optimize cortex watch

[chinesedfan]

Finally, my evil hands stretch to cortex. :D

I want to do following optimizations:

1. When copying css files, DO NOT copy referred images if they are also in directories defined in cortex.json. optimize copy csses #515
2. When copying directories, only copying the file that has been changed, instead of the whole directory. only copy the changed file when copy_directories #516
3. Fix the watching tips —— replace cwd to the changed file. fix tips about which file is changed #513
4. Add another build type, like mod. It may require neuron-builder to accept the changed file as an argument. So that it can reject unnecessary build. If users only modify a file in mod/, entries that do not depend on it will not be re-built. only rebuild those affected entries #518
5. Create symbolic links instead of copying. It will only be activated when a special option has been provided, like cortex build/watch --symlink. So that step copy_directories costs less time. Moreover, if css files are in the same folder, we can also create a symbolic link. add another build/watch option --symlink #520

The first 3 ones have been done and the corresponding MR has been created. But the last 2 are just my prototype ideas. Any suggestions?

[kaelzhang]

Generally, it is better to refractor the old cortex and isolate the logic into several modules rather than making it bigger and bigger.

For example, create a common module to copy files to prevent duplicate copying during a single process and handle file caches(mtime) at the same time.

Creating symlink is a good idea.

Watcher and builder mechanism could be smarter:

• js changes:
  • if is main or of entries, just build the js file
  • otherwise, build main and all entries
• css files are similar
• create symlink for all other resources. be careful with system priviledges.

multi-watcher is buggy from time to time.

[kaelzhang]

May i have your npm nickname, so that I can owner add you?

[chinesedfan]

Sure, it's just the same with my Github account——chinesedfan.

[kaelzhang]

@chinesedfan done.

So, always remember semver. That's all.

[chinesedfan]

@kaelzhang Thanks. I hope to finish 4&5, then release a new version.