Fix webpack config

[JensAstrup]

What's Changed

Tested

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• [ ] Use both analyze and break down AI features
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• [ ] View development time for in progress stories
  • [ ] On page load
  • [ ] On SPA navigation
• [ ] View cycle time on a completed story
  • [ ] On page load
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• [ ] Add notes to a story

[github-actions[bot]]

The updates made to both webpack.config.base.js and webpack.config.js show an effort to refine and streamline the environment variables loading process through dotenv and dotenv-webpack. Here are some observations and feedback on these changes:

webpack.config.base.js

1. Adding Dotenv and Environment Configuration:

   • The addition of dotenv-webpack and the setup to specify environment variable files (envFiles) based on the NODE_ENV is a good practice. This allows for more flexible configuration management across different environments (development, staging, production) without hardcoding paths or values within the codebase. It centralizes environment-specific configurations in external files, making the management of such configurations much easier and more secure.

2. Code Organization:

   • Organizing the import and immediate configuration of environment-related settings at the top of the file improves readability and maintainability. It sets a clear precedent for the order of operations; environment variables are configured before they are possibly used in subsequent configurations.

3. Environment Variables Loading:

   • The use of require('dotenv').config({ path: envFile }) immediately after defining envFile ensures that the environment variables from the specified file are loaded before the rest of the webpack configuration is executed. This explicit loading is crucial for ensuring that any code depending on environment variables can safely assume these variables are already set.

General Suggestions for Improvement:

• Code Duplication: The environment file determination logic is removed from webpack.config.js and placed in webpack.config.base.js. While this centralizes the logic, making it more maintainable, ensure that any webpack configuration file that requires access to the environment variables is correctly utilizing this centralized approach. It's essential to avoid code duplication and maintain consistency across the configuration files.

• Documentation and Comments: Adding comments to explain the choice of environment files or the logic behind certain configurations can be incredibly helpful for future maintenance or for new team members who are not familiar with the project setup.

Positive Feedback:

• Best Practices: Incorporating environment-specific configuration files and utilizing packages like dotenv-webpack are best practices that facilitate scalability and maintainability. This setup allows for easily adding new environments or adjusting existing configurations without major changes to the codebase.

• Refactoring for Clarity: The explicit loading of environment configurations and the organization of code signify an intent to make the webpack configuration more readable and straightforward. This refactoring enhances the overall quality of the code.

Overall, these changes are constructive, align with best practices for web application development, and contribute to a more organized and maintainable codebase.