CouchDB (a no-sql db, but whatever) automatically provides a REST API that’s designed to be exposed directly to clients. It even implements its own client-facing authentication system. “queries” are configured in advance from the admin side, and clients just pull the results, allowing for very efficient caching. Basically, if you RTFM enough to get a couchdb instance running, you have 90%-100% of your backend complete. You could create an entire scalable full-stack app using only client-side code… and if you’re clever with HTMX, you might even be able to do it without writing any javascript at all! (I tried once, but failed because I’m not that clever, but it’s definitely probably possible)
So TL;DR: I like couchdb, and the idea of exposing your database directly to users isn’t unprecedented. I wonder if there are any SQL databases that offer a similar thing?
CouchDB (a no-sql db, but whatever) automatically provides a REST API that’s designed to be exposed directly to clients. It even implements its own client-facing authentication system. “queries” are configured in advance from the admin side, and clients just pull the results, allowing for very efficient caching. Basically, if you RTFM enough to get a couchdb instance running, you have 90%-100% of your backend complete. You could create an entire scalable full-stack app using only client-side code… and if you’re clever with HTMX, you might even be able to do it without writing any javascript at all! (I tried once, but failed because I’m not that clever, but it’s definitely probably possible)
So TL;DR: I like couchdb, and the idea of exposing your database directly to users isn’t unprecedented. I wonder if there are any SQL databases that offer a similar thing?