Command line applications (CLIs) are a useful way to interact with your computer and perform tasks without a graphical interface. They are especially useful for automating tasks and writing scripts.

In this tutorial, we'll learn how to create a command line application in Rust that *hypothetically* reads a given file path and stores its contents in a database. To do this, we'll be using the [clap crate](https://docs.rs/clap/latest/clap/), clap is a command line argument parser that simplifies the process of parsing arguments and options passed to your CLI.

First, we'll need to add clap to our Cargo.toml file, to do that run the following command in your console: 

```console
cargo add clap --features derive
```

Alternatively you can manually add the dependency:

```toml
[dependencies]
clap = { version = "4.0.32", features = ["derive"] }
``` 

Next, create a new Rust file (`main.rs`) and add the following code:

```
use clap::Parser;

/// Read the input file and store the contents in a database
#[derive(Parser, Debug)]
#[command(author = "Alfonso Bribiesca", version, about, long_about = None)]
struct Args {
    /// File path to read
    input_file: String,

    /// Create a new table
    #[arg(short, long, default_value = "false")]
    create_table: bool,

    /// Drop the table
    #[arg(short, long, default_value = "false")]
    drop_table: bool,

    /// Table name
    #[arg(short, long="table", default_value = "")]
    table_name: String,
}

```

This code is for a CLI for reading an input file and storing its contents in a database.

It defines a struct called `Args` that represents the arguments and options passed to the CLI. The `#[derive(Parser, Debug)]` attribute generates code for parsing the command line arguments and options and for printing the values of the Args struct. The `#[command(author = "Alfonso Bribiesca", version, about, long_about = None)]` attribute provides metadata about the CLI, such as the author's name and a brief description of the CLI.

The `Args` struct contains four fields:

- `input_file`: a `String` representing the input file passed as the first argument to the CLI.
- `create_table`: a `bool` representing whether the create_table option is set. If this option is set, a new table will be hypothetically created in the database.
- `drop_table`: a `bool` representing whether the drop_table option is set. If this option is set, the table will be hypothetically dropped (deleted) from the database.
- `table_name`: a `String` representing the name of the table that hypothetically will be used to name the database table.

To define the arguments and options for our CLI, we use the `#[arg(short, long, value_name = "VALUE", index = INDEX, default_value = "DEFAULT")]` attribute. The `short` and `long` arguments define the short and long forms of the option, respectively. The `default_value` argument specifies a default value for the option if it is not provided. 

Now let's add the main function to our code:

```rust
fn main() {
    let args = Args::parse();

    // Print all args
    println!("{:#?}", args);
}
```

In the main function, we call the `Args::parse()` method to parse the command line arguments and options. This method returns an Args struct containing the values of the arguments and options passed to the CLI.

We can then print the values of the `Args` struct using the `println!` macro. This is useful for debugging and understanding the values passed to the CLI.

With this, you will have a basic CLI. Now it's up to you to add the actual functionality.

You can test the application by running the command:

```console
cargo run -- <arguments>
```

Replace `<arguments>` with the arguments and options you want to pass to the CLI. For example:

`cargo run -- --drop-table --table=my-table /path/to/file.xls`

It should return the following output:

```console
Args {
    input_file: "/ath/to/file.xls",
    create_table: false,
    drop_table: true,
    table_name: "my-table",
}
```

You can also use the `--help` option to see a list of available options and the summary of your application.

`cargo run -- --help`

```console
Read the input file and store the contents in a database

Usage: parser [OPTIONS] <INPUT_FILE>

Arguments:
  <INPUT_FILE>  First positional argument is the input file

Options:
  -c, --create-table        Create a new table
  -d, --drop-table          Drop the table
  -t, --table <TABLE_NAME>  Table name [default: ]
  -h, --help                Print help information
  -V, --version             Print version information
```

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

Build a Command Line Application in Rust

I was sure of something when I decided to start this site: I would write all the content in English, even though 1. it is not my native language, 2. let's say that languages(​​in general) have never been my greatest strength, and English is no exception.

English is the most widely spoken language, and although I do not have the sources to prove it, I am sure that in the field of technology and software, the total percentage of people who speak English is even higher, added to the fact that one of my interests with this site is to reach and connect with people from all over the world.

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/pKVjU2EZG2hdDT9JHP1uc84MBrH0gcKN9koSwWQZ.png)

If writing is a challenge, writing in another language tests your patience. You have to review the content many times to be sure that it is understood, and you can still make mistakes. In my case and maybe the case of others, those mistakes can become insecurities about my content’s quality and discourage me from continuing with this project.

Anyway…, something that worked for me to overcome my fear of speaking (or writing) in English was to realize that I shouldn’t feel wrong about not completely dominating a different language and that the best way to improve is to practice, make mistakes, and receive feedback. Under that premise, I decided to add a function to this site to allow my readers to give me that feedback, so I can fix the error and learn.

### How does this form work?

In the lower-left corner, I added an avatar based on the [Winnie the Pooh Reading](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/winnie-the-pooh-reading) meme that seemed to represent the feeling you get when you don't understand something. It appears when you start scrolling the site since I take that as a sign that the user is reading the post.

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/8CLlmBh1tgSgspKYTI04ambitbkYzuQkcWECqDJE.png)

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/mAMez8z4Is0fT425KL5jsSgdCR3cUX8SJJtMtdfA.gif)

When you click, a small form appears so that you can quickly tell me about the error you noticed without leaving the page.

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/3BTMpFqco3Oi75ATWTSeemyubSJcfpHEZHrFFP4k.gif)

The form can be temporarily hidden in case you want to copy and paste something or reread the text.

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/7H9wfj5iXw7c84VvWnLbGp6QIcEWZHVpf1qSylfE.gif)

I used the telegram API so that when a new report is sent, I immediately receive a notification with a link to view or edit the post and thus resolve the problem as soon as possible.

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/Q5EMOm8xKQ9vRRO578d9NGjwushOTuCokxvnXeni.png)


What do you think? You can use the “typo form” to give some comments.

Until the next blog update ✌️.

Blog Update: Added a way to report unclear articles or grammar errors

When using Vercel for monolithic projects that may contain files that are not part of the frontend, you may encounter a situation where every time you modify something that is not necessarily part of the frontend, Vercel triggers a new deployment that rebuilds the site automatically.

In those cases, you may need to ensure that the build process is only triggered when necessary.

Luckily Vercel has an [Ignored Build Step](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/projects/overview#ignored-build-step) setting that allows you to disable the build step for specific scenarios, the problem is that the examples explain how you can trigger the build step in a particular folder but not how to ignore the folder. (For example, let's say that you don't want to build the entire site if you only changed the `/api` folder)

To do that, follow these steps:

1. Go to project settings:

![](https://api.alfonsobries.com/storage/DoaxRUowmHYORuYYPPHxA1QPNxNdVrzqMyf2SuRt.png)

2. Select the Git Tab:

![](https://api.alfonsobries.com/storage/zBzfT3bjk0JKDbn6YgSNKsMqwBonTEvQKotEs6DA.png)

3. Go to the Ignored Build Step

![](https://api.alfonsobries.com/storage/w1ZobWcgwRIpq7ScJbRChZQ0H3kEOnnBVcFBJMcG.png)

4. Add the following code:

```console
# Change `./api` for the path of the folder you want to ignore
git diff HEAD^ HEAD --quiet ':!./api'
```

![](https://api.alfonsobries.com/storage/bJ1DqeQrMQrbkARePI4pJi30LGFQ0ZXT1Mv4r0Q5.png)


You may also want to ignore certain file types. For those cases, modify the code as follows:

```console
# Replace `'php'` with the file extensions you want to ignore.
git diff HEAD^ HEAD --quiet ':!*.php'
```

You can also add multiple file types:

```console
git diff HEAD^ HEAD --quiet ':!*.php' ':!*.png'
```

Or a single file

```console
git diff HEAD^ HEAD --quiet ':!config.ts'
```

How to ignore Vercel build step for certain folders and files

A few weeks ago, I decided to stop using Twitter temporarily, even though Twitter is by far my favorite social network for various reasons. Among them, I follow people I admire and who motivate me to do things. Also, as a developer, it is a great way to learn about new technologies and projects before anyone else and you always find something new to learn. Memes are fun, and in general, one always finds interesting things. Finally is a great place to connect with people with common interests worldwide.

So what is the problem? I think that Twitter has not done a great job of helping you avoid content that you do not want to see or that, in my case, gives me some degree of stress and anxiety. The war, the pandemic, and politics in my country, among others. In short, bomb of unwanted information do nothing but affect my mental state and therefore my well-being.

During the time I have been on this vacation from Twitter I have been trying to find an alternative to not disconnect me from the world. I thought that a blog could be a great way to achieve it. A couple of reasons:

- A blog has the advantage of being a single-side way to create content, which means that you share some info, but you don't necessarily receive an immediate response, and you don't need to join the conversation.
- It allows you to generate content that doesn't expire as quickly as other social networks, and can be helpful for more people for more time.
- If you need it, It can be an excellent way to have some content to share on your social networks.
- And finally (and maybe more important), I needed a personal site to share some of my work.

In addition, creating a blog was one of those projects I have had in mind for a long time (I think it's an SW developers thing 😅). I wanted to do something very personal and flexible in case I want to add more features.

Since I'm not a designer, but I expect to have a nice-designed and very personal website, I spend some time trying to find inspiration and develop ideas of how I wanted my blog to look. For example, one of the things I wanted was to be able to add some "easter eggs" just because I can 🤷‍♂️. Anyway..., it seemed to me that adding memes would be a way to accomplish that, and everyone loves memes, right? Finally, I said hey! What if I'm the meme myself?

To do this I first had to create a character and since I like comic strips I tried to take inspiration from illustrators like [Sarah Andersen](https://sarahcandersen.com/), [Quino](https://www.quino.com.ar/), [Fowls comics](https://www.fowllanguagecomics.com/), [The Oatmeal](https://theoatmeal.com/), and many more that I like.

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/2gPLkPZWNh5ZpWoYk6F1IXNzJT0whHvGSwUTyfQ0.png)

So I got down to work and started making quick sketches of this "Alfonso" character that you can see everywhere on this site.

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/k0rwhFpAc6jOr7sm2n2K1daNAhTBkUygOlFbC0Vn.jpg)

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/7byCozUsTB2QYD6Bwxoro7AHYpm2Bf7pg9i9rR11.jpg)

I used a mixture of patience, a Wacom tablet, and some Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer magic until I ended up with what would be my avatar (and, who knows, maybe a character from my webcomic in the future).

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/eLRzw8X7gfl2umbnsy4xMNYHS5X47d4OJ0RDlaTk.png)

Regarding the design, my goal was to make a minimalist but fun site full of memes. These are some of the things I drew in my notebook:

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/5P0kSPDgd8QjKecOKKVb5TputQXcKhR2wsLd0chK.png)

The design evolved as I progressed with the website, I did not use all the elements I initially devised, and I added some new ones that ended with this website you are seeing.

### Technology

Regarding technology, even though I consider myself a "Vue Boy," I opted to make my site in React + Next.js for this occasion. Some of the reasons:

1. Because of the integration it has with Vercel
2. Because I wanted to increase my portfolio with React
3. I wanted to experience the static site technology of Next.js

Of course, I chose TailwindCSS for styling, which basically is the best thing that has happened to me as a web developer for a long time.

### About the static site generation

I wanted this site to be fast with a 100% Lighthouse score, and the best way to achieve that was with a static site. The problem with static sites is that it is not easy to update the content because you have to recompile the site every time you adjust something. Also, the content is not exactly dynamic (as you would expect from a blog) since it does not make any calls to the server.

Here is a quick summary of what I did to solve the problem:

I created a content manager with [Laravel Nova](https://nova.laravel.com/) where I can add projects, blog posts and adjust my resume (which is also hosted on this site). I configured the various database models to mark the site as "expired" every time I modify something and added a cron job that checks when the content is expired and if so it calls a [Vercel Deploy hook](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/git/deploy-hooks) that indicates Vervel that it need to recompile.

Worst case scenario, the site will be out of sync for 2 minutes, but I'm not CNN either, so I don't care ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The result? Hmm... I think my coffee cup pretty much sums it up:

![](https://alfonsobries.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/lPufHZEvK0jXaCN37N9q9RuMaM0nbd8uWn9kYMOJ.png)

What did you think of the site?

Could you find all the hidden memes?

I would love to read your comments. Write me via [Twitter](https://twitter.com/alfonsobries) or use the [contact form](/contact). I promise to add a way to comment directly on this site soon.

– Alfonso

Welcome to my new personal website

It was the end of 2009, I had been making websites for about a year and a half in a relatively well-known digital agency, I had gained experience through my first formal job at a digital agency, working on projects for several well-known companies in Mexico, I was about to turn 22, and I had a plan: I was going to create my own software development agency.

This is how I started 12 years of developing all kinds of projects for all kinds of companies, meeting many interesting people, and trying to make a name for this small company that just started.

Today marks about two years since I gradually stopped all Vexilo projects, and I want to share some reflections and the history of the company in this post:

Let's start from the beginning:

## Just Me

When I started my company, I was alone, I had practically no budget, but I had something better: I was motivated, I liked to do software, I was good, and I had a computer. So acquired my first clients, executed the projects, and being alone helped me survive while building a portfolio.

![First Office (between 2009 and 2010)](https://api.alfonsobries.com/storage/6wNfwyl3fesQbmrs9VN4RgOttKqWfiCTVrqa21Tj.png)

## Growth

Eventually, the first employees came, the first office, the team, and the portfolio grew. Although I was far from growing as I wanted, it was satisfactory for me. Sometimes, I had a good income, and even at the worst moments throughout those 12 years, I always had money to pay my bills, team salaries, and the rest of the company accounts.

![](https://api.alfonsobries.com/storage/WXN6PqkITYlS5OgpcQyglb7MzczOfWRN0ZzcoOOQ.png)

## Stagnation

People close to me will know that while Vexilo lasted, I was personally involved in practically all the projects, which means that even though other developers came and went, I never really managed to separate myself from the code, which stopped me from being able to take on more clients and projects.

![](https://api.alfonsobries.com/storage/xVSrczolcBIu3EVi1b6NmYTQfwn1y1Juqb4Z2PBr.png)

To grow, I needed more people, but finding the right people was tough. Reasons (or excuses, perhaps?) I have a couple:

### I wasn't paying enough money

It is no secret that the demand for software developers has grown exponentially, and their salary  has increased. Furthermore, paying higher salaries doesn't guarantee hiring the best candidate, and as a small company, I couldn't afford to hire someone who wasn't capable enough.

Think of it like this, you hire a developer, let's say you pay him 5,000USD/month (considering taxes in Mexico, it costs you like 6,000USD), starts with his first project that has to be finished in 3 months, and it turns out that he simply was not able to make it. If he does not have the capacity, you simply cannot afford to continue paying his salary, which means you have to terminate the employment relationship. Terminating an employee in México costs you an extra three months of salary, and the worst part is: Project is already 3 months behind schedule.

Summary: You spent more than USD 30,000, you have a project to deliver that has little or no advance at all, and you are already delayed.

### I didn't search well

I'm sure there are more options to find good developers. For example, you can hire developers with less experience, and train them.

In my opinion, that is one of the best options for this dilemma, and it was where I had the most success, however, the search is still challenging, talented people are there, but you have to work hard to find them, and that is a job that requires a lot of time which I did not have.

### I didn't charge enough.

More money would have given me more options, hire someone from HR, take more risk in hiring or carry less stress.

Why didn't I charge more? It is a bit complex to answer, but above all, I think I lacked experience.

## Tired

Next year I was going to get married, and organizing a wedding was something stressful. During that time, I accepted a good project that required me to step out of my comfort zone (it involved knowledge that I didn't have, so I had to look for a team to delegate to). 

I struggled to find a team that I could trust blindly and ended up paying someone in advance to help with the project. Unfortunately, that person disappeared and the project fell behind schedule, resulting in lawsuit a significant financial loss for me.

Since I do not tend to look back, I survived again (as always), but that was "the straw that broke the camel's back" of something inevitable. I was tired, my company was stagnant, and unlike when I started in 2009, I was not motivated to keep going.

## Being an Employee Again, Hello Foreign Companies

The lack of motivation was reflected in the company, although it was alive and working, the team began to shrink until it practically returned to the beginning.

During that time, I accepted a contract to work personally for a US company, it was a good experience, it helped me to lose the fear of speaking English, the pay was relatively good, and there was some comfort in being an employee again: On Friday, you finish your work and forget, you don't need to chase the clients to get paid, the stress is less, etc.

Working for a foreign company also changed my vision, I realized that Mexico was not the best place to focus my mind and energy, in addition, it gave me stability and time to retake a breath, gain motivation again and start thinking about my following projects, among which, as you can imagine, Vexilo was no longer part.

## Why am I closing Vexilo?

There are several reasons I would not like to make this note too long, but among the most relevant are the following:

- Today, I don't see an interesting future (at least not for me) working in a software development agency in Mexico.
- Making software is expensive, and in general Mexican companies are not willing to pay for it.
- Foreign companies are absorbing talented people with salaries you can't compete with. (Between $5,000USD/month and $15,000USD/month)
- Note in this regard: [Latin American companies no longer have enough to attract technological talent - Rest of World](https://restofworld.org/2022/empresas-latinoamerica-escacez-talento-tecnologico/)
- More: [https://twitter.com/levelsio/status/1486972320061136899](https://twitter.com/levelsio/status/1486972320061136899)
- Extremely interesting projects are emerging that do not fit with a company that makes third-party software.

In general, there is a world of opportunities, and focusing on a company like Vexilo distracts me from them.

## What about me?

I haven't changed much from when I started: I'm motivated, I like making software, I'm good at it, I have a computer, and I have something even more important: Experience.

I'm still somewhat of an entrepreneur, and I have some exciting projects and ideas I'm working on 👀.

Meanwhile, I work in an interesting company with talented and intelligent people from all over the world and I'm doing fun things that challenge my intelligence.

In general, I think there is a sea of opportunities for whatever decides to take them, and I chose to follow that path.

Posts / Page 2

Build a Command Line Application in Rust

Blog Update: Added a way to report unclear articles or grammar errors

How to ignore Vercel build step for certain folders and files

Welcome to my new personal website

Bye bye, Vexilo