How to create a CRUD API with Xano

Creating a CRUD API (Create, Read, Update, Delete) can sound intimidating, especially if you're not a seasoned developer. But with Xano, you can build a robust backend without writing a single line of code. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Sign Up and Set Up Your Workspace

First things first, head over to Xano's website and sign up for an account. Once you're in, you'll want to create a new workspace. This workspace will be your hub for managing your data and APIs.

1. Log in to Xano.
2. Click on "Create New Workspace."
3. Give your workspace a name and click "Create."

Boom! Your workspace is ready.

Step 2: Define Your Database Schema

Before diving into APIs, you need to set up your database. This means defining the tables we'll be working with.

1. Go to the "Database" tab in your workspace.
2. Click on "Create New Table."
3. Name your table (e.g., "Users") and define its fields (columns).

For instance, you might want to create a "Users" table with the following fields:

• id (auto-incrementing primary key)
• name (string)
• email (string)
• created_at (timestamp)

Add each field, specify the data type, and save your table.

Step 3: Create Your API Endpoints

Now comes the exciting part – creating your API endpoints.

1. Go to the "API" tab.
2. Click "Add API Group" and give it a name (e.g., "UsersAPI").
3. Click "Add Endpoint" and you'll have options like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.

Here’s a quick rundown on setting up each endpoint for CRUD operations:

Create (POST)

• Endpoint: POST /users
• Function: Add a new user.

To set this up:

1. Choose the POST method.
2. Config the "Inputs" to accept name and email.
3. Under "Database," choose the "Insert" operation for the "Users" table.

Read (GET)

• Endpoint: GET /users
• Function: Retrieve a list of users or a single user.

To set this up:

1. Choose the GET method.
2. If you want to fetch all users, simply connect it to the "Select" operation for the "Users" table.

Update (PUT)

• Endpoint: PUT /users/id
• Function: Update user information.

To set this up:

1. Choose the PUT method and add id to the URL.
2. Config the "Inputs" to accept name and/or email.
3. Connect to the "Update" operation for the "Users" table, using the path variable id.

Delete (DELETE)

• Endpoint: DELETE /users/id
• Function: Delete a user.

To set this up:

1. Choose the DELETE method and add id to the URL.
2. Connect to the "Delete" operation for the "Users" table, using the path variable id.

Step 4: Testing Your API

Now that you have all your endpoints set up, it's time to test them out. Xano provides a built-in API testing tool.

1. Go to your API group.
2. Select the endpoint you want to test.
3. Fill in any required parameters and click "Run."

You should see the response from your endpoint, either in JSON or as an error (which you can debug).

Step 5: Integrate with Your Frontend

You're all set on the backend! Now, you can use these endpoints in your frontend applications. Whether you're creating a mobile app or a web app, you can call these endpoints to manage your data efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Xano makes creating a CRUD API a breeze. By following these steps, you can set up a complete backend for your application in minutes. No more worrying about server management, complex configurations, or writing boilerplate code. Just focus on building amazing apps!