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Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative that provides a suite of tools for building scalable applications without the need to write a backend. It leverages PostgreSQL for real-time databases, offers authentication, and file storage capabilities. Supabase aims to democratize backend development by providing a modern, scalable, and open-source platform.
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Supabase: The Open Source Firebase Alternative

Table of Contents

Introduction

Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative that provides a suite of tools for building scalable applications without the need to write a backend. It leverages PostgreSQL for real-time databases, offers authentication, and file storage capabilities. Supabase aims to democratize backend development by providing a modern, scalable, and open-source platform.

Setup

Prerequisites

  • Node.js installed on your computer.
  • A web browser.
  • A text editor or IDE like VSCode.

Steps

  1. Sign Up for Supabase

    • Visit Supabase and sign up for a free account.
    • Once logged in, create a new project.

  2. Create a New Project

    • In the Supabase dashboard, click on “New Project”.
    • Provide a name for your project, choose a database password, and select a region.

Supabase Dashboard - Create New Project

  1. Configure Your Database
    • After creating the project, you’ll be directed to the project’s overview page.
    • Note down the API URL and the API key, as you’ll need these for your frontend application.

Tutorial with an Example Project

Example Project: Todo List Application

In this tutorial, we’ll build a simple Todo List application using Supabase and React.

Steps

  1. Initialize a React Application

    • Open your terminal and run the following command to create a new React application:

      npx create-react-app supabase-todo
cd supabase-todo

  2. Install Supabase Client

    • Inside your React project directory, install the Supabase client:

      npm install @supabase/supabase-js

  3. Set Up Supabase Client

    • Create a new file named supabaseClient.js in the src directory and add the following code:

      import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';

const supabaseUrl = 'https://your-supabase-url.supabase.co';
const supabaseKey = 'your-anon-key';

export const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey);

  4. Create a Database Table

    • In the Supabase dashboard, go to the SQL editor and run the following SQL to create a todos table:

      create table todos (
  id bigint generated by default as identity primary key,
  task text not null,
  is_complete boolean default false
);

  5. Fetch Todos from Supabase

    • In your App.js file, import Supabase and fetch the todos:

      import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import { supabase } from './supabaseClient';

function App() {
  const [todos, setTodos] = useState([]);

  useEffect(() => {
    fetchTodos();
  }, []);

  const fetchTodos = async () => {
    let { data: todos, error } = await supabase
      .from('todos')
      .select('*');
    if (error) console.log('Error:', error);
    else setTodos(todos);
  };

  return (
    <div className="App">
      <h1>Todo List</h1>
      <ul>
        {todos.map(todo => (
          <li key={todo.id}>{todo.task}</li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

  6. Add a New Todo

    • Add a form to your App.js to allow adding new todos:

      function App() {
  const [todos, setTodos] = useState([]);
  const [task, setTask] = useState('');

  useEffect(() => {
    fetchTodos();
  }, []);

  const fetchTodos = async () => {
    let { data: todos, error } = await supabase
      .from('todos')
      .select('*');
    if (error) console.log('Error:', error);
    else setTodos(todos);
  };

  const addTodo = async (task) => {
    let { data: todo, error } = await supabase
      .from('todos')
      .insert([{ task }]);
    if (error) console.log('Error:', error);
    else fetchTodos();
  };

  return (
    <div className="App">
      <h1>Todo List</h1>
      <form onSubmit={(e) => {
        e.preventDefault();
        addTodo(task);
        setTask('');
      }}>
        <input
          type="text"
          value={task}
          onChange={(e) => setTask(e.target.value)}
          placeholder="Add a new task"
        />
        <button type="submit">Add</button>
      </form>
      <ul>
        {todos.map(todo => (
          <li key={todo.id}>{todo.task}</li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

Supabase Todo List App

Supabase offers various features including:

  • Real-Time Database: Based on PostgreSQL with real-time capabilities.
  • Authentication: Support for multiple authentication methods.
  • File Storage: Secure storage for large files.
  • API Generation: Automatic RESTful API generation.

For more detailed information and guides, visit the Supabase documentation.

List of Projects to Do Using Supabase

  • Chat Application: Real-time messaging with user authentication.
  • E-commerce Platform: Product listings, user accounts, and real-time inventory management.
  • Project Management Tool: Collaborative project management with real-time updates.
  • Social Media App: User profiles, posts, and comments with real-time interactions.

List of Projects That Use Supabase

Making the Best of Supabase

  • Utilize Real-Time Features: Leverage real-time capabilities for interactive applications.
  • Secure Authentication: Implement robust user authentication and authorization workflows.
  • Explore Supabase Community: Engage with the community for support, ideas, and collaboration.
  • Stay Updated: Keep an eye on new features and updates from the Supabase team.

Conclusion

Supabase is a powerful and open-source alternative to Firebase, offering real-time databases, authentication, and file storage with the robustness of PostgreSQL. Its ease of integration, scalability, and cost-effective pricing make it an excellent choice for modern application development.

By following this guide, you can quickly get started with Supabase and build a variety of applications efficiently. Explore the Supabase ecosystem and leverage its capabilities to create innovative and responsive applications.

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