As a developer, I spend a lot of time on GitHub, and I've always wanted a better way to understand and analyze repositories. That's why I built the GitHub Repository Analyzer, a web application that provides a detailed analysis of any public GitHub repository. This project was a great opportunity to work with the GitHub API and to learn more about data visualization and AI.
The Journey
Step 1: Fetching Data from the GitHub API
The first step was to fetch data from the GitHub API. I used the `octokit` library to make requests to the API and get information about repositories, such as the number of stars, forks, and commits. I also fetched the repository's file structure to provide a complete overview.
Step 2: Building the User Interface with Next.js
I used Next.js to build the user interface of the application. I created a dynamic page for each repository that displays the fetched data in a clean and easy-to-read format. I also used a charting library to create visualizations of the data, such as a graph of the commit history.
Step 3: Integrating AI for Code Analysis
To make the application even more powerful, I integrated an AI that can analyze the code in the repository. I used the Gemini API to create a system that can summarize the purpose of the repository, identify the main technologies used, and even suggest improvements. This provides users with a deeper understanding of the code without having to read through it all.
Key Learnings
- Working with Third-Party APIs: I gained experience in working with third-party APIs like the GitHub API, which is a valuable skill for any web developer.
- Data Visualization: I learned how to use charting libraries to create beautiful and informative visualizations of data.
- AI-Powered Code Analysis: I discovered how to use AI to analyze and understand code, which is a powerful tool for developers.
Future Scope
In the future, I plan to add a feature that allows users to compare different repositories. I also want to add a code quality score to help users assess the quality of the code in a repository. Another idea is to create a browser extension that integrates the analyzer directly into the GitHub interface.
Conclusion
The GitHub Repository Analyzer was a fun and challenging project that taught me a lot about web development, data visualization, and AI. It's a useful tool for any developer who wants to get a deeper understanding of GitHub repositories, and I'm proud of what I've built. I'm excited to continue improving the analyzer and to see how it can help other developers.