Why I Ditched SurrealDB and Re-embraced MongoDB

Why I Switched Back to MongoDB from SurrealDB

In the ever-evolving landscape of database technologies, choosing the right one for your project can be a daunting task. After experimenting with SurrealDB, I decided to revert to MongoDB. Here's why.

The Need for Simplicity and Reliability

Ease of Setup and Continuity

Setting up a database should be straightforward, allowing developers to focus on building their applications rather than configuring their database. While SurrealDB offers an easy initial setup, continuing with it became increasingly complex. Tasks like setting tables and defining relationships required learning a new syntax, which, while not insurmountable, added unnecessary friction to the development process.

In contrast, MongoDB is well-documented and widely understood, with a plethora of resources available for troubleshooting and learning. Its intuitive setup and clear documentation made it easier to hit the ground running and maintain momentum throughout the project.

The Importance of a Robust Golang SDK

SDK Support in Golang

A good Software Development Kit (SDK) is crucial for seamless integration and development. SurrealDB does provide a Golang SDK, but it falls short in several key areas. Most notably, the lack of native support for transactions was a significant drawback. Transactions are essential for ensuring data consistency and reliability, especially in applications requiring complex data operations.

While it's possible to implement transactions manually, it adds extra complexity and potential for error. MongoDB, on the other hand, offers a mature and feature-rich Golang SDK that supports transactions natively. This support simplifies development and ensures that data operations are reliable and consistent without additional overhead.

Handling Data with Confidence

Data Unmarshaling Issues

Another critical issue with SurrealDB's Golang SDK is the handling of data unmarshaling. Unmarshaling converts data from the database into Go structs. Unfortunately, SurrealDB's SDK struggles with nested structs, often throwing errors and making it difficult to work with complex data models.

In MongoDB, data unmarshaling is robust and well-supported. The Go driver efficiently handles complex, nested data structures, reducing the risk of errors and making it easier to work with the data directly. This reliability in data handling is crucial for building stable and maintainable applications.

Conclusion

While SurrealDB has its strengths and potential, it currently lacks the maturity and robustness required for my projects. The complexities in setup continuation, insufficient Golang SDK features, and problematic data unmarshaling were significant hurdles.

MongoDB, with its ease of setup, strong Golang SDK, and reliable data handling, provides a more stable and efficient environment for development. Switching back to MongoDB has allowed me to focus more on building features and less on wrestling with database issues.

In future articles, I will delve deeper into specific challenges I faced with SurrealDB and how MongoDB addresses these needs effectively. Stay tuned!