Starter Template

Hey there! In this guide, we'll explore the basics of building a backend using Xano's no-code platform. We'll cover setting up a database, creating APIs, implementing authentication, and more. Let's dive in!

Setting Up the Database

The first step in building your backend is setting up the database. In Xano, you can create tables to store your application's data.

1. Create Tables: Start by creating the necessary tables for your application. For example, you might have a `users` table to store user information and a `content` table to store user-generated content.
2. Define Table Structure: For each table, define the columns (fields) you need. In the example starter template, the `users` table has fields like `name`, `email`, `magic_link` (for authentication), and `role`.
3. Set Up Relationships: If your tables are related, you can define relationships between them. In the starter template, the `content` table has a reference to the `user` table, indicating which user created a particular piece of content.
4. Add Dummy Data: To test your setup, you can add some dummy data to your tables.

Creating APIs

With your database set up, you can now create APIs to interact with your data. Xano provides a no-code API builder that allows you to define API endpoints visually.

1. Create API Groups: Organize your API endpoints into groups based on their functionality or use case. In the starter template, there's an "API Group" called "Starter Template."
2. Define Endpoints: Within each group, define the necessary endpoints. The starter template includes endpoints for authentication, data retrieval, conditional logic, and more.
3. Configure Endpoint Logic: For each endpoint, you can define the logic using a visual function stack. This includes querying the database, applying filters, handling authentication, and more.
4. Test Endpoints: Use the built-in debugger to test your endpoints and ensure they're working as expected.

Implementing Authentication

Authentication is a crucial aspect of most applications. Xano provides several authentication methods out of the box, including basic auth (username/password) and magic link authentication.

1. Basic Authentication: The starter template includes endpoints for signing up, logging in, and retrieving user information using basic authentication.
2. Magic Link Authentication: This authentication method allows users to log in without a password. Users provide their email address, and a "magic link" is sent to their inbox. Clicking the link logs them in securely.
3. Password Reset: The starter template also includes a password reset flow that leverages the magic link functionality.
4. Role-Based Access Control: You can implement role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict certain functionality based on a user's role (e.g., admin, regular user).

Additional Features

Xano provides several other powerful features that you can explore and incorporate into your backend:

1. Add-Ons: Add-ons allow you to extend the data returned by an API endpoint with related data from other tables. This is similar to GraphQL's ability to fetch nested data in a single request.
2. Conditional Logic: You can implement conditional logic (if-else statements) within your API endpoints to handle different scenarios.
3. Loops: Loops allow you to iterate over lists or arrays of data, enabling you to perform operations on each item.
4. File Uploads: Xano supports uploading files (images, videos, documents) to your backend via API endpoints.
5. Custom Functions: You can create reusable custom functions to encapsulate complex logic and use them across multiple endpoints.

Throughout this guide, we've covered the key concepts demonstrated in the starter template video. Remember, this is just the beginning – Xano provides a vast array of features and capabilities to help you build powerful, scalable backends without writing code.

For more in-depth tutorials, check out the Xano documentation, YouTube channel, and marketplace. Happy building!