Xano - Database Best Practices: Part 2 - Arrays

Arrays are a powerful feature in Xano that allow you to store flexible lists of data within your database tables. In this article, we'll dive into the world of arrays, exploring what they are, when to use them, and best practices to follow. Whether you're a no-code enthusiast, a citizen developer, or an experienced coder, this guide will help you harness the full potential of arrays in your Xano applications.

Understanding Arrays

Arrays are flexible data structures that can store multiple values of the same or different data types. In Xano, you can create arrays of scalar values (such as integers or text) or arrays of objects, which can contain multiple fields with different data types.

To illustrate arrays, let's consider a blogging platform where multiple authors can contribute to a single blog post. Instead of creating multiple columns to store author IDs, you can use an array to store a list of author IDs for each blog post.

Creating Arrays in Xano

To create an array in Xano, follow these simple steps:

1. Navigate to the table where you want to add an array column.
2. Click the "+" button to create a new column.
3. Select the appropriate data type (e.g., "Text" for an array of author IDs).
4. Change the column structure from "Single" to "List" to make it an array.
5. Click "Save" to apply the changes.

Once you've created an array column, you can click on the brackets `[ ]` to add or edit the array values.

Arrays of Objects

While arrays of scalar values are useful, arrays of objects provide even more flexibility. Objects allow you to store multiple fields with different data types within a single array element.

To create an array of objects in Xano:

1. Follow the steps above to create a new column with the "List" structure.
2. Change the column data type to "Object."
3. Click the column to open the object schema editor.
4. Add fields to the object schema by specifying the field name and data type.
5. Click "Save" to apply the changes.

Now, you can add and edit objects within the array, each containing multiple fields with different data types.

Best Practices for Using Arrays

While arrays are incredibly powerful, it's essential to follow best practices to ensure data integrity and maintainability:

1. Use arrays of objects whenever possible: Objects provide flexibility to add or modify fields without restructuring your data. This is especially useful when your data requirements may change over time.
2. Separate primary and secondary data: If your data has a primary or unique identifier (e.g., a primary author for a blog post), consider storing it in a separate column rather than within the array. This separation ensures data accuracy and prevents potential errors.
3. Optimize for storage efficiency: If storage size is critical for your application, and you don't anticipate needing to add more fields to your array elements, consider using arrays of scalar values instead of objects. This can help optimize storage efficiency.
4. Follow third-party data modeling: If you're integrating with third-party data sources that use arrays of scalar values, consider following their data modeling approach to ensure compatibility.

By following these best practices, you'll ensure that your Xano applications are built on a solid foundation, making it easier to maintain and scale your projects over time.

Whether you're a no-code enthusiast, a citizen developer, or an experienced developer, mastering arrays in Xano will unlock new possibilities for building powerful and flexible applications. So, start exploring and leveraging the power of arrays in your next Xano project today!