Persisting Data Grid Information
Persisting the data grid information with PHP and PostgresSQL for seamless database integration.
Published at 21/09/2023
Introduction
Jspreadsheet is a lightweight JavaScript library that enables users to embed data grids with spreadsheet-like controls into their web applications. With features reminiscent of popular spreadsheet software, it allows effortless data management and enhances the usability of any web-based software.
This guide will show you how to integrate Jspreadsheet with a PostgreSQL database using a PHP container in Docker. If you are interested in this project, you can find the source code example on our GitHub at: jss-database-integration.
Pre-requisites
- Docker installed on your local machine.
- Basic knowledge of Docker, PostgreSQL, and PHP.
Step-by-step Guide
Follow these steps to integrate Jspreadsheet with a PostgreSQL database using Docker containers. Each step is designed to guide you through the process of setting up the environment, installing dependencies, and configuring the database connection.
Step 1: Set Up the Project Locally
Start by downloading the project to your local machine. This project will contain essential configurations and files to facilitate the integration.
Step 2: Start the Docker Containers
Navigate to the root folder of the downloaded project and execute: docker-compose up. This command will initiate the containers specified in the docker-compose.yml file. It will include containers for PHP and PostgreSQL.
Step 3: Access the PHP Container
In another terminal window, while positioned in the root folder of the project, run: docker-compose exec php bash. This command allows you to access the shell of the PHP container.
Step 4: Install Dependencies
Within the PHP container terminal, execute: composer install. These dependencies will likely include packages that enable PHP to communicate with PostgreSQL, among other requirements.
Step 5: Access PostgreSQL
Now, it's time to set up our database. In another terminal window, run: docker-compose exec postgresql bash. This command provides access to the shell of the PostgreSQL container.
Step 6: Define Your Tables
Before we can persist our spreadsheet data to the database, we must define the tables that will store this data. Modify the public/index.php file, writing the appropriate SQL commands and PHP code to synchronize Jspreadsheet with a specific table in PostgreSQL.
Step 7: Launch the Application
Now, open your web browser and navigate to: http://localhost:8081. Here, you'll see the Jspreadsheet in action, and any changes made will be persisted in the PostgreSQL database.
Summary
Integrating Jspreadsheet with a PostgreSQL database can be streamlined using Docker, as demonstrated in the steps above. This approach provides a reliable way of managing and storing data from spreadsheets in a relational database. As a result, web applications can benefit from the ease of data manipulation offered by spreadsheets while ensuring the robustness and security of a PostgreSQL database backend.