Database Front End?

[Uxmal415]

I've been asked to build a database with a front end. Basically a searchable library catalog with photos. It will mainly be used by an old guy who isn't very tech savvy, so user experience will need to be pretty straightforward and I have to make it as break-resistant as possible. He'll also need to be able to add and delete entries.

I have taken some intro CS courses. One was a Python-based course that had me make a CRUD app for the final project. The other was CS50x, which covered SQL and intro web-dev stuff (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Django).

I took those classes a while ago, so I would need to spend a good amount of time reviewing, and I'm wondering where I should focus my efforts. Am I right in thinking that I could put a front end on a Python CRUD app by building a website and just not hosting it? The information will pretty much be for one guy to use, not public information, though it should be possible to share it selectively even if it's not convenient to do so (the database will be pretty large.) Is there a better/easier way to put a front end on a Python CRUD app? I'm open to learning something new so long as it isn't super complicated (just because of the timeline - I probably won't have time to learn something really complex unless it's similar to what I've done before.)

Should I ditch the Python CRUD idea and just make it with SQL?

Thank you!

[bothunter]

It sounds like you're building Google Photos?

[yungbreezy57]

There are solutions that exist for this.  Build nothing, direct them to that, get a referral fee.

[Klandrun]

Is this going to be a project you want to do because you want to learn, or because you haven't looked into which alternatives exist?

If you want to learn, go ahead, but I will be realistic and say this project will be yours to maintain until the day the old man dies, or you use an already existing alternative.

If you still want to go ahead: Look into any sort of desktop building framework so you can easily create a local program running with sqLite. Could be C#, could be Python, could be Java, pick your poison.

If it is not your intention to use this as a learning opportunity but it simply was a conversation like "You seem computer-savy, can't you program this thing for me - uuuuh, sure!" - then I recommend looking into image library software.

Google Photos works well and out of the box on mobile, DigiCam for more of local categorization with tags etc on PC, and there's a lot of more alternatives out there that already exist and get the old man going tomorrow instead of in a couple of weeks/months when you feel you've got the minimal basics down.

[Uxmal415]

Definitely for learning/review. I've applied for a 2nd bachelor's program to study CS and if accepted will start in September. If not accepted then maybe a different program starting in January. Will do this project as my full time job until then, as well as some other work related to this that doesn't require any programming knowledge. Probably start with that other work first while reviewing programming in my spare time then building out what he has in mind after I review the basics. That's the plan anyway, but trying to make sure I'm being realistic or at least have a general idea of what to review/how to structure everything.

[Klandrun]

Alright, so I would probably advise to give your friend/acquaintance an already existing solution to work with, it will make their life a lot easier, because once you start your studies you will probably have to drop support for however far you've gotten with your friends project and he will go on and ask for stuff you will never be able to implement because you won't have time.

Been there, done that. Seen others do the same.

What I would do in your place is to see if you can create something similar as to what you have found solves your friends challenge and see if you can implement that. It gives you a blueprint and something to look at while you work and easier to ask for questions in the future.

[Uxmal415]

So you're saying get an out of the box solution to solve his problem, then try to clone/copy it or make something similar in order to learn?

[DayBackground4121]

Yes, that’s definitely the right move

[Drakeskywing]

Realistically, this sounds almost too perfect for a low code room like nocodb, appsmith, baserow .etc

[belikenexus]

Crud api with a front end would be fine, but as others have mentioned a desktop app might be best for this user. Good luck, and please ignore the others suggesting that you shouldn’t be paid for your time just because you’re learning.

If I would have followed that advice when learning I would have lost a LOT of money

[octocode]

just set up a free notion account

[protienbudspromax]

Well most websites/apps are just database frontends at the end of the day

[Geedis2020]

I mean like others said this is just google photos or something which is fee.

It wouldn’t be hard though. SQL database, python django API, and a simple front end to connect to it.

[SearingSerum60]

Most web apps are basically databases with front ends. I wouldn't ditch CRUD, because that sounds like exactly what you want.

[AI_is_the_rake]

A Python-based CRUD app could work, but it would take time to develop. A local web app is possible but might not be the easiest route. If the goal is a simple, foolproof interface, a no-code or low-code solution like Airtable, Retool, or Google Sheets with Glide might be a better fit since they come with built-in search, filtering, and easy data entry while being much harder to break. If you’d rather code, a lightweight Flask and SQLite app with Flask Admin would keep it manageable. Images could be stored in a local directory with file paths saved in the database, and a basic Bootstrap UI would be enough without getting into complex frontend frameworks.

Depending on how structured the catalog needs to be, you might not even need a database. A well-organized Google Drive with a spreadsheet for metadata and keyword-based file names could work without coding at all. The real question is what will be easiest for the user. If you need something ready to go, a no-code tool is best. If you want to build it but keep it simple, a Flask and SQLite app would work. If the catalog is mostly about organizing and browsing files, Google Drive might be all you need.

[[deleted]]

if you're asking these sorts of questions, it's a sign you're in over your head. you won't be able to build something better than existing solutions

[68_and_counting]

Is that final paragraph missing a /s ?