Pre-requisites & Tech Stack Used for the Dictionary App

Before we start coding the Dictionary App, let’s make sure you have the right environment set up. In this module, you’ll also learn about the technologies powering the app so you understand how everything fits together.

1) Basic Requirements

• Node.js and npm: Install Node.js (version 16 or newer). npm comes bundled with Node.js and is required for installing project dependencies. You can download it from nodejs.org. Vite requires a modern Node.js version.
• Code Editor: Use Visual Studio Code (VSCode). It provides features like an integrated terminal, React extensions, and IntelliSense for easier development.
• Web Browser: Any modern browser such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox will work for running and testing the app.
• Git (Optional): If you want to back up your code or collaborate with others, install Git from git-scm.com.
• Basic Knowledge: You should be comfortable with:
  • HTML, CSS, and modern JavaScript (ES6 features such as arrow functions, destructuring, and array methods).
  • Core React concepts like JSX and useState. We will also introduce useEffect and explain it as we build the app.

2) Tech Stack Used

• React with Vite: React is the JavaScript library we use for building the user interface. Vite is the tool we used to set up this app. It is faster and simpler than Create React App and provides optimized builds.
• JavaScript (ES6+): The app logic is written in modern JavaScript. We use array mapping, string methods, and async/await for fetching data.
• HTML and CSS: JSX provides the structure of our app, while styling is managed in two files:
  • App.css contains the custom styles for the search form, results, and suggestions.
  • index.css provides global styles and browser defaults.
• Node.js + npm: Node.js powers the local development server, while npm installs dependencies like React, React DOM, and Vite.
• External APIs: Instead of storing dictionary data locally, the app fetches results in real time from:
  • dictionaryapi.dev for word definitions and phonetics.
  • datamuse.com for live word suggestions.
• Netlify Deployment: After building the app, we deployed it on Netlify for free hosting so anyone can access it through a live link.

3) Input

This app takes input directly from the user through a simple search form:

• Text Field: A single input box where the user types the word they want to look up.
• Search Button: A button that triggers the form submission and fetches the dictionary results.
• Suggestions Section: As the user types, the app fetches related word suggestions and shows them as clickable buttons. Clicking one of these buttons automatically fills the input box with the suggested word.
• React handles user input with the onChange event, and form submission with onSubmit. The word is stored in React state for real-time updates.

4) Output

The app dynamically displays results fetched from the API:

• Suggestions: If the typed word is incomplete, the app shows alternative suggestions from Datamuse.
• Error Handling: If the word is not found, a user-friendly error message is displayed.
• Word Results: For valid words, the app displays:
  • The searched word and its phonetic spelling.
  • Definitions grouped by part of speech.
  • Example sentences (if available).
  • Synonyms (up to 5 suggestions).
• Thanks to React’s state system, the results appear instantly without reloading the page, and the UI remains clean and readable.

By the end of this module, you should have everything installed, understand the tools we are using, and know how user input flows into output. In the next module, we’ll start building the app step by step.