🌐 Building a Social Media Feed

Learn Vue.js, APIs, and Modern Web Development

Create an interactive social media feed that connects to a real API

What You'll Learn:

Why JavaScript frameworks make coding easier
What APIs are and how they work
How to install Node.js and create Vue apps
How to fetch data from an API with async/await
Build a working social media feed!

🚀 Why JavaScript Frameworks?

Think of Frameworks Like LEGO Kits!

Without a framework: You get a huge box of individual LEGO bricks. You have to figure everything out yourself!

With a framework: You get a LEGO kit with pre-built sections and instructions. Just snap things together!

🧱

Old Way (Vanilla JS)

Everything by hand

Slow and messy

→

🏗️

New Way (Frameworks)

Pre-built components

Fast and organized

Framework Benefits:

Save time: Don't reinvent the wheel
Stay organized: Everything has its place
Easy updates: Change one part, everything updates automatically
Big community: Millions of developers to help you
Best practices: Learn the right way from the start

🟢 Why Vue.js is Our Choice

Framework	Who Makes It	Learning Curve	For Russian Users
React.js	Facebook/Meta (USA)	Medium	⚠️ Risk of sanctions/blocking
Angular	Google (USA)	Steep	⚠️ Risk of sanctions/blocking
Vue.js 🎯	Open Source Community 🌍	Gentle	✅ Safe & Independent

Vue.js Advantages:

Open source: Belongs to everyone, not one company
Gentle learning curve: Easy for beginners
Great documentation: Like having a helpful teacher
Single-file components: HTML + CSS + JavaScript together
Reactive: Automatic updates (magic!)

Choosing Vue is Like Choosing:

React/Angular: Renting a house - the owner (Meta/Google) can change rules or kick you out

Vue.js: Owning a house - it's yours forever, no one can take it away!

🤝 What is an API?

API = Restaurant Waiter

Think of an API like a waiter in a restaurant:

You (Browser): "I'd like posts from user 1" (places order)
API (Waiter): Takes your order to the kitchen
Database (Kitchen): Prepares the data
API (Waiter): Brings the data back to you

🌐

Your Vue App

"Give me posts!"

→

🤝

API

Messenger

→

💾

Database

Data storage

Our API: api.techshare.cc

We have a real API that serves data! Try these in your browser:

# See all posts: https://api.techshare.cc/api/posts # See all users: https://api.techshare.cc/api/users # See comments: https://api.techshare.cc/api/comments

Copy and paste these URLs in your browser to see the data!

📦 Step 1: Install Node.js

1

What is Node.js?

Think of Node.js as the engine that runs JavaScript on your computer!

Usually JavaScript only runs in browsers. Node.js lets it run on YOUR computer too!

2

Download and Install

Go to nodejs.org
Download the LTS version (Long Term Support = stable)
Run the installer
Click "Next" through everything

3

Check if it Works

Open PowerShell (Windows) or Terminal (Mac):

# Check Node.js version node --version # Should show: v20.x.x or v22.x.x # Check npm version npm --version # Should show: 10.x.x or higher

4

Windows Users - Fix Execution Policy

If PowerShell says "not allowed":

# Open PowerShell as Administrator # Type this: Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Type Y and press Enter when asked!

⚡ Step 2: Create Vue App with Vite

1

Open Terminal/PowerShell

Navigate to where you want your project:

cd Documents # or wherever you want your project

2

Create Vue App

Type this command (with double dash --):

# Create Vue app with Vite npm create vite@latest my-vue-app -- --template vue

Note: -- --template vue means two dashes, space, two dashes

3

Answer Prompts

You'll see questions - just press Enter for all:

✔ Project name: … my-vue-app ✔ Package name: … my-vue-app ✔ Add TypeScript? … No ✔ Add JSX Support? … No ✔ Add Vue Router? … No (or Yes if you want pages) ✔ Add Pinia? … No (or Yes for state management) ✔ Add Vitest? … No ✔ Add ESLint? … No (or Yes for code quality)

4

Navigate to your app

cd my-vue-app

🚀 Step 3: Install and Run

1

Install Dependencies

These are like "batteries" for your app:

npm install

Wait 1-2 minutes while it downloads everything

2

Start Development Server

npm run dev

You'll see:

VITE v5.x.x ready in xxx ms ➜ Local: http://localhost:5173/ ➜ Network: use --host to expose

3

Open in Browser

Copy and paste this in your browser:

http://localhost:5173

4

Explore the Default App

Click the count button - see it update!
Notice the Vue and Vite logos
This is your starting point

🗂️ Step 4: Understand Project Structure

Your project folder looks like this:

my-vue-app/               # Your project house
├── node_modules/         # Toolbox (don't touch!)
├── public/               # Front yard
│   └── vite.svg         # Vite logo
├── src/                  # Main house
│   ├── assets/           # Pictures & decorations
│   │   └── vue.svg      # Vue logo
│   ├── components/       # Furniture
│   │   └── HelloWorld.vue # Example furniture
│   ├── App.vue          # Living room (main area)
│   └── main.js          # Front door (starts app)
├── index.html           # Land plot
├── package.json         # Shopping list
└── vite.config.js      # House blueprints
                

Important Files:

src/App.vue: Main component - we'll replace this
src/main.js: Starts the Vue app
index.html: Main HTML file
package.json: Lists all tools we use

Stop and Restart Server:

In your terminal where npm run dev is running:

# Press Ctrl + C to stop # Then restart: npm run dev

🎨 Step 5: Create Social Media Feed

1

Open App.vue

Navigate to: my-vue-app/src/App.vue

Open it in your code editor (VS Code, Notepad++, etc.)

2

Delete Everything

Select all code in App.vue and delete it

3

Paste Our Social Feed Code

Copy and paste this complete code:

<template>
  <div class="social-feed">
    <!-- Header -->
    <header class="header">
      <h1>📱 Social Media Feed</h1>
      <p class="subtitle">Simple feed using Async/Await</p>
    </header>

    <!-- Main Feed -->
    <main class="feed">
      <!-- Stats -->
      <div class="stats">
        <p>Total posts: {{ posts.length }}</p>
        <button @click="loadPosts" :disabled="loading" class="refresh-btn">
          {{ loading ? '🔄 Loading...' : '🔄 Refresh' }}
        </button>
      </div>

      <!-- Loading -->
      <div v-if="loading" class="loading">
        <div class="spinner"></div>
        <p>Loading posts...</p>
      </div>

      <!-- Error -->
      <div v-else-if="error" class="error">
        <p>❌ Error: {{ error }}</p>
        <button @click="loadPosts" class="retry-btn">Try Again</button>
      </div>

      <!-- Posts -->
      <div v-else class="posts">
        <div v-if="posts.length === 0" class="empty">
          <p>No posts available.</p>
        </div>

        <div v-else class="posts-list">
          <div 
            v-for="post in posts" 
            :key="post._id || post.id" 
            class="post"
          >
            <!-- User info -->
            <div class="user-info">
              <div class="avatar">U{{ post.userId }}</div>
              <div>
                <h3>User {{ post.userId }}</h3>
                <small>Post ID: {{ (post._id || post.id).substring(0, 10) }}...</small>
              </div>
            </div>

            <!-- Post content -->
            <div class="post-content">
              <h4>{{ post.title }}</h4>
              <p>{{ post.body || post.content }}</p>
            </div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </main>

    <!-- Footer -->
    <footer class="footer">
      <p>API: https://api.techshare.cc/api/posts</p>
    </footer>
  </div>
</template>

<script setup>
import { ref, onMounted } from 'vue'

// State
const posts = ref([])
const loading = ref(false)
const error = ref(null)

// Load posts function
async function loadPosts() {
  loading.value = true
  error.value = null

  try {
    console.log('Fetching posts...')
    const response = await fetch('https://api.techshare.cc/api/posts')
    
    if (!response.ok) {
      throw new Error(`Failed to fetch: ${response.status}`)
    }
    
    posts.value = await response.json()
    console.log(`Loaded ${posts.value.length} posts`)

  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Error:', err)
    error.value = err.message || 'Something went wrong'
  } finally {
    loading.value = false
  }
}

// Load on page load
onMounted(() => {
  loadPosts()
})
</script>

<style scoped>
* {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.social-feed {
  min-height: 100vh;
  background: #f5f7fa;
  font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
}

/* Header */
.header {
  background: white;
  padding: 2rem;
  text-align: center;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea;
}

.header h1 {
  color: #333;
  font-size: 2rem;
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}

.subtitle {
  color: #666;
  font-size: 1rem;
}

/* Feed */
.feed {
  max-width: 800px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 2rem;
}

/* Stats */
.stats {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
  padding: 1rem;
  background: white;
  border-radius: 8px;
  box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}

.stats p {
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #333;
}

.refresh-btn {
  padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
  background: #4361ee;
  color: white;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 4px;
  cursor: pointer;
  font-weight: 500;
}

.refresh-btn:disabled {
  opacity: 0.5;
  cursor: not-allowed;
}

/* Loading */
.loading {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 3rem;
}

.spinner {
  width: 40px;
  height: 40px;
  border: 3px solid #ddd;
  border-top: 3px solid #4361ee;
  border-radius: 50%;
  margin: 0 auto 1rem;
  animation: spin 1s linear infinite;
}

@keyframes spin {
  0% { transform: rotate(0deg); }
  100% { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}

/* Error */
.error {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 2rem;
  background: #ffebee;
  color: #c62828;
  border-radius: 8px;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.retry-btn {
  margin-top: 1rem;
  padding: 0.5rem 1.5rem;
  background: #c62828;
  color: white;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 4px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

/* Empty */
.empty {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 3rem;
  color: #666;
}

/* Posts list */
.posts-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 1.5rem;
}

/* Single post */
.post {
  background: white;
  border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 1.5rem;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
}

/* User info */
.user-info {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1rem;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
  padding-bottom: 1rem;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #f0f0f0;
}

.avatar {
  width: 50px;
  height: 50px;
  background: #4361ee;
  border-radius: 50%;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  color: white;
  font-weight: bold;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
}

.user-info h3 {
  color: #333;
  margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
}

.user-info small {
  color: #888;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
}

/* Post content */
.post-content h4 {
  color: #333;
  margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  line-height: 1.4;
}

.post-content p {
  color: #555;
  line-height: 1.6;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
}

/* Footer */
.footer {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 2rem;
  color: #666;
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  border-top: 1px solid #eaeaea;
  margin-top: 3rem;
}

/* Responsive */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .header {
    padding: 1.5rem;
  }
  
  .header h1 {
    font-size: 1.5rem;
  }
  
  .feed {
    padding: 1rem;
  }
  
  .stats {
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 1rem;
    text-align: center;
  }
  
  .post {
    padding: 1rem;
  }
  
  .user-info {
    gap: 0.75rem;
  }
  
  .avatar {
    width: 40px;
    height: 40px;
    font-size: 1rem;
  }
}
</style>
            

🎉 Step 6: See the Magic Happen!

1

Save App.vue

Save the file (Ctrl + S or Cmd + S)

2

Check Your Browser

Go to http://localhost:5173

You should see:

A beautiful social media feed header
Posts loading from the API
Real data from api.techshare.cc
A refresh button to get new data

What Just Happened? Magic!

🌐

Your Vue App

Said "give me posts"

→

🤝

API

Messenger delivered

→

💾

Database

Gave real data

Async/Await = Super Fast Messenger

async function loadPosts(): "I'll do this job, but I might need to wait"

await fetch(): "Wait here until you get the data"

.then() vs async/await: Phone call vs text message!

🎓 What You've Accomplished:

✅ Learned why frameworks save time
✅ Chose Vue.js (safe open source option)
✅ Installed Node.js and npm
✅ Created a Vue app with Vite
✅ Connected to a real API
✅ Built a working social media feed!