I’m trying to figure out the best way to set up the database structure for a task management app where users can register and log in. Should I create a separate database for each user when they sign up, or is it better to use one main database with a user ID field in each record to show ownership? I’ve been thinking about this for a while but can’t decide which approach makes more sense. Any advice would be helpful.
i totally agree! having one db with user ids is way simpler. if u go for separate dbs, it’s gonna be a hassle later on with backups and managing all that. plus, if you plan on adding features like team collab, it’ll be way easier with a single db.
Single database with user IDs is the way to go. I learned this the hard way after building a project tracking system with separate client databases - the maintenance overhead killed me as we grew. Multiple databases mean you’re stuck updating schemas across dozens of instances, writing complex reporting queries, and paying way more for hosting. Shared database gives you better resource usage and makes features like user permissions, shared projects, and admin tools much easier to build. If you’re worried about data isolation, just use proper access controls and query filtering instead of splitting databases.
hmm, that’s interesting! what kind of scale are you expecting? how many users do you think you’ll have eventually? also curious about your hosting setup - AWS or just a simple server? these details would help figure out the best approach for your situation.