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Ask HN: Firebase SDK with PostgreSQL in the back end (is there a need)

1 points by taway1982345 5y ago

I've built a proof of concept where it's possible to take an application build with Firebase (Firestore specifically) and only by changing the "host" parameter in it's configuration, have it interact (read/write) with your own PostgreSQL instance. It can be deployed as a single docker container on your own infrastructure (which can still be serverless with things like Fargate). Would something like this be interesting/useful to you? I am trying to see if there are potential users that have started with firebase but have hit limitation (technical or pricing) and need a way to migrate without rewriting the entire UI (or maybe they like the sdk and want to keep it even if the UI rewrite is not painful)

tarun_anand 5y ago
Have you looked at Supabase? They claim to be a replacement for Firebase with pgsql as a store
- taway1982345 5y ago
  yes but it's not the same thing. you need to rewrite your entire frontend with their sdk
  - kiwicopple 5y ago
    Disclosure: supabase cofounder You're correct, it's not a 100% compatible API (and the database is postgres). I just want to clarify for any other readers though - you don't have to use our sdk/api to interact with the database. We give full postgres-level access with a connection pooler (pgbouncer) if you prefer to roll-your-own @taway1982345 - in response to your original question: I think there is definitely a need for this, you should be able to find customers for this relatively easily. Generally a NoSQL schema design doesn't map very well to a relational schema, but something like this would be very useful for migrating away. If you plan to open source this or you just want to chat, feel free to reach out - we can provide some sponsorship or generally share knowledge based on our conversations with customers. My contact details are in my profile.
    - tarun_anand 5y ago
      If they dont use your SDK/API - what would be the use cases?
      - kiwicopple 5y ago
        Postgres + pgbouncer.
enonevets 5y ago
I would be interested in taking a look

1 points by taway1982345 5y ago

tarun_anand 5y ago

Have you looked at Supabase? They claim to be a replacement for Firebase with pgsql as a store

taway1982345 5y ago
yes but it's not the same thing. you need to rewrite your entire frontend with their sdk
- kiwicopple 5y ago
  Disclosure: supabase cofounder You're correct, it's not a 100% compatible API (and the database is postgres). I just want to clarify for any other readers though - you don't have to use our sdk/api to interact with the database. We give full postgres-level access with a connection pooler (pgbouncer) if you prefer to roll-your-own @taway1982345 - in response to your original question: I think there is definitely a need for this, you should be able to find customers for this relatively easily. Generally a NoSQL schema design doesn't map very well to a relational schema, but something like this would be very useful for migrating away. If you plan to open source this or you just want to chat, feel free to reach out - we can provide some sponsorship or generally share knowledge based on our conversations with customers. My contact details are in my profile.
  - tarun_anand 5y ago
    If they dont use your SDK/API - what would be the use cases?
    - kiwicopple 5y ago
      Postgres + pgbouncer.

enonevets 5y ago

I would be interested in taking a look