Data Layer

Goal

This snapshot advances Harborline Digest 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 Docker for Postgres stages.

Port 3003 must be free. Copy .env.example before starting database stages.

• Node.js and npm
• A code editor and terminal
• Docker from part 4 onward

Concepts

Each snapshot uses an isolated database so stages stay independent.

Keep server routes thin: pages present data, server handlers enforce rules, and templates escape 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 = await db.select().from(postsTable).orderBy(desc(postsTable.createdAt))

Run and verify

Enter 04-Data-Layer, install dependencies, copy .env.example, and start Nuxt on port 3003.

Open http://127.0.0.1:3003. Watch the terminal for validation and database errors.

docker compose up -d
git clone https://github.com/michaeldunga1/fcc-nuxt-blog.git
cd fcc-nuxt-blog/04-Data-Layer
npm install
cp .env.example .env
npm run dev -- --port 3003

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 harborline_NN name when applicable. Never commit .env 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