refactor(setup): optimize cfoundation setup process and improve documentation

- Implement sparse checkout for cfoundation cloning to exclude unnecessary files
- Add clear instructions for virtual environment activation in README
- Only clone essential files required for Python bindings

Closes #20

Author: imprvhub

README.md

@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ cd tidesdb-python
 
 # Run the setup script
 ./setup.sh
+
+# Activate the virtual environment
+source venv/bin/activate  # Your prompt should show (venv) at the beginning
 ```
 
 #### Windows
@@ -38,6 +41,10 @@ cd tidesdb-python
 
 # Run the setup script
 .\setup.ps1
+
+# Activate the virtual environment
+# For Windows (PowerShell or Command Prompt):
+venv\Scripts\activate  # Your prompt should show (venv) at the beginning
 ```
 
 ### Understanding the Setup Process
@@ -48,15 +55,20 @@ The installation process consists of several important steps:
    - The setup scripts automatically clone and configure the TidesDB C foundation (`cfoundation/`).
    - This component is crucial as it provides the core database functionality that the Python bindings interact with.
    - The scripts handle:
-     - Cloning the C foundation repository
+     - Cloning the C foundation repository (only essential files)
      - Configuring build options for optimal performance
      - Building and installing the C library
      - Integrating it seamlessly with the Python bindings
 
 2. **Python Environment**
-   - Creates a virtual environment for isolated package management
-   - Installs all required Python dependencies
-   - Sets up the Python package in development mode
+   - The setup script automatically:
+     - Creates a virtual environment for isolated package management
+     - Installs all required Python dependencies
+     - Sets up the Python package in development mode
+   - After installation, you must manually activate the virtual environment:
+     - For Linux/macOS: `source venv/bin/activate`
+     - For Windows: `venv\Scripts\activate`
+     - Once activated, your prompt should show (venv) at the beginning
 
 #### Automated Setup Details
 

setup.ps1

@@ -4,11 +4,14 @@ $ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
 # Define C library repository
 $CLIB_REPO = "https://github.com/tidesdb/tidesdb"
 
-# Clone and set up C foundation
-Write-Host "Cloning TidesDB C foundation..."
-git clone $CLIB_REPO cfoundation
+# Clone with sparse checkout
+Write-Host "Cloning TidesDB C foundation (minimal)..."
+git clone --filter=blob:none --sparse $CLIB_REPO cfoundation
 Set-Location cfoundation
 
+# Configure sparse checkout patterns
+git sparse-checkout set --no-cone '/*' '!artwork/' '!test/' '!.github/' '!CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md' '!CONTRIBUTING.md' '!LICENSE' '!README.md' '!SECURITY.md' '!.gitignore'
+
 # Remove .git directory as it will be part of the main project
 Write-Host "Cleaning up git history..."
 Remove-Item -Recurse -Force .git

setup.sh

@@ -5,11 +5,14 @@ set -e  # Stop the script in case of error
 # Define C library repository
 CLIB_REPO="https://github.com/tidesdb/tidesdb"
 
-# Clone and set up C foundation
-echo "Cloning TidesDB C foundation..."
-git clone "$CLIB_REPO" cfoundation
+# Clone with sparse checkout
+echo "Cloning TidesDB C foundation (minimal)..."
+git clone --filter=blob:none --sparse "$CLIB_REPO" cfoundation
 cd cfoundation
 
+# Configure sparse checkout patterns
+git sparse-checkout set --no-cone '/*' '!artwork/' '!test/' '!.github/' '!CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md' '!CONTRIBUTING.md' '!LICENSE' '!README.md' '!SECURITY.md' '!.gitignore'
+
 # Remove .git directory as it will be part of the main project
 echo "Cleaning up git history..."
 rm -rf .git