Databases

Elixir Ecto

Using Ecto

Elixir Ecto provides database queries with typed schemas.

Introduction to Elixir Ecto

Ecto is a domain-specific language for writing queries and interacting with databases in Elixir. It allows developers to define schemas that map to database tables and provides a comprehensive set of tools to query, insert, update, and delete records.

Ecto is not an ORM but rather a data mapper that allows you to work with your database in a more structured way. This post will guide you through the basics of using Ecto with examples.

Setting Up Ecto

To get started with Ecto, you'll need to add the Ecto and a database adapter (such as Postgrex for PostgreSQL) to your Elixir project. You can do this by including them in your mix.exs file.

After adding the dependencies, run mix deps.get to install them. Then, create a repository module that uses the Ecto.Repo module:

Defining Schemas with Ecto

Schemas in Ecto are used to map database tables to Elixir structs. You define a schema with the Ecto.Schema module, specifying fields and their types.

Here's how you can define a schema for a users table.

Performing Database Operations

Once you've defined a schema, you can perform various database operations such as inserting, updating, and querying records. Ecto provides a range of functions to work with your data.

Here's an example of inserting a new user into the database:

Querying the Database

Querying the database with Ecto is both powerful and flexible. You can use the Ecto.Query module to build queries in an expressive and composable way.

Here's an example of querying all users with a specific email domain:

Conclusion

Elixir Ecto provides a robust framework for interacting with databases in a structured and type-safe manner. By defining schemas and using Ecto's querying capabilities, you can build applications that are both performant and easy to maintain.

Explore Ecto's extensive documentation and community resources to further enhance your skills and understanding.

Databases

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