Data Model Framework

A TypeScript-based framework for managing dynamic data schemas with support for migrations, references, and validation.

Overview

The Data Model Framework provides a robust system for managing dynamic data schemas in TypeScript applications. It supports:

• Dynamic schema creation and modification
• Field-level references between schemas
• Automated reference management
• Schema migrations with rollback support
• Query capabilities with filtering and sorting
• Persistence abstraction layer

Core Components

Schema Registry

The Schema Registry (SchemaRegistryImpl) is the central component that manages all schemas and their relationships:

• Schema Management: Create, read, update, and delete schemas
• Reference Tracking: Automatically manages references between schemas
• Migration Support: Handles schema evolution with migration tracking
• Query Capabilities: Filter and sort schemas based on criteria

const registry = new SchemaRegistryImpl(persistenceAdapter);
await registry.createSchema({
  name: "User",
  fields: {
    name: { type: "string" },
    email: { type: "string", unique: true }
  }
});

Schema Implementation

The Schema class (SchemaImpl) represents individual schemas and provides:

• Field Management: Add, remove, and modify fields
• Validation: Type checking and constraint validation
• Migration Support: Track changes and support rollbacks
• Event System: Hooks for schema lifecycle events

const schema = await registry.getSchema("User");
schema.startMigration("Add age field");
schema.addField("age", { type: "number" });
await schema.commitMigration();

Persistence Layer

The Persistence Adapter provides an abstraction for data storage:

• Storage Agnostic: Can support different storage backends
• Transaction Support: Atomic operations for data consistency
• Migration History: Tracks all schema changes
• Query Support: Translates queries to storage operations

Production Considerations

Performance

• Implement connection pooling in persistence layer
• Add caching with proper TTL management
• Use batch operations for bulk changes
• Monitor query performance

Reliability

• Add retry logic for transient failures
• Implement proper error handling and recovery
• Add transaction support for atomic operations
• Validate data before persistence

Monitoring

• Add metrics for performance monitoring
• Implement proper logging for debugging
• Track schema evolution history
• Monitor reference integrity

Security

• Validate input data
• Implement access control
• Protect against circular references
• Sanitize query inputs

Best Practices

1. Schema Design:

   • Keep schemas focused and cohesive
   • Use references instead of embedding where appropriate
   • Document field purposes and constraints
   • Version schemas appropriately

2. Migration Management:

   • Always provide clear migration descriptions
   • Test migrations before production
   • Have rollback plans ready
   • Monitor migration duration

3. Reference Management:

   • Avoid deep reference chains
   • Clean up references when removing schemas
   • Monitor reference integrity
   • Handle circular references appropriately

4. Error Handling:

   • Implement proper error recovery
   • Log errors with context
   • Provide clear error messages
   • Handle edge cases gracefully

Future Improvements

1. Schema Implementation:

   • Add support for computed fields
   • Implement field-level permissions
   • Add schema versioning
   • Support for schema inheritance

2. Registry Implementation:

   • Add distributed locking
   • Implement schema caching
   • Add bulk operations
   • Support for schema templates

3. Persistence Layer:

   • Add more storage backends
   • Implement query optimization
   • Add data encryption
   • Support for sharding

Getting Started

1. Install dependencies:

npm install @data-model/core

2. Create a persistence adapter:

const adapter = new FilePersistenceAdapter({
  directory: "./schemas"
});

3. Initialize the registry:

const registry = new SchemaRegistryImpl(adapter);

4. Create and manage schemas:

// Create a schema
await registry.createSchema({
  name: "User",
  fields: {
    name: { type: "string" },
    email: { type: "string", unique: true }
  }
});

// Add a reference
await registry.createSchema({
  name: "Post",
  fields: {
    title: { type: "string" },
    author: { 
      type: "reference",
      reference: {
        schema: "User",
        field: "id"
      }
    }
  }
});

Contributing

Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for details on our code of conduct and the process for submitting pull requests.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.