Web Server Guide

This guide covers building and deploying web applications with Strata, including development workflows, production deployment, and RoadRunner integration.

Overview

Strata provides powerful tools for building web applications:

• Development server with automatic recompilation
• Production-ready deployment with RoadRunner
• HTTP support for headers, status codes, and request handling
• Flexible configuration for different environments

Quick Start

Development

Start a development server:

strata serve server.str

The server will:

• Watch for file changes
• Automatically recompile on save
• Reload the application
• Refresh the browser automatically
• Use RoadRunner if installed (for better performance)

Production

Build and serve with RoadRunner:

# build the worker
strata build server.str --rr-worker

# start production server (if RoadRunner is installed)
strata serve server.str --production

# OR (standard deployment)
strata build
# serve 'build/index.php' with Nginx/Apache

Development Workflow

For detailed information about the strata serve command, see the CLI Commands: strata serve documentation.

Quick start:

strata serve <file> [--host=HOST] [--port=PORT]

The development server automatically:

• Watches all .str files in your project
• Recompiles when changes are detected
• Reloads the server
• Sends a Refresh header to browsers

The server automatically uses RoadRunner if available, otherwise falls back to PHP's built-in server.

Production Deployment

Prerequisites

1. RoadRunner binary - Install from roadrunner.dev
2. PHP dependencies:

   composer require spiral/roadrunner-http spiral/roadrunner-worker nyholm/psr7

3. Pre-built worker:

   strata build server.str --rr-worker

Configuration

Create a .rr.yaml file in your project root. See CLI Commands: strata serve for a complete example configuration.

Starting Production Server

If RoadRunner is installed:

strata serve server.str --production

If RoadRunner is not installed, builds should be served using Nginx or Apache pointing to the build/ directory. strata serve --production is discouraged without RoadRunner.

strata serve server.str --production

For detailed production mode information, see CLI Commands: strata serve.

HTTP Handling

Setting Status Codes

Use http_response_code() to set HTTP status codes:

fn main(): Void {
    http_response_code(201);
    echo "Created";
}

Setting Headers

Use header() to set HTTP headers:

fn main(): Void {
    header("Content-Type: application/json");
    header("X-Custom-Header: value");
    echo json_encode(data: ["status" => "ok"]);
}

Request Information

Access request data via superglobals:

fn main(): Void {
    let method = _SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'];
    let path = _SERVER['REQUEST_URI'];
    let query = _SERVER['QUERY_STRING'];

    // handle request
    if method == "GET" && path == "/api/users" {
        http_response_code(200);
        header("Content-Type: application/json");
        echo getUsers();
    }
}

RoadRunner Integration

RoadRunner provides high performance, production-ready deployment with persistent worker processes and automatic worker restarts.

For detailed RoadRunner setup, installation, and configuration, see CLI Commands: strata serve.

Best Practices

Development

1. Use development mode for active development:

   strata serve server.str

2. Keep RoadRunner installed for better performance and production parity

3. Watch console output for compilation status and errors

Production

1. Always build first:

   strata build server.str --rr-worker

2. Test production mode locally:

   strata serve server.str --production

3. Configure workers appropriately in .rr.yaml:

   • num_workers: Match your server capacity
   • max_jobs: 0 for unlimited (or set a limit)
   • Timeouts: Adjust based on your needs

4. Set appropriate log levels:

   logs:
     level: error  # Use 'error' in production, 'debug' for troubleshooting

Code Organization

1. Separate concerns:

   • Request handling logic
   • Business logic
   • Response formatting

2. Use classes for services:

   class UserService {
       // service logic
   }
   
   fn main(): Void {
       let service = UserService();
       // handle request with service
   }

3. Handle errors gracefully:

   fn handleRequest(): String {
       try {
           return processRequest();
       } catch (e) {
           http_response_code(500);
           return '{"error": "Internal server error"}';
       }
   }

Troubleshooting

For detailed troubleshooting information, see the Troubleshooting section in CLI Commands: strata serve.

Next Steps

• CLI Commands: strata serve - Detailed command reference
• Web Application Examples - Code examples
• Language Reference - Learn Strata features
• RoadRunner Documentation - RoadRunner guide