Setting Up the Database from Scratch

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 147 views

Introduction

Sourcify is a powerful tool for managing and analyzing data, but setting up its database backend can be a daunting task, especially for those unfamiliar with Postgres. In this review, we will delve into the current documentation and provide suggestions for improvement to make the setup process smoother and more user-friendly.

Current Documentation

The current documentation for setting up the Sourcify database backend is limited, leaving users to figure out the process on their own. While the documentation provides a general overview of the setup process, it lacks specific details and steps, making it difficult for users to complete the setup successfully.

Setting Up the Database from Scratch

To set up the Sourcify database backend from scratch, users need to follow these general steps:

Create a new Postgres user: This user will be responsible for managing the database.
Create a new database: This database will store the Sourcify data.
Change the authentication for the public schema: This step is crucial, as it allows the user to access the public schema.

However, the current documentation does not provide detailed instructions for these steps, leaving users to search for additional resources or seek help from the community.

Modifying the Migrations

One potential solution to improve the setup process is to modify the migrations to set up the database and user automatically. This would eliminate the need for users to manually create the user, database, and change the authentication for the public schema.

Benefits of Modifying the Migrations

Modifying the migrations to set up the database and user automatically would provide several benefits, including:

Simplified setup process: Users would no longer need to manually create the user, database, and change the authentication for the public schema.
Reduced errors: By automating the setup process, users would be less likely to encounter errors and issues.
Improved user experience: Users would be able to set up the database backend quickly and easily, without needing to search for additional resources or seek help from the community.

Proposed Changes to the Documentation

To improve the setup process and user experience, we propose the following changes to the documentation:

Add detailed instructions for creating a new Postgres user: Provide step-by-step instructions for creating a new Postgres user, including the necessary commands and settings.
Add detailed instructions for creating a new database: Provide step-by-step instructions for creating a new database, including the necessary commands and settings.
Add detailed instructions for changing the authentication for the public schema: Provide step-by-step instructions for changing the authentication for the public schema, including the necessary commands and settings.
Modify the migrations to set up the database and user automatically: Update the migrations to set up the database and user automatically, eliminating the need for users to manually create the user, database, and change the authentication for the public schema.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up the Sourcify database backend can be a challenging task, especially for those unfamiliar with Postgres. By modifying the migrations to set up the database and user automatically and adding detailed instructions to the documentation, we can improve the setup process and user experience. By following these proposed changes, users will be able to set up the database backend quickly and easily, without needing to search for additional resources or seek help from the community.

Future Development

In the future, we plan to continue improving the setup process and user experience by:

Providing additional resources and tutorials: Create additional resources and tutorials to help users set up the database backend and use the Sourcify tool.
Improving the documentation: Continuously update and improve the documentation to ensure that it is accurate, comprehensive, and easy to follow.
Enhancing the user interface: Update the user interface to make it more intuitive and user-friendly, reducing the need for users to search for additional resources or seek help from the community.

Recommendations

Based on our review of the current documentation and proposed changes, we recommend the following:

Modify the migrations to set up the database and user automatically: Update the migrations to set up the database and user automatically, eliminating the need for users to manually create the user, database, and change the authentication for the public schema.
Add detailed instructions to the documentation: Provide step-by-step instructions for creating a new Postgres user, creating a new database, and changing the authentication for the public schema.
Provide additional resources and tutorials: Create additional resources and tutorials to help users set up the database backend and use the Sourcify tool.

Introduction

In our previous article, we reviewed the current documentation for setting up the Sourcify database backend and proposed changes to improve the setup process and user experience. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to setting up the database backend.

Q: What is the recommended way to set up the database backend?

A: The recommended way to set up the database backend is to use the modified migrations that set up the database and user automatically. This will eliminate the need for users to manually create the user, database, and change the authentication for the public schema.

Q: How do I create a new Postgres user?

A: To create a new Postgres user, follow these steps:

Connect to the Postgres database: Use the psql command to connect to the Postgres database.
Create a new user: Use the CREATE ROLE command to create a new user. For example: CREATE ROLE sourcify_user WITH PASSWORD 'sourcify_password';
Grant privileges: Use the GRANT command to grant privileges to the new user. For example: GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE sourcify TO sourcify_user;

Q: How do I create a new database?

A: To create a new database, follow these steps:

Connect to the Postgres database: Use the psql command to connect to the Postgres database.
Create a new database: Use the CREATE DATABASE command to create a new database. For example: CREATE DATABASE sourcify WITH OWNER sourcify_user;
Grant privileges: Use the GRANT command to grant privileges to the new database. For example: GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE sourcify TO sourcify_user;

Q: How do I change the authentication for the public schema?

A: To change the authentication for the public schema, follow these steps:

Connect to the Postgres database: Use the psql command to connect to the Postgres database.
Alter the public schema: Use the ALTER SCHEMA command to alter the public schema. For example: ALTER SCHEMA public OWNER TO sourcify_user;

Q: What are the benefits of modifying the migrations to set up the database and user automatically?

A: The benefits of modifying the migrations to set up the database and user automatically include:

Simplified setup process: Users will no longer need to manually create the user, database, and change the authentication for the public schema.
Reduced errors: By automating the setup process, users will be less likely to encounter errors and issues.
Improved user experience: Users will be able to set up the database backend quickly and easily, without needing to search for additional resources or seek help from the community.

Q: How can I get help with setting up the database backend?

A: If you need help with setting up the database backend, you can:

Check the documentation: Review the documentation for setting up the database backend.
Search online resources: Search online resources, such as forums and blogs, for additional information and guidance.
Contact the community: Reach out to the Sourcify community for help and support.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up the Sourcify database backend can be a challenging task, but with the right guidance and resources, it can be done successfully. By following the recommended steps and using the modified migrations, users can set up the database backend quickly and easily. If you have any further questions or need help with setting up the database backend, don't hesitate to reach out to the community for support.