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Ask HN: Useful Frameworks/Approaches for Simple Number-Tracking Webapp?

3 points by forgetcolor ↗ HN
I need to a build a webapp that allows any number of web-based clients (on smartphones) to increment/decrement a number. Each client's current number should be stored on a server so another app can read the list of current numbers and visualize the results in real time.

I haven't done much in the webapp space so am looking for tech suggestions on ways to about this.

I figure I could certainly do PHP/MySQL, but I want an ajax feel to the app (no page reloads). I've noticed options like Firebase/Meteor/Derby and am wondering if that might be a good way to go---avoid the DB all together. Are there other options I should be looking at?

Thanks for any help.

3 comments

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sdrinf
Ajax feel is client-side, and have no implications on how the actual storage is implemented (server-side).

With specification only given the above, I'm sceptical on whether you'd need a database in the first place -you can eg. write directly to a file without any hassle.

debergalis
[meteor dev] Meteor + Mongo may be a good choice for you. The leaderboard example at http://www.meteor.com/examples/leaderboard already has a lot of what you need. The trick is figuring out how to identify each client: whether you have users log in or just assign a unique ID to each client.
bmelton
Seconding Matt's suggestion of Meteor. I haven't played with it very much since it first came out, but even at its very earliest versions (from which it has progressed amazingly) I would have suggested it as a perfect fit.

It doesn't "bypass the database" like the GP asked for, but then neither does Firebase really, as it just moves it to the cloud.