tutorial improvement: don't use python for the http server, use node

[Pomax]

Since the tutorial describes doing things either in the browser or in node, it doesn't make sense to advocate using python -m SimpleHTTPServer. Instead it makes more sense to tell people to run npm install -g http-server and to then use the much simple http-server command to fire up a localhost instance on port 8080 in whatever directory they run it in.

[zpao]

We should make the link in the tutorial more prominent. We already have implementations for node, python, and ruby in the companion repo - https://github.com/reactjs/react-tutorial/

[Pomax]

that's not what I mean. The tutorial tells me to use "python -m SimpleHTTPServer" once we get into ajaxy territory, despite the fact that at that point we've established I have a browser and node, but never mentioned I'm going to need python for anything. Might as well stick with node and tell me to use http-server so I don't need to download and install python (say I'm on windows or a linux/unix that didn't come with python as part of the default distribution) just to run a localhost server in a dir.

Rather than making it more prominent, it makes far more sense to remove the need for python in the tutorial entirely =)

[sophiebits]

On the other hand, getting http-server requires installing another tool over the internet whereas if you have Python 2 installed, SimpleHTTPServer is built-in and just works.

[Pomax]

right, so my point is why assume people have Python installed when you know they already have node installed because you explicitly told them to use npm to get React in the getting started section? Not every OS comes with Python or Nodejs preinstalled, but at least after "getting started", you know they'll have Node.js and npm.

[zpao]

The tutorial doesn't really assume you went through getting started (you don't need npm to do the tutorial, that's why we have a starter kit).

Let's not get too pedantic here. Let's not argue about node vs Python. We know this needs to be better and I think having a place that offers different servers to run in whatever language you want is ultimately the best thing.

[Pomax]

this wasn't an argument, though.

I'm a windows user trying to use React for the first time in my life (I finally gave up on Polymer, it breaks way too much in firefox) so I started at "getting started", and now running through the tutorials. That feels like an extremely logical first time user path.

In that scenario, suddenly being told to use python felt weird, because why would I have python when I already have node, and that's a thing I should let you know. As such: there it is. Do with it as you will, although if arguments are given why not to change that feel like they're based on assumptions about users, I'll be a counterpoint =)

[ChrisAntaki]

A beginner web developer on Windows might get discouraged if they thought they had to install Python in the middle of the tutorial. Mentioning http-server could help. Plus, some newer Node.js developers might be excited to discover the package.

[sophiebits]

#2824 landed, so I'm closing this.

[ChrisAntaki]

👍