As a solo developer, I'm often asked about my workflow and the tools I use to build and deploy my apps, like Tab Reminder, a Chrome extension that helps users schedule tabs to reopen later. Recently, some friends wanted to see how I use DigitalOcean, so I decided to build them the smallest real app I could. The goal was to create something functional, yet minimal, to illustrate the basics of deploying an app on DigitalOcean.
I started by creating a simple to-do list app, focusing on the core functionality that would allow users to add and remove items. As I worked on the app, I realized that one of the key challenges was handling the persistence of data. This is where I applied a technical insight that has helped me in many of my projects, including Tab Reminder: using a simple, yet robust, data storage solution. In the case of the to-do list app, I used a lightweight database that could handle the small amount of data the app would store.
One of the lessons I learned from this exercise was the importance of keeping things simple, especially when demonstrating a concept or tool to others. By building the smallest real app possible, I was able to focus on the essential aspects of using DigitalOcean, without overwhelming my friends with unnecessary features or complexity. This approach also helped me to identify potential issues and areas for improvement, much like how I iterate on Tab Reminder to ensure it remains a useful tool for users who need to schedule tabs to reopen later. The experience reminded me that sometimes, less is more, and that building small, functional apps can be a great way to learn and teach others about new tools and technologies.