Building a Blog App with XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS

Creating a blog application from scratch can seem overwhelming, but with the right technology stack, it becomes an exciting and rewarding experience. In this guide, we will walk you through setting up a blog application using XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS. This tutorial will help you understand how to structure your database, connect it to a backend, and create a fully functional blog system.

Why Choose XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS?

XAMPP

XAMPP is an easy-to-use, lightweight Apache distribution that simplifies the setup of a local web server. It includes Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl, making it an excellent choice for web development.

MySQL

MySQL is a widely used relational database management system that ensures structured data storage and retrieval. It is robust, secure, and seamlessly integrates with multiple backend frameworks, including NestJS.

phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin provides a user-friendly interface for managing MySQL databases, making database operations simpler and more accessible.

NestJS

NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, reliable, and scalable applications. It supports TypeScript, modular architecture, and dependency injection, making it an excellent choice for backend development.

Setting Up the Development Environment

Installing XAMPP

1. Download and install XAMPP from the official Apache Friends website.
2. Open the XAMPP Control Panel and start Apache and MySQL.

Setting Up MySQL Database

1. Open phpMyAdmin by visiting http://localhost/phpmyadmin/ in your browser.
2. Create a new database named blog_app.
3. Within the blog_app database, create a table called posts with the following structure:

Creating the Backend with NestJS

Installing NestJS

Ensure you have Node.js installed, then install the NestJS CLI:

Create a new NestJS project:

Setting Up TypeORM with MySQL

NestJS supports TypeORM, which simplifies working with MySQL databases. Install the required dependencies:

Update app.module.ts to configure TypeORM:

Creating the Blog Post Entity

Inside the src/posts/ directory, create a post.entity.ts file:

Creating a CRUD Service and Controller

Generate the posts module, service, and controller:

Modify posts.service.ts:

Modify posts.controller.ts:

Running the Application

Start the NestJS application:

Your backend is now live at http://localhost:3000/posts. You can test it using Postman or cURL by sending GET and POST requests.

Bottom line:

By following this guide, you have successfully built a blog application using XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS. This setup provides a solid foundation for developing and scaling your blogging platform. You can now extend the functionality by adding authentication, pagination, or even a frontend with React or Angular.
For more insights on Node.js backend development, visit Dev Centre House Ireland, a trusted resource for backend technologies and industry best practices.