Data Layer

Goal

This snapshot advances Stellar Press by teaching you to persist authors and posts.

Every numbered folder is a complete app. Run this stage independently, then compare it with the previous folder.

Prerequisites

Use Node.js 20+, npm, and a terminal. No Docker is required for SQLite stages.

Port 4321 must be free. Copy .env.example before starting database stages.

• Node.js and npm
• A code editor and terminal

Concepts

Each snapshot uses an isolated database so stages stay independent.

Keep server endpoints thin: pages present data, API routes enforce rules, and Astro escapes output by default.

Walkthrough

Connect the database, create User and Post models, seed Ada and Grace.

Read the example, then open the matching snapshot. The repository includes the surrounding setup and error handling.

const posts = db.prepare('SELECT * FROM posts ORDER BY created_at DESC').all()

Run and verify

Enter 04-Data-Layer, install dependencies, copy .env.example, and start Astro on port 4321.

Open http://127.0.0.1:4321. Watch the terminal for validation and database errors.

git clone https://github.com/michaeldunga1/fcc-astro-blog.git
cd fcc-astro-blog/04-Data-Layer
npm install
cp .env.example .env
npm run dev -- --port 4321

Troubleshooting

Connection refused usually means Docker/Wrangler is not running or the port/DB name is wrong.

For database failures, confirm Docker/Wrangler and the *.db name when applicable. Never commit .env, *.db, or node_modules.

• Read the first error first
• Restart after environment changes
• Never commit secrets

Try this

Add a minimum title length check before insert.

Test a happy path and one invalid or unauthorized request.

• Make one small change
• Test it in the browser
• Compare with the next snapshot only after it works