Basic Likes and Follows - Database and API set up

Hey there! In this guide, we'll explore how to build a system for tracking likes and follows in a social network application using Xano's no-code platform. Whether you're creating a platform for sharing products, content, or connecting with others, handling user interactions like likes and follows is a common requirement. Let's dive in!

Step 1: Creating a Transactional Table

The first step is to create a transactional table that keeps track of the likes or follows. This table will store the relationships between users and the items they interact with (e.g., products, posts, profiles).

1. In your Xano project, navigate to the `Data` tab and create a new table. Let's call it `Likes`.
2. Add two columns to the `Likes` table:

• `userId`: This column will store the user ID of the person who liked or followed the item.
• `itemId`: This column will store the ID of the item being liked or followed (e.g., a product ID or a post ID).

1. Optionally, you can add additional columns to store metadata, such as the timestamp of the interaction or the type of interaction (like or follow).

Step 2: Building the API Endpoint

Now that we have the `Likes` table set up, let's create an API endpoint that will handle recording likes or follows.

1. Navigate to the `API` tab and create a new API endpoint. Let's call it `likeProduct`.
2. In the `Inputs` section, add two input fields:

• `userId` (Integer): This will be the user ID of the person liking the product.
• `productId` (Integer): This will be the ID of the product being liked.

1. In the `Function Stack`, we'll perform the following steps:

• Query the `Likes` table to check if the user has already liked the product.
• If the like relationship doesn't exist, add a new record to the `Likes` table.

1. Start by adding a `Query All Records` function and selecting the `Likes` table.
2. Add a `Custom Query` condition to filter the results based on the `userId` and `productId` inputs.
3. Change the output to return a `Single Record` instead of a list.
4. Add a `Conditional` function that checks if the query result is `null` (meaning no record was found).
5. If the condition is true (no record found), add an `Add Record` function to insert a new record into the `Likes` table with the `userId`, `productId`, and the current timestamp.

Step 3: Testing the API Endpoint

Now that you've built the API endpoint, let's test it to ensure it's working correctly.

1. In your Xano project, navigate to the `API` tab and locate the `likeProduct` endpoint you created.
2. Click the `Run` button and enter the `userId` and `productId` values for a new like interaction.
3. Check the `Likes` table to verify that a new record has been added.

Congratulations! You've successfully built a system for handling likes and follows in your social network application using Xano's no-code platform. You can now integrate this functionality into your web or mobile app, allowing users to interact with products, posts, or other items seamlessly.

Remember, this is just one way to implement likes and follows. Depending on your specific requirements, you may need to adjust the data model or add additional functionality, such as handling unlikes or unfollows.