Data Layer

Goal

This snapshot advances Beaconrock 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 3005 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 the server boundary visible: routeLoader$ reads trusted data; routeAction$ validates input and re-checks authorization before mutations.

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 rows = await db.select().from(posts).orderBy(desc(posts.createdAt))

Run and verify

Enter 04-Data-Layer, install dependencies, copy .env.example, and start Qwik City on port 3005.

Open http://127.0.0.1:3005. Watch the terminal for validation and database errors.

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

Troubleshooting

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

For database failures, confirm Docker is running and the beaconrock_NN name matches the snapshot. 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