# Chromebooks

We love Chromebooks! This comprehensive guide will help you run and develop BoxLang applications on both Intel-based and ARM-based Chromebooks. We'll install all prerequisites, set up BoxLang, configure VS Code with the BoxLang extension, and create your first application. {% embed url="" %}

## Requirements * **Hardware**: 4GB RAM Chromebook minimum (8GB+ recommended for better performance) * **Operating System**: Chrome OS with Linux development environment enabled * **Java Runtime**: OpenJDK 21 or higher * **Storage**: At least 2GB free space for development tools ### Enabling Linux Development Environment Chromebooks provide excellent development capabilities through their built-in Linux development environment (based on Debian). This allows you to run a full Linux container alongside Chrome OS seamlessly. **To enable Linux development:** 1. Open **Settings** > **Advanced** > **Developers** 2. Turn on **Linux development environment** 3. Follow the setup wizard to configure your container 4. Choose appropriate storage size (4GB minimum, 8GB+ recommended)

{% hint style="info" %} **Pro Tip**: The Linux environment runs in a secure container that's isolated from Chrome OS, providing a safe development space while maintaining system security. {% endhint %} ## 📋 Table of Contents * [Requirements](#requirements) * [Accessing the Linux Terminal](#accessing-the-linux-terminal) * [Installing Java](#installing-java) * [Installing BoxLang](#installing-boxlang) * [Installing VS Code](#installing-vs-code) * [Creating Your First App](#creating-your-first-app) * [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) * [Best Practices](#best-practices) ## Accessing the Linux Terminal You'll interact with the Linux development environment through the **Terminal** application, which provides full command-line access to your Debian container. **To open the terminal:** 1. Press **Alt + Shift + T** (keyboard shortcut) 2. Or search for "Terminal" in the launcher 3. Or use the **Everything** button and search for "Terminal"

Click on the **Penguin** tab to access your Linux environment:

## Setting Up the Development Environment ### Step 1: System Updates and Essential Tools Start by updating your system and installing essential development tools: ```bash # Update package lists and upgrade system sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y # Install essential development tools sudo apt install -y \ curl \ wget \ git \ zip \ unzip \ build-essential \ software-properties-common \ apt-transport-https \ ca-certificates \ gnome-keyring ``` ### Step 2: Installing Java 21 Modern Debian distributions now include OpenJDK 21. Try the simple installation first: ```bash # Try the easy installation first sudo apt install -y openjdk-21-jdk # Verify installation java -version ``` If OpenJDK 21 isn't available in your distribution's repositories, install it manually: #### Manual Java Installation If the package manager installation didn't work, install Java manually: ```bash # Determine your architecture ARCH=$(dpkg --print-architecture) echo "Architecture: $ARCH" # Download OpenJDK 21 based on architecture if [ "$ARCH" = "amd64" ]; then # For x64/Intel Chromebooks wget https://github.com/adoptium/temurin21-binaries/releases/download/jdk-21.0.4%2B7/OpenJDK21U-jdk_x64_linux_hotspot_21.0.4_7.tar.gz TAR_FILE="OpenJDK21U-jdk_x64_linux_hotspot_21.0.4_7.tar.gz" JDK_DIR="jdk-21.0.4+7" elif [ "$ARCH" = "arm64" ] || [ "$ARCH" = "aarch64" ]; then # For ARM Chromebooks wget https://github.com/adoptium/temurin21-binaries/releases/download/jdk-21.0.4%2B7/OpenJDK21U-jdk_aarch64_linux_hotspot_21.0.4_7.tar.gz TAR_FILE="OpenJDK21U-jdk_aarch64_linux_hotspot_21.0.4_7.tar.gz" JDK_DIR="jdk-21.0.4+7" else echo "Unsupported architecture: $ARCH" exit 1 fi # Extract and install tar -xzf $TAR_FILE sudo mkdir -p /usr/lib/jvm sudo mv $JDK_DIR /usr/lib/jvm/ # Set up environment variables echo "export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/$JDK_DIR" >> ~/.bashrc echo "export PATH=\$PATH:\$JAVA_HOME/bin" >> ~/.bashrc # Add to sudo PATH echo "Defaults secure_path=\"/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/lib/jvm/$JDK_DIR/bin\"" | sudo tee /etc/sudoers.d/java # Reload environment source ~/.bashrc # Verify installation java -version ``` {% hint style="success" %} **Modern Note**: Most current Debian-based distributions now include OpenJDK 21 in their repositories, making the simple `apt install` method the preferred approach. {% endhint %} ### Step 3: Installing BoxLang BoxLang installation is straightforward with the official installer script: ```bash # Run the BoxLang installer sudo /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://downloads.ortussolutions.com/ortussolutions/boxlang/install-boxlang.sh)" ``` **Verify the installation:** ```bash # Check BoxLang version boxlang --version # Test the REPL boxlang ```

The REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) opens, allowing you to start coding immediately, run BoxLang files, start web servers, and much more! ## Setting Up VS Code with BoxLang ### Step 4: Installing Visual Studio Code VS Code provides excellent BoxLang development support with syntax highlighting, debugging, and integrated development features. **Download and install VS Code:** 1. Visit the [VS Code download page](https://code.visualstudio.com/download) 2. Choose the **Linux** version and select the **.deb** package appropriate for your architecture: * **Intel/AMD64**: Download the x64 .deb package * **ARM**: Download the ARM64 .deb package {% hint style="info" %} **Architecture Check**: If unsure about your Chromebook's processor type, run `dpkg --print-architecture` in the terminal to verify. {% endhint %} **Install the downloaded package:** ```bash # Navigate to Downloads folder cd ~/Downloads # Install VS Code (replace with your downloaded filename) sudo dpkg -i code_*.deb # Fix any missing dependencies sudo apt-get install -f ```

### Step 5: Installing the BoxLang Extension 1. **Open VS Code** from your applications menu 2. **Access Extensions**: Click the Extensions icon (⬜) or press `Ctrl+Shift+X` 3. **Search for BoxLang**: Type "BoxLang" in the search box 4. **Install the extension**: Click "Install" on the official BoxLang extension by Ortus Solutions

The BoxLang extension provides: * **Syntax Highlighting**: Full BoxLang syntax support * **Code Completion**: Intelligent IntelliSense for BoxLang * **Debugging Support**: Set breakpoints and debug your applications * **Integrated Terminal**: Run BoxLang commands directly * **Web Server Integration**: Start and manage BoxLang web servers * **REPL Integration**: Interactive BoxLang development ## Creating Your First BoxLang Application ### Step 6: Your First BoxLang Class Let's create your first BoxLang application to test everything is working correctly. **Create a new file:** 1. **Create a project folder**: ```bash mkdir ~/boxlang-projects cd ~/boxlang-projects ``` 2. **Open VS Code in this folder**: ```bash code . ``` 3. **Create a new file** called `Hello.bx` **Add the following code:** ```javascript class { function main( args = [] ) { println( "🚀 Hello from Chromebook and BoxLang! " ); println( "📅 Current time: #now()#" ); println( "💻 System architecture: #createObject( 'java', 'java.lang.System' ).getProperty( 'os.arch' )#" ); return "BoxLang is running perfectly on your Chromebook! 🎉"; } } ```

**Run your application:** * **Method 1**: Right-click in the editor and select **"BoxLang: Run File"** * **Method 2**: Use the command palette (`Ctrl+Shift+P`) and search for "BoxLang: Run File" * **Method 3**: Use the terminal: `boxlang Hello.bx` **Expected output:** ``` 🚀 Hello from Chromebook and BoxLang! 📅 Current time: {ts '2024-05-23 18:27:33'} 💻 System architecture: aarch64 BoxLang is running perfectly on your Chromebook! 🎉 ``` ### Step 7: Creating a Web Application Now let's create a web application using BoxLang's templating system. **Create a template file** called `index.bxm`: ```xml BoxLang on Chromebook

🚀 BoxLang Web Server on Chromebook!

📅 Server Information

Current Time: #now()#

BoxLang Version: #server.boxlang.version#

Server Host: #cgi.server_name#:#cgi.server_port#

💻 System Details

OS: #createObject( 'java', 'java.lang.System' ).getProperty( 'os.name' )#

Architecture: #createObject( 'java', 'java.lang.System' ).getProperty( 'os.arch' )#

Java Version: #createObject( 'java', 'java.lang.System' ).getProperty( 'java.version' )#

🎯 Next Steps

Explore the BoxLang Documentation
Try building REST APIs with BoxLang
Create dynamic web applications
Integrate with databases and external services

``` ### Step 8: Starting the BoxLang Web Server **Start the integrated web server:** 1. **Open Command Palette**: Press `Ctrl+Shift+P` 2. **Search for BoxLang**: Type "BoxLang" to see available commands 3. **Select "BoxLang: Start Web Server"**

**You'll see output in the debug console:** ``` 🚀 Starting BoxLang Server... 📁 Web Root: /home/username/boxlang-projects 🌐 Host: localhost 🔌 Port: 8080 🐛 Debug: false ⚙️ Config Path: null 🏠 Server Home: null 🚀 Starting BoxLang Runtime... ✅ Runtime Started in 2043ms ✅ BoxLang MiniServer started in 2135ms 🌐 BoxLang MiniServer available at: http://localhost:8080 Press Ctrl+C to stop the server. ``` **Access your web application:** VS Code will automatically open your browser, or you can manually navigate to `http://localhost:8080`

Congratulations! 🎉 You've successfully created and deployed your first BoxLang web application on a Chromebook! ## Next Steps and Development Tips ### Performance Optimization for Chromebooks **Memory Management:** * Close unused browser tabs when developing * Use `boxlang --help` to see memory configuration options * Monitor system resources in Chrome OS Task Manager **Development Best Practices:** * Use the integrated VS Code terminal for BoxLang commands * Leverage VS Code's built-in Git support for version control * Take advantage of VS Code's IntelliSense for BoxLang development ### Useful BoxLang Commands for Development ```bash # Check BoxLang version and help boxlang --version boxlang --help # Run BoxLang files directly boxlang myScript.bx # Start REPL for interactive development boxlang # Start web server with custom port boxlang --server-port 9090 # Start server with debug mode boxlang --server-debug true ``` ### Additional Resources * 📚 [**BoxLang Documentation**](https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/) - Complete language reference * 🌐 [**BoxLang GitHub**](https://github.com/ortus-boxlang/boxlang) - Source code and issues * 💬 [**Community Discord**](https://discord.gg/ortussolutions) - Get help from the community * 🎓 [**BoxLang Examples**](https://github.com/ortus-boxlang/boxlang-examples) - Sample applications and tutorials ### Troubleshooting Common Issues **Java-related issues:** ```bash # Verify Java installation java -version echo $JAVA_HOME # If Java isn't found, source your profile source ~/.bashrc ``` **BoxLang server issues:** ```bash # Check if port is in use netstat -tulpn | grep :8080 # Stop any running BoxLang processes pkill -f boxlang ``` **VS Code extension issues:** * Restart VS Code if BoxLang commands aren't working * Check the Output panel for BoxLang extension logs * Ensure the BoxLang binary is in your PATH ## Conclusion You've successfully set up a complete BoxLang development environment on your Chromebook! This setup provides: ✅ **Full Java 21 development environment** ✅ **BoxLang runtime with REPL support** ✅ **VS Code with BoxLang extension** ✅ **Integrated web server capabilities** ✅ **Modern development workflow** Your Chromebook is now ready for professional BoxLang development. Whether you're building web applications, APIs, or exploring the language features, you have everything needed to create amazing BoxLang applications. {% hint style="success" %} **Pro Tip**: This entire guide was written and tested on a Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook, proving that Chromebooks are excellent development machines for BoxLang! 💻✨ {% endhint %} Happy coding with BoxLang on your Chromebook! 🚀