task_id: “1.2” title: “Basic Web Application Structure” status: “pending” priority: “high” estimated_effort: “small” created: “2025-07-20” assigned_to: “pair” related_rfds: “RFD 004”

Task 1.2: Basic Web Application Structure

Summary

Implement the three essential web application components: handler, router, and web server with proper Go conventions.

Motivation

Following Let’s Go Chapter 2.2, we need to establish the foundational web application architecture that will support all buylater.email functionality. This creates the proper separation between handlers, routing, and server management.

Acceptance Criteria

• Handler function with proper (w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) signature
• ServeMux router initialized with http.NewServeMux()
• Web server listening on port 4000 using http.ListenAndServe()
• Basic logging added to show server startup message
• Clean separation between handler logic and server setup

Technical Requirements

Implementation Details

• Create dedicated handler function following Go conventions
• Use http.NewServeMux() for explicit router creation
• Add proper error handling for http.ListenAndServe()
• Include startup logging with port information

Dependencies

• Task 1.1 completed (basic project setup)

Testing Strategy

Unit Tests

• Handler function returns expected response
• Handler writes correct HTTP status codes

Integration Tests

• Router correctly maps requests to handlers

Manual Testing

• Server starts and displays startup log message
• Home page responds with simple HTML content
• Browser developer tools show correct HTTP headers

Definition of Done

• All acceptance criteria met
• All specified tests pass
• Code follows project conventions (go fmt, go vet)
• No new console errors or warnings
• Relevant documentation updated
• Human verification completed successfully
• Git commit created with proper message format

Implementation Notes

Approach

Build on Task 1.1 by refactoring the simple HTTP server into properly separated components that follow Go web development best practices.

Key Files to Modify

• main.go - Refactor to use proper handler functions and ServeMux

Potential Risks

• Breaking existing functionality from Task 1.1
• Handler signature errors causing compilation issues

Success Metrics

Web server starts cleanly, logs startup message, and serves requests through proper handler/router architecture.

Related Tasks

• Blocks: Task 1.3 (multiple routes depend on proper router setup)
• Blocked by: Task 1.1 (needs basic project structure)
• Related: Foundation for all HTTP handling in the application

Implementation Log

2025-07-20 - Implementation Complete

• Enhanced handler function with proper documentation explaining its role
• Improved ServeMux initialization with clear comments about router functionality
• Enhanced logging with more informative startup message including full URL
• Added comprehensive comments explaining the three essential web application components
• Improved code organization and readability while maintaining functionality
• Verified code formatting with go fmt and go vet
• Build successful with go build

Final Verification

Human Tester: [Name]
Date Completed: [YYYY-MM-DD]
Verification Result: [Pass/Fail]
Notes: [Any issues found or additional observations]