcontainer.json file within the .devcontainer directory. This file will specify the development environment, including:
     • Base image (e.g., a Linux distribution with C/C++ tools)
     • Extensions to install (e.g., C/C++ IntelliSense)
     • Any required packages or tools to install (e.g., compilers, build systems)

   Example devcontainer.json:

   {
     "name": "C/C++ Development",
     "image": "ubuntu:20.04",
     "extensions": [
       "ms-vscode.cpptools",
       "ms-vscode.cmake-tools"
     ],
     "settings": {
       "C_Cpp.default.configurationProvider": "ms-vscode.cmake-tools",
       "cmake.configureOnOpen": true
     },
     "postCreateCommand": "apt-get update && apt-get install -y build-essential cmake"
   }