InfernoJS Deployment and Usage Guide

Prerequisites

• Runtime Requirements: Inferno v9 requires the following JavaScript features to be present in the executing runtime:

  • Promise
  • String.prototype.includes()
  • String.prototype.startsWith()
  • Array.prototype.includes()
  • Object.spread()
  • for ... of

• Node.js: Required for development and building (version 12 or higher recommended)

• Package Manager: npm or yarn for dependency management

• Browser Support: Inferno is actively tested on modern browsers. For older browser support, consider using polyfills.

Installation

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/infernojs/inferno.git
   cd inferno
   

2. Install Dependencies:

   npm install
   # or
   yarn install
   

3. Install Build Tools (if needed for development):

   npm install -g @swc/cli
   # or for Babel
   npm install -g @babel/cli @babel/core
   

Configuration

Environment Variables

No specific environment variables are required for basic usage. For development, you may need to configure:

• Test Environment: Inferno uses Sauce Labs for browser testing. You may need to set up Sauce Labs credentials if running tests locally.

Build Configuration

Inferno supports multiple JSX compilers:

• SWC Plugin: For SWC-based compilation
• Babel Plugin: For Babel-based compilation
• TS Plugin: For TypeScript compilation

Choose your preferred compiler and configure it in your build setup.

Build & Run

Development

1. Start Development Server:

   npm run dev
   # or
   yarn dev
   

2. Run Tests:

   npm test
   # or
   yarn test
   

Production Build

1. Build for Production:

   npm run build
   # or
   yarn build
   

2. Run Production Server:

   npm start
   # or
   yarn start
   

Examples

The repository includes several example applications:

• UI Bench: Performance benchmarking
• DBMonster: Real-time data visualization
• Animations: Component animation examples

To run examples, navigate to the respective directories and follow their specific instructions.

Deployment

Static Hosting (Recommended)

Inferno applications can be deployed as static files:

1. Build Your Application:

   npm run build
   

2. Deploy to Static Hosting Services:

   • Vercel: vercel --prod
   • Netlify: Drag and drop the dist folder
   • GitHub Pages: Configure GitHub Actions to deploy to gh-pages branch

Server-Side Rendering

For SSR applications:

1. Install Inferno Server:

   npm install inferno-server
   

2. Configure Your Server:

   • Use Node.js with Express or similar frameworks
   • Implement server-side rendering using inferno-server

Platform Recommendations

• Vercel/Netlify: For static Inferno applications
• AWS Amplify: For scalable static hosting
• Heroku/Cloud Run: For server-side rendered applications
• Cloudflare Workers: For edge-side rendering

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Browser Compatibility Issues

   • Problem: Application doesn't work in older browsers
   • Solution: Add polyfills for required runtime features (Promise, String methods, etc.)

2. Build Errors

   • Problem: Build fails with JSX compilation errors
   • Solution: Ensure you have the correct JSX compiler plugin installed (SWC, Babel, or TS plugin)

3. Performance Issues

   • Problem: Application is slow with large DOM trees
   • Solution: Use Inferno's optimization features like linkEvent, proper key usage, and compile-time flags

4. Testing Issues

   • Problem: Tests fail in certain browsers
   • Solution: Check Sauce Labs browser matrix and ensure your tests are compatible with supported browsers

5. Missing Dependencies

   • Problem: Cannot find module errors
   • Solution: Run npm install or yarn install to ensure all dependencies are installed

6. Animation Issues

   • Problem: Animations not working as expected
   • Solution: Verify you're using the correct animation lifecycle methods (componentDidAppear, componentWillDisappear, etc.)

Performance Optimization Tips

• Use linkEvent to avoid unnecessary re-renders
• Implement shouldComponentUpdate for expensive components
• Use Inferno's controlled components for input/select/textarea elements
• Leverage compile-time optimizations with JSX flags

Development Tips

• Use the Inferno DevTools extension for debugging
• Monitor render counts to identify performance bottlenecks
• Test with the UI Bench and DBMonster examples to benchmark performance

For more detailed information, refer to the Inferno documentation and the GitHub repository.