Codespaces

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Revision as of 19:26, 13 July 2024 by Tchan (talk | contribs) (add outline of Example 3)
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Github Codespaces lets you spawn a Dreamcast development environment in your browser in a matter of minutes.

The only things you need are:

  • a browser
  • a github login.

Steps Overview

The main steps to get a Codespace working, are:

  • Login into github
  • Create your code repository, or fork one
  • Add a .devcontainer/devcontainer.json file to that repository
  • Create & launch your codespace, and enjoy the IDE in your browser !

That's all there is to it.

Free github accounts get 120 free core hours per month.

Example 1: Build an .elf from a KallistiOS example

To compile the executable .elf file from a KallistiOS examples in a Codespace:

  • Login into github
  • Got to the KallistiOS repository
  • Click on the "Fork" button, this will create a KallistiOS repository inside your account
  • Click on the "Add File" button, then "Create New File"
  • Name the file: ".devcontainer/devcontainer.json", and paste the following contents:
// For format details, see https://aka.ms/devcontainer.json. 
// For config options, see the README at: https://github.com/devcontainers/templates/tree/main/src/alpine
{
	"name": "My_Codespace",
		
	// Either use a pre-built image (= a Docker container)...
	"image": "ghcr.io/kos-builds/kos-ports-dc:sha-656a397-14.1.0",
	// ... or use a Dockerfile or Docker Compose file. More info: https://containers.dev/guide/dockerfile
	//"build": { // Path is relative to the devcontainer.json file.
	//    "dockerfile": "Dockerfile"
	//},
		
	// Features to add to the dev container. More info: https://containers.dev/features.
	// "features": {},

	// Use 'forwardPorts' to make a list of ports inside the container available locally.
	// "forwardPorts": [],

	// Use 'postCreateCommand' to run commands after the container is created.
	//"postCreateCommand": "source /opt/toolchains/dc/kos/environ.sh",

	// Configure tool-specific properties.
	"customizations": {
	    "vscode": {
	        "extensions": [
		    "ms-vscode.cpptools"
	        ]
	    }
	}

	// Uncomment to connect as root instead. More info: https://aka.ms/dev-containers-non-root.
	// "remoteUser": "root"
}
  • Click on "Commit changes", then "Commit Changes" again to save the file
  • Go back to the root directory of your repository
  • Launch your Codespace by clicking on the "<> Code" button, then "Codespaces" - "Create codespace on master".
  • This will launch Visual Studio Code in your browser. The first time it will take a couple of minutes to launch, after that it will be faster.
  • 3-bars-Menu at the top left - Terminal - New Terminal
  • cd examples/dreamcast/2ndmix
  • make clean
  • make
  • You should now have a "2ndmix.elf" in that folder
  • Navigate to that folder (examples/dreamcast/2ndmix) on the file tree on the left, right-click on the file, and choose "Download..."
  • Congratulations ! You successfully built an executable file for the Dreamcast. You can now upload that file in your favorite emulator, or send it to a real Dreamcast via a Coder's Cable or a Broadband Adapter

Example 2: create a .cdi from the .elf of Example 1

Having an .elf executable file is nice for small tests, but often you'll find yourself needing to build a .cdi disc image file:

  • TODO: reopen codespace if needed
  • TODO: download mkdcdisc & build it
  • TODO: build .cdi file

Example 3: Configuring a more complex Codespace

If you find yourself always adding extra application into the base codespace provided in Example 1 (eg: always having to add mkdcdisc, ...), you can simplify your setup by specifying your own Dockerfile, and add setup commands in there:

  • TODO: devcontainer.json

<syntaxhighlight lang="json"> <syntaxhighlight>

  • TODO: Dockerfile

<syntaxhighlight lang="json"> <syntaxhighlight>

Tips

  • When you're finished with your Codespace, go to
    • the 3-bars-Menu at the top left - "My Codespaces"
    • on the left, select the codespace you were just running
    • click on the 3 dots next to "Active"
    • select "Stop codespace"

Doing this pro-actively will save you some free minutes, since the default timeout is 30 minutes.