Build & Deploy dart_frog CRUD API on Heroku

Introduction:

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a Dart backend project using dart_frog and deploying it on Heroku. Dart_frog is a fast and minimalistic backend framework for Dart that makes it easy to build powerful APIs. Whether you're new to Dart or an experienced developer, this tutorial will help you get started with dart_frog and Heroku.

Prerequisites: Before we begin, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

1. • Dart 2 SDK
   • Git
   • Heroku account
   • Heroku CLI

Setting Up Your Project: To get started with your Dart backend project, follow these steps:

1. 
   

2. Clone an Existing Project (Optional): If you already have a Dart project or want to use an existing one, navigate to your project directory in the terminal.

$ cd your-existing-project

1. Alternatively, you can clone a sample CRUD API project for the category table from a repository.

2. 
   

3. Generate a New Project (Optional): If you prefer to start from scratch, you can generate a new project using dart_frog. First, activate dart_frog_cli:

   shell
   $ dart pub global activate dart_frog_cli
   

   Then, create a new project:

   shell
   $ dart_frog create demo-project
   

   Change into the project directory:

   shellCopy code
   $ cd demo-project
   

   Start the development server:

   shell
   $ dart_frog dev
   

   Visit http://localhost:8080 in your browser to see your project in action.

Getting Started with Heroku: Now that you have your Dart backend project set up, let's deploy it on Heroku:

1. Log in to Heroku: Use the Heroku CLI to log in to your Heroku account:

   shellCopy code
   $ heroku login
   

2. Create a New Heroku App: Run the following command to create a new Heroku app:

   shell
   $ heroku create dart-frog-demo
   

3. Commit and Deploy Your Code: Now, you need to commit your code to a Git repository and deploy it on Heroku. Follow these steps:

   shell
   $ git init
   $ heroku git:remote -a dart-frog-demo
   $ git add .
   $ git commit -am "initial commit"
   

4. Configure the Buildpack: Dart is not officially supported by Heroku, so you'll need to specify a custom buildpack. In this example, we're using a custom buildpack:

   shell
   $ heroku buildpacks:set https://github.com/Dharti1623/Build-Pack_for_Dart_project.git
   

   Additionally, set the required configurations for the buildpack:

   shell
   $ heroku config:set DART_SDK_URL=https://storage.googleapis.com/dart-archive/channels/stable/release/2.18.2/sdk/dartsdk-linux-x64-release.zip
   $ heroku config:set PATH=/app/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin
   $ heroku config:set DART_BUILD_CMD="/app/dart-sdk/bin/pub global activate webdev && /app/dart-sdk/bin/pub global run webdev build"
   

   These configurations ensure that the buildpack pulls the correct Dart SDK and uses the webdev tool to build your project.

5. 
   

6. Deploy Your Project: Create a Procfile in your project root with the following instructions to start your server:

   bash
   web: ./dart-sdk/bin/dart .dart_frog/server.dart
   

   Commit this change:

   shell
   $ git add .
   $ git commit -am "Procfile added"
   

   Finally, push your code to Heroku:

   shell
   $ git push heroku master
   

   In the confirmation message, you should see the web URL where your deployed Dart backend project is accessible.

Conclusion: Congratulations! You've successfully created a Dart backend project using dart_frog and deployed it on Heroku. You can now start building and scaling your Dart-powered API with ease. If you need more information or references, you can visit the following links:

• Dart_frog Documentation
• Database for Dart_frog
• Deploying Dart Shelf Backend on Heroku

Happy coding!