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Seamless multi-master syncing database with an intuitive HTTP/JSON API, designed for reliability
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Simple and fast JSON database
The JavaScript Database, for Node.js, nw.js, electron and the browser
A fast, local first, reactive Database for JavaScript Applications https://rxdb.info/
💾 Offline storage, improved. Wraps IndexedDB, WebSQL, or localStorage using a simple but powerful API.
Quick Overview
PouchDB is an open-source JavaScript database that allows applications to store and sync data locally, while also syncing with CouchDB and other PouchDB databases. It's designed to run well in the browser and other JavaScript environments, making it ideal for offline-first web and mobile applications.
Pros
- Offline-first capabilities, allowing apps to work without an internet connection
- Easy synchronization with CouchDB and other PouchDB instances
- Cross-platform compatibility (works in browsers, Node.js, Electron, Cordova, etc.)
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for additional functionality
Cons
- Performance can be slower compared to some other database solutions, especially with large datasets
- Limited query capabilities compared to traditional SQL databases
- Learning curve for developers unfamiliar with NoSQL concepts
- Potential for conflicts during synchronization, requiring careful handling
Code Examples
- Creating a new database and adding a document:
const db = new PouchDB('mydb');
db.put({
_id: 'mydoc',
title: 'Hello PouchDB',
content: 'This is my first document'
}).then(function (response) {
console.log('Document created successfully');
}).catch(function (err) {
console.log(err);
});
- Querying documents:
db.find({
selector: {
title: 'Hello PouchDB'
}
}).then(function (result) {
console.log(result.docs);
}).catch(function (err) {
console.log(err);
});
- Syncing with a remote CouchDB instance:
const localDB = new PouchDB('mydb');
const remoteDB = new PouchDB('http://example.com/mydb');
localDB.sync(remoteDB, {
live: true,
retry: true
}).on('change', function (change) {
console.log('Data changed:', change);
}).on('error', function (err) {
console.log('Sync error:', err);
});
Getting Started
To get started with PouchDB, follow these steps:
-
Install PouchDB using npm:
npm install pouchdb
-
In your JavaScript file, import and create a new PouchDB instance:
import PouchDB from 'pouchdb'; const db = new PouchDB('mydb');
-
Start using PouchDB methods to interact with your database:
db.put({ _id: 'mydoc', title: 'My First Document' }).then(function (response) { console.log('Document created successfully'); }).catch(function (err) { console.log(err); });
For more detailed information and advanced usage, refer to the official PouchDB documentation.
Competitor Comparisons
Seamless multi-master syncing database with an intuitive HTTP/JSON API, designed for reliability
Pros of CouchDB
- Robust server-side database with full ACID compliance
- Supports multi-master replication for high availability
- Offers a RESTful HTTP/JSON API for easy integration
Cons of CouchDB
- Requires server setup and maintenance
- Higher resource consumption compared to client-side solutions
- Steeper learning curve for configuration and administration
Code Comparison
PouchDB (JavaScript):
const db = new PouchDB('mydb');
db.put({
_id: 'doc1',
title: 'Hello PouchDB'
}).then(function (response) {
// Handle response
}).catch(function (err) {
console.log(err);
});
CouchDB (HTTP API):
PUT /mydb/doc1 HTTP/1.1
Host: localhost:5984
Content-Type: application/json
{
"title": "Hello CouchDB"
}
PouchDB is a JavaScript library that brings CouchDB's sync capabilities to the browser, while CouchDB is a full-fledged server-side database. PouchDB excels in offline-first applications and client-side data storage, whereas CouchDB is better suited for scalable, distributed server environments. Both use similar concepts and can sync data, making them complementary in many scenarios.
Realm is a mobile database: an alternative to SQLite & key-value stores
Pros of Realm
- Native performance with direct object persistence
- Built-in synchronization and real-time collaboration features
- Strong typing and object-oriented data model
Cons of Realm
- Steeper learning curve for developers new to mobile databases
- Less flexibility in query language compared to PouchDB
- Limited support for web applications
Code Comparison
PouchDB example:
const db = new PouchDB('mydb');
db.put({
_id: 'dave@gmail.com',
name: 'David',
age: 69
});
Realm example:
const Realm = require('realm');
const UserSchema = {
name: 'User',
properties: {
email: 'string',
name: 'string',
age: 'int'
}
};
const realm = await Realm.open({schema: [UserSchema]});
realm.write(() => {
realm.create('User', {email: 'dave@gmail.com', name: 'David', age: 69});
});
PouchDB is a JavaScript database that syncs with CouchDB and runs well in the browser. It's ideal for web applications and offers a flexible query language. Realm is a mobile-first database that provides excellent performance for native mobile apps. It offers strong typing and a more structured approach to data modeling.
While PouchDB excels in web environments and offers easy CouchDB synchronization, Realm shines in mobile development with its speed and built-in real-time features. The choice between them often depends on the specific requirements of the project and the target platforms.
Simple and fast JSON database
Pros of lowdb
- Lightweight and simple to use, with a smaller learning curve
- Supports in-memory storage, making it faster for small datasets
- Easy to set up and integrate into small to medium-sized projects
Cons of lowdb
- Limited scalability for large datasets or complex querying needs
- Lacks built-in synchronization capabilities
- Not suitable for multi-user, concurrent access scenarios
Code Comparison
lowdb:
const low = require('lowdb')
const FileSync = require('lowdb/adapters/FileSync')
const adapter = new FileSync('db.json')
const db = low(adapter)
db.defaults({ posts: [] }).write()
PouchDB:
const PouchDB = require('pouchdb')
const db = new PouchDB('mydb')
db.put({
_id: 'mydoc',
title: 'Hello PouchDB!'
}).then(function (response) {
// handle response
}).catch(function (err) {
console.log(err)
})
lowdb is more straightforward for simple operations, while PouchDB offers more robust features for complex data management and synchronization needs.
The JavaScript Database, for Node.js, nw.js, electron and the browser
Pros of NeDB
- Lightweight and easy to set up, with no external dependencies
- In-memory storage option for faster performance
- Simpler API, making it easier to learn and use for small projects
Cons of NeDB
- Limited scalability compared to PouchDB
- Lacks built-in synchronization capabilities
- Less active development and community support
Code Comparison
NeDB:
const Datastore = require('nedb');
const db = new Datastore({ filename: 'path/to/datafile', autoload: true });
db.insert({ name: 'John', age: 30 }, (err, newDoc) => {
// Handle insertion
});
PouchDB:
const PouchDB = require('pouchdb');
const db = new PouchDB('mydb');
db.put({ _id: 'john', name: 'John', age: 30 })
.then((response) => {
// Handle insertion
})
.catch((err) => {
// Handle error
});
Summary
NeDB is a lightweight, easy-to-use database solution ideal for small projects and quick prototyping. It offers in-memory storage and a simple API. However, it lacks the scalability and synchronization features of PouchDB. PouchDB, on the other hand, provides robust synchronization capabilities and better scalability, making it more suitable for larger applications and projects requiring data replication across multiple devices or servers. The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of your project, such as size, complexity, and synchronization needs.
A fast, local first, reactive Database for JavaScript Applications https://rxdb.info/
Pros of RxDB
- Built-in real-time capabilities with RxJS observables
- Supports multiple database adapters (IndexedDB, WebSQL, LokiJS, etc.)
- Advanced query system with mango-query support
Cons of RxDB
- Steeper learning curve, especially for developers unfamiliar with RxJS
- Smaller community and ecosystem compared to PouchDB
Code Comparison
RxDB:
const db = await createRxDatabase({
name: 'mydb',
adapter: 'idb'
});
const collection = await db.addCollections({
users: {
schema: mySchema
}
});
const subscription = collection.users.find().$.subscribe(users => {
console.log('Users changed:', users);
});
PouchDB:
const db = new PouchDB('mydb');
db.put({
_id: 'user1',
name: 'John'
}).then(function (response) {
// Handle response
}).catch(function (err) {
console.log(err);
});
db.changes({
since: 'now',
live: true
}).on('change', function(change) {
console.log('Change:', change);
});
Both databases offer offline-first capabilities and synchronization features. RxDB provides a more reactive approach with built-in observables, while PouchDB offers a simpler API and broader compatibility. The choice between them depends on specific project requirements and developer preferences.
💾 Offline storage, improved. Wraps IndexedDB, WebSQL, or localStorage using a simple but powerful API.
Pros of localForage
- Simpler API and easier to use for basic key-value storage
- Supports more storage backends (IndexedDB, WebSQL, and localStorage)
- Smaller file size and faster initial load time
Cons of localForage
- Lacks advanced features like synchronization and replication
- No built-in support for complex querying or indexing
- Limited document-oriented database functionality
Code Comparison
localForage:
localforage.setItem('key', 'value').then(function() {
return localforage.getItem('key');
}).then(function(value) {
console.log(value);
});
PouchDB:
var db = new PouchDB('mydb');
db.put({
_id: 'mydoc',
title: 'Heroes'
}).then(function () {
return db.get('mydoc');
}).then(function (doc) {
console.log(doc);
});
PouchDB offers a more document-oriented approach with features like _id
and document versioning, while localForage provides a simpler key-value storage API. PouchDB is better suited for complex data structures and synchronization needs, whereas localForage is ideal for straightforward client-side storage requirements with broad browser support.
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PouchDB â The Database that Syncs!
PouchDB is an open-source JavaScript database inspired by Apache CouchDB that is designed to run well within the browser.
PouchDB was created to help web developers build applications that work as well offline as they do online.
Using PouchDB
To get started using PouchDB, check out the web site and API documentation.
Getting Help
The PouchDB community is active in #pouchdb
on the CouchDB Slack, in the Google Groups mailing list, and on StackOverflow. Or you can mastodon @pouchdb!
If you think you've found a bug in PouchDB, please write a reproducible test case and file a Github issue.
Prerelease builds
If you like to live on the bleeding edge, you can build PouchDB from source using these steps:
git clone https://github.com/pouchdb/pouchdb.git
cd pouchdb
npm install
After running these steps, the browser build can be found in packages/node_modules/pouchdb/dist/pouchdb.js
.
Changelog
PouchDB follows semantic versioning. To see a changelog with all PouchDB releases, check out the Github releases page.
For a concise list of breaking changes, there's the wiki list of breaking changes.
Keep in mind that PouchDB is auto-migrating, so a database created in 1.0.0 will still work if you open it in 4.0.0+. Any release containing a migration is clearly marked in the release notes.
Contributing
We're always looking for new contributors! If you'd like to try your hand at writing code, writing documentation, designing the website, writing a blog post, or answering questions on StackOverflow, then we'd love to have your input.
If you have a pull request that you'd like to submit, please read the contributing guide for info on style, commit message format, and other (slightly!) nitpicky things like that. PouchDB is heavily tested, so you'll also want to check out the testing guide.
Top Related Projects
Seamless multi-master syncing database with an intuitive HTTP/JSON API, designed for reliability
Realm is a mobile database: an alternative to SQLite & key-value stores
Simple and fast JSON database
The JavaScript Database, for Node.js, nw.js, electron and the browser
A fast, local first, reactive Database for JavaScript Applications https://rxdb.info/
💾 Offline storage, improved. Wraps IndexedDB, WebSQL, or localStorage using a simple but powerful API.
Convert
designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot