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

3 pointsforgetcolor13y ago3 comments

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

debergalis13y ago

[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.

bmelton13y ago

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.

sdrinf13y ago

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.

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