Quickstarters
How to Build a Basic CRUD App with Golang?

34min
Introduction
In this guide, you'll learn how to develop a fundamental CRUD (create, read, update, and delete) application using Golang. 
This tutorial covers the essential operations needed to manage data effectively, leveraging Back4app as a robust backend service. You will now build a Golang server that communicates with Back4app via RESTful calls.
Starting off, you'll create and configure a Back4app project named Basic-CRUD-App-Golang. This project will serve as the central database for your application.
Next, you’ll define a scalable database schema by establishing detailed collections and fields—either manually or with the help of the Back4app AI Agent. This setup ensures your system is primed for efficient data manipulation through CRUD operations.
Following that, you will activate the Back4app Admin App, a user-friendly tool with drag-and-drop capabilities to manage your collections. This simplifies the creation, reading, updating, and deletion of records.
Finally, you'll integrate your Golang backend with Back4app using REST APIs, while also implementing robust security controls and user authentication where necessary.
By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a production-ready Golang web server that supports basic CRUD operations and connects seamlessly with a Back4app-managed database.
Key Takeaways
Understand how to construct CRUD applications with Golang and manage data using Back4app.
Gain insights into setting up a scalable backend architecture and integrating it with a Golang REST API.
Learn to use the Back4app Admin App for hassle-free data management.
Discover deployment techniques including containerization for quick launches.
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Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have the following:
A Back4app account with a new project set up.
For guidance, check Getting Started with Back4app.
A Golang development environment.
Install Go (version 1.16 or later recommended).
Basic understanding of Golang, REST APIs, and HTTP servers.
Refer to the Golang documentation if needed.
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Step 1 – Project Setup
Creating a New Back4app Project
Log in to your Back4app account.
Click the “New App” button in your dashboard.
Input the project name: Basic-CRUD-App-Golang and follow the instructions to create your project.
Create New Project
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After the project is set up, you will see it listed on your Back4app dashboard, ready to support your backend configuration.
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Step 2 – Database Schema Design
Defining Your Data Structure
For a basic CRUD application, you’ll create several collections. Here are examples of the collections and fields you might need:
1. Items Collection
This collection stores details about each item.
Field
Data Type
Description
_id
ObjectId
Auto-generated primary key.
title
String
The name or title of the item.
description
String
A concise description of the item.
created_at
Date
Timestamp marking item creation.
updated_at
Date
Timestamp marking the last update.
2. Users Collection
This collection retains user data and authentication details.
Field
Data Type
Description
_id
ObjectId
Auto-generated primary key.
username
String
Unique identifier for the user.
email
String
User's unique email address.
password_hash
String
Encrypted password for login.
created_at
Date
Timestamp when the account was created.
updated_at
Date
Timestamp when the account was last updated.
You can manually set up these collections via the Back4app dashboard by creating a new class for each and defining the columns.
Create New Class
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You can add new fields by choosing the data type, naming the field, setting default values, and indicating if it’s required.
Create Column
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Leveraging the Back4app AI Agent for Schema Creation
The Back4app AI Agent, accessible via your dashboard, can automatically create your database schema from a descriptive prompt. This feature streamlines project setup and ensures consistency.
How to Use the AI Agent:
Launch the AI Agent:
Open your Back4app dashboard and locate the AI Agent under the project settings.
Describe Your Data Model:
Input a prompt detailing the collections and fields you need.
Review and Apply:
The agent generates the collection definitions. Review and confirm the changes.
Sample Prompt
Text
Create the following collections in my Back4app project:

1) Collection: Items
- Fields:
  - _id: ObjectId (auto-generated primary key)
  - title: String
  - description: String
  - created_at: Date (auto-generated)
  - updated_at: Date (auto-updated)

2) Collection: Users
- Fields:
  - _id: ObjectId (auto-generated primary key)
  - username: String (unique)
  - email: String (unique)
  - password_hash: String
  - created_at: Date (auto-generated)
  - updated_at: Date (auto-updated)
Create the following collections in my Back4app project:

1) Collection: Items
- Fields:
  - _id: ObjectId (auto-generated primary key)
  - title: String
  - description: String
  - created_at: Date (auto-generated)
  - updated_at: Date (auto-updated)

2) Collection: Users
- Fields:
  - _id: ObjectId (auto-generated primary key)
  - username: String (unique)
  - email: String (unique)
  - password_hash: String
  - created_at: Date (auto-generated)
  - updated_at: Date (auto-updated)
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This method saves time and helps ensure your schema is robust and optimized.
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Step 3 – Activating the Admin App & Performing CRUD Operations
Overview of the Admin App
The Back4app Admin App is an intuitive, no-code interface that allows you to manage your backend data. It provides a drag-and-drop interface for creating, reading, updating, and deleting records.
Enabling the Admin App
Access the “More” menu on your Back4app dashboard.
Select “Admin App” and then click “Enable Admin App.”
Set up your admin credentials by creating the initial admin user, which also configures roles and system collections.
Enable Admin App
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After activation, log in to the Admin App to manage your database.
Admin App Dashboard
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Using the Admin App for CRUD Tasks
Within the Admin App, you can:
Create Records: Use the “Add Record” button in a collection (e.g., Items) to insert new data.
Read/Update Records: Click on a record to view or modify its details.
Delete Records: Remove records that are obsolete with the delete option.
This interface simplifies data management with an intuitive drag-and-drop design.
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Step 4 – Integrating Golang with Back4app
Now that your backend is configured and managed via the Admin App, it’s time to connect your Golang application to Back4app using RESTful endpoints.
Setting Up Your Golang Project
Initialize your Golang project directory:
Create a folder named basic-crud-app-golang and run:
Bash
go mod init basic-crud-app-golang
go mod init basic-crud-app-golang
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Install necessary packages:
For this tutorial, the standard library suffices, but you may choose to add external libraries as needed.
Sample Code to Fetch and Display Items
Below is an example of a Golang program that retrieves items from your Back4app Items collection:
Go
package main

import (
	"encoding/json"
	"fmt"
	"io/ioutil"
	"log"
	"net/http"
)

const (
	appID     = "YOUR_APPLICATION_ID"
	restAPIKey = "YOUR_REST_API_KEY"
)

type Item struct {
	ObjectID    string `json:"objectId"`
	Title       string `json:"title"`
	Description string `json:"description"`
	CreatedAt   string `json:"createdAt"`
	UpdatedAt   string `json:"updatedAt"`
}

type ItemsResponse struct {
	Results []Item `json:"results"`
}

func fetchItems() {
	url := "https://parseapi.back4app.com/classes/Items"
	req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", url, nil)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("Error creating request: %v", err)
	}
	req.Header.Add("X-Parse-Application-Id", appID)
	req.Header.Add("X-Parse-REST-API-Key", restAPIKey)

	client := &http.Client{}
	resp, err := client.Do(req)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("Error fetching items: %v", err)
	}
	defer resp.Body.Close()

	body, err := ioutil.ReadAll(resp.Body)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("Error reading response: %v", err)
	}

	var itemsResp ItemsResponse
	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &itemsResp); err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("Error parsing JSON: %v", err)
	}

	for _, item := range itemsResp.Results {
		fmt.Printf("Title: %s, Description: %s\n", item.Title, item.Description)
	}
}

func main() {
	fmt.Println("Fetching Items from Back4app...")
	fetchItems()
}
package main

import (
	"encoding/json"
	"fmt"
	"io/ioutil"
	"log"
	"net/http"
)

const (
	appID     = "YOUR_APPLICATION_ID"
	restAPIKey = "YOUR_REST_API_KEY"
)

type Item struct {
	ObjectID    string `json:"objectId"`
	Title       string `json:"title"`
	Description string `json:"description"`
	CreatedAt   string `json:"createdAt"`
	UpdatedAt   string `json:"updatedAt"`
}

type ItemsResponse struct {
	Results []Item `json:"results"`
}

func fetchItems() {
	url := "https://parseapi.back4app.com/classes/Items"
	req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", url, nil)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("Error creating request: %v", err)
	}
	req.Header.Add("X-Parse-Application-Id", appID)
	req.Header.Add("X-Parse-REST-API-Key", restAPIKey)

	client := &http.Client{}
	resp, err := client.Do(req)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("Error fetching items: %v", err)
	}
	defer resp.Body.Close()

	body, err := ioutil.ReadAll(resp.Body)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("Error reading response: %v", err)
	}

	var itemsResp ItemsResponse
	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &itemsResp); err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("Error parsing JSON: %v", err)
	}

	for _, item := range itemsResp.Results {
		fmt.Printf("Title: %s, Description: %s\n", item.Title, item.Description)
	}
}

func main() {
	fmt.Println("Fetching Items from Back4app...")
	fetchItems()
}
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This program sends a GET request to the Back4app Items endpoint, decodes the JSON response, and prints out each item's title and description.
Extending the CRUD Functionality
You can similarly implement functions in Golang for:
Creating an item: Send a POST request with item data.
Updating an item: Use a PUT or POST request to modify existing records.
Deleting an item: Issue a DELETE request to remove records.
Integrate these functions into a full HTTP server using Go's net/http package to handle routes for your CRUD operations.
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Step 5 – Securing Your Backend
Implementing Access Controls
Enhance your data security by applying Access Control Lists (ACLs) when performing CRUD operations. 
For instance, ensure that only authorized users can modify or delete data by setting appropriate ACLs through Back4app’s dashboard and enforcing them via your Golang API.
Configuring Class-Level Permissions
Adjust Class-Level Permissions (CLPs) in the Back4app interface to restrict data access to authenticated or specific roles.
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Step 6 – User Authentication
Setting Up Account Management
Back4app uses Parse’s User class for authentication. In your Golang application, handle user registration and login by sending requests to the appropriate Back4app endpoints. This can include:
User Registration: A POST request with username, email, and password.
User Login: Verifying credentials and managing session tokens.
Integrate these endpoints within your Golang server to secure your CRUD operations.
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Step 7 – Deploying Your Golang Application
7.1 Preparing Your Production Build
Compile your Golang code:
In your project directory, run:
Bash
go build -o crud-app
go build -o crud-app
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Verify the binary:
Ensure the executable (crud-app) runs without errors.
7.2 Organizing Your Project Files
Your project structure might resemble:
Text
Basic-CRUD-App-Golang/
├── main.go
├── handlers.go
├── models.go
├── go.mod
└── README.md
Basic-CRUD-App-Golang/
├── main.go
├── handlers.go
├── models.go
├── go.mod
└── README.md
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7.3 Containerizing with Docker 
If you prefer containerization, include a Dockerfile like:
Dockerfile
# Use an official Golang image to build the app
FROM golang:1.18-alpine as builder

# Set the working directory
WORKDIR /app

# Copy go.mod and go.sum files
COPY go.mod go.sum ./

# Download dependencies
RUN go mod download

# Copy the source code
COPY . .

# Build the application
RUN go build -o crud-app

# Use a minimal image to run the app
FROM alpine:latest
WORKDIR /root/
COPY --from=builder /app/crud-app .
EXPOSE 8080
CMD ["./crud-app"]
# Use an official Golang image to build the app
FROM golang:1.18-alpine as builder

# Set the working directory
WORKDIR /app

# Copy go.mod and go.sum files
COPY go.mod go.sum ./

# Download dependencies
RUN go mod download

# Copy the source code
COPY . .

# Build the application
RUN go build -o crud-app

# Use a minimal image to run the app
FROM alpine:latest
WORKDIR /root/
COPY --from=builder /app/crud-app .
EXPOSE 8080
CMD ["./crud-app"]
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7.4 Deploying Your Application
Deploy on your preferred platform:
Whether you choose a VPS, a cloud provider, or Back4app’s deployment services, upload your binary or Docker container.
Monitor the deployment:
Check logs and verify that your API endpoints are reachable.
Test the Application:
Access your server’s URL to confirm that all CRUD endpoints operate as intended.
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Step 8 – Conclusion and Next Steps
Great job! You’ve successfully built a basic CRUD application using Golang and Back4app. You set up a project called Basic-CRUD-App-Golang, designed collections for Items and Users, and connected your Golang backend to Back4app via REST APIs.
Next Steps:
Enhance Your API:
Add more endpoints for detailed item views, search capabilities, or real-time updates.
Implement Additional Security:
Explore advanced authentication methods and further secure your endpoints.
Explore Further Resources:
Consult the Back4app documentation and the Golang docs for more in-depth insights.
By following this tutorial, you now have the foundation to build robust, scalable CRUD applications with Golang, integrated seamlessly with Back4app. Happy coding!
Field	Data Type	Description
_id	ObjectId	Auto-generated primary key.
title	String	The name or title of the item.
description	String	A concise description of the item.
created_at	Date	Timestamp marking item creation.
updated_at	Date	Timestamp marking the last update.
Field	Data Type	Description
_id	ObjectId	Auto-generated primary key.
username	String	Unique identifier for the user.
email	String	User's unique email address.
password_hash	String	Encrypted password for login.
created_at	Date	Timestamp when the account was created.
updated_at	Date	Timestamp when the account was last updated.
Updated 14 Feb 2025
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