RipDB (Redis + IPfs = RIP)

RipDB is a dead simple, snappy, decentralized JSON store perfect for fast moving web3 builders. It comes with a javascript client that feels like using localstorage, but has decentralization and encryption baked in.

Demo

https://zdenham.github.io/redis-ipfs/

Motivation

The SQL database is a powerful tool unrivaled for storing and querying relational data.

BUT, I believe most Dapps can live without a traditional SQL database in favor of something more light weight and decentralized.

Here are some problems with setting up a db for your dapp

1. There are already many great services which index blockchain data (why reinvent the wheel?)
2. DBs are expensive to host
3. Migrations are often a pain
4. They tend to be centralized / treasure trove for attackers
5. They usually don't give users provenance over their data
6. Encryption / key management is a pain

If a traditional db seems overkill for your use case, RIP might be for you. It gives you the speed of in memory cache (redis) but the decentralization of a global netowrk (Filecoin + IPFS), with some ther goodies like encryption.

Example use case

In my own project (https://juicelabs.io), I needed some sort of store for a list of allowlist addresses (to calculate merkle proofs). Database seemed like a lot. I wanted something closer to an in memory store like Redis, but I wanted better redundancy / cold storage, and thus the idea for RIP came to be.

Usage from browser js client

// Setting up client
import { RipClient } from './RipClient'
const ripServerUrl = '';

const rip = new RipClient({ ripServerUrl });

...

const myJson = { hello: 'RIP world' };
await rip.set('myJsonKey', myJson, { encrypt: false });

...

const { data } = await rip.get('myJsonKey');

...

// reclaims memory, but preserves data on IPFS
await rip.purge('myJsonKey');

☠️ simple or what?

Running your own RipDb Instance

You will need to set up a redis instance first.

The fastest way to do this on your local is via homebrew.

> brew install redis
> brew services start redis

Under your environment variables you will need to set IPFS

TODO

• [ ] Expose RIP client and Rip server as node_modules
• [ ] Implement other Redis operations e.g. scan on the front end client
• [ ] Maybe, build key -> data models in typescript, get graphql style automatic runtime validation during set based on the typescript models COOL: https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts
• [ ] Get fancier with user owned access control features