Using Cardano DB Sync to synchronize a local database copy
Cardano DB Sync is a powerful tool that allows you to maintain a synchronized local copy of the Cardano blockchain database. Keeping such a local database copy can be extremely useful for developing Cardano-based applications or analyzing chain data without relying on public API services. In this article, we'll explore how to set up Cardano DB Sync and leverage it to query a local database copy in real time as the chain progresses.
Introduction
The Cardano blockchain maintains a global state containing every transaction that has ever occurred. This data is stored across decentralized node databases. While public APIs exist to query chain data, they can be slow or unreliable for applications that need to frequently access and parse large amounts of information.
Cardano DB Sync enables creating a localized database replica that stays in sync with the latest chain state. This allows for much faster querying and flexibility for custom data analysis and application development. Let's look at how it works!
Downloading and Configuring Cardano DB Sync
Cardano DB Sync is an open source project so the first step is to download the code from the public repository. Once deployed, it will continuously poll the chain and update the local database copy as new blocks are created.
The node needs to be configured to connect to Cardano mainnet or testnet and Postgres database credentials specified so DB Sync knows where to construct the local database replica. Some node tweaking may be required depending on specific needs.
Starting and Stopping the Node Synchronization
With configuration in place, the Cardano DB Sync process can be started to begin blockchain syncing. The initial download may take a long time as it replicates the full history. The process runs continuously in the background, keeping the local database updated.
DB Sync can be stopped cleanly at any time. On restart it will resume synchronization from where it left off. The local database state will remain intact between restarts.
Querying the Local Database Copy
Once fully synchronized, the Postgres database created by DB Sync contains a full replica of the Cardano blockchain data. This can then be queried directly using SQL statements, providing much faster response times than public APIs.
Complex analytical queries can be run to parse transaction history, wallet balances, token movements, and any other data stored on the chain. The local database copy empowers rapid development of chain-connected applications.
Conclusion
How can I optimize DB Sync performance?
Some tips for getting the best performance from Cardano DB Sync:
- Use fast storage like SSDs or RAID arrays for the Postgres database to improve write speeds
- Tweak DB Sync settings for higher concurrency like more simultaneous requests
- Scale up Postgres server compute resources if needed to handle increased load
- Create indexes on frequently filtered columns like addresses to speed up queries
-Partition the database tables into smaller chunks to parallelize synchronization
What other use cases are there for maintaining a local chain copy?
Beyond powering applications, some other valuable use cases for having a local Cardano database copy include:
- Auditing and accounting purposes - easily verify transaction histories
- Data analytics and visualizations without API limits
- Experimenting with custom functionality on an up-to-date replica
- Testing applications against large data sets before deployment
- Developing specialized chain indexing and search capabilities
- Disaster recovery backup for resiliency against outages
The capabilities unlocked by real-time synchronization with the Cardano blockchain are expansive. Cardano DB Sync makes it practical to maintain an up-to-date local database replica to empower developers and innovators alike.
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