Hey everyone! I'm diving into PostgreSQL while working on a project to create a Reddit-like application using Node.js and Express. I'm curious about how to effectively structure a database for such an app. I have a rough idea of dividing the data into separate tables, like a user table, a table for communities each user follows, a table for communities containing their posts and post details, and another for comments on those posts. Does this sound practical? Also, I'm a bit worried about how fast the database might grow with all the posts; wouldn't a simplified version with all users, posts, comments, and communities in one place just slow down queries, especially when trying to find a user's posts? I appreciate any insights!
3 Answers
Starting simple is definitely the way to go! Just create tables for all users and posts to get things rolling. Once your database grows and performance starts to lag, then you can explore options like sharding or caching recent posts. For now, focus on building it out without overthinking complexity. The crucial part is getting something functional first!
Actually, databases can handle large datasets quite efficiently, even with millions of records. Fetching posts by a single user should be quick, often just a few milliseconds. The real slowdown comes from managing large data returns, so setting limits can keep speeds reasonable. Keep it simple at first, avoid over-optimizing too early. You can always refine later!
A cool little note: Reddit actually runs on a NoSQL database, mainly Cassandra, chosen for its ability to handle vast scales and complex comment trees. But for your learning process, sticking with PostgreSQL and keeping your design simple is a smart move. Focus on learning rather than replicating their exact setup.
That’s interesting! What advantages does Cassandra have over traditional SQL databases?
Exactly! Just get it up and running, then work on enhancing performance step by step. It’s all about making it functional first.