Understanding Project Structure

When you open a professional codebase, you'll notice it's not just a pile of random files. Projects follow conventions — agreed-upon patterns for organizing code, configuration, and documentation. Understanding these patterns helps you navigate any project, whether you wrote it or not.

Think of it like a house. Kitchens have stoves and refrigerators. Bathrooms have sinks and toilets. You don't need a map because the conventions are familiar. Code projects work the same way.

Common File Types

Every project contains different types of files serving different purposes:

Source files contain your actual code:

.py — Python files
.js — JavaScript files
.ts — TypeScript files
.html, .css — Web files

Configuration files tell tools how to behave:

package.json — Node.js project settings and dependencies
requirements.txt — Python dependencies
.gitignore — Files Git should ignore
.env — Environment variables

Documentation explains the project:

README.md — Project overview and instructions
LICENSE — Legal terms for using the code

A Typical Project Layout

Here's what a simple Python project might look like:

my-project/
├── README.md
├── requirements.txt
├── .gitignore
├── src/
│   ├── main.py
│   └── helpers.py
└── tests/
    └── test_main.py

And a Node.js project:

my-project/
├── README.md
├── package.json
├── .gitignore
├── src/
│   ├── index.js
│   └── utils.js
└── tests/
    └── index.test.js

Notice the similarities: both have a README, both separate source code into a src folder, both have a tests folder.

Why Conventions Matter

Following conventions helps in several ways:

Collaboration: Other developers instantly understand your project layout. They know where to find things without asking.

Tools: Build systems, linters, and AI assistants expect certain structures. Following conventions means tools work out of the box.

Your future self: Six months from now, you'll open this project and immediately know where everything is.

Starting Simple

For your first projects, keep it simple: a few files in a single folder. As projects grow, you'll naturally want more organization. The patterns will make sense when you need them.

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