How to Make URL Shortener API Without Database

date

Jul 26, 2023

slug

How-to-Make-URL-Shortener-API-Without-Database

status

Published

Introduction

URL shortening is a technique that can be used to make long URLs shorter and easier to share. Shorter URLs are often more convenient to share on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, where character limits are in place. Typically, a URL shortening service involves a database to store the mappings between the shortened URLs and the original URLs. However, in this blog post, we will explore how to create a URL shortener API without a database.

Methods to Create URL Shortener API Without Database

Method 1: Using Hashing Function

One way to create a URL shortener API without a database is to use a hashing function. A hashing function takes an input (in this case, the original URL) and generates a unique output (the shortened URL) that is a fixed length. This output is then stored in memory on the server. When a user requests the shortened URL, the server looks up the shortened URL in memory and redirects the user to the original URL. The hashing function ensures that every input generates a unique output, so there are no collisions between shortened URLs.

Method 2: Using Redis Cache

Another way to create a URL shortener API without a database is to use Redis cache. Redis is an in-memory data structure store that can be used as a database, cache, and message broker. In this case, we can use Redis cache to store the mappings between the shortened URLs and the original URLs. When a user requests the shortened URL, the server looks up the shortened URL in Redis cache and redirects the user to the original URL. Redis cache is fast and efficient, making it a great choice for this use case.

Method 3: Using Serverless Architecture

A third way to create a URL shortener API without a database is to use a serverless architecture. A serverless architecture involves using cloud-based services to run code without the need for a server. In this case, we can use a serverless architecture to generate the shortened URLs on the fly and store them in memory. When a user requests the shortened URL, the serverless code looks up the shortened URL in memory and redirects the user to the original URL. This approach is highly scalable and cost-effective since the serverless code only runs when it is needed.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we explored three ways to create a URL shortener API without a database. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on the specific use case. By exploring these approaches, developers can create fast, efficient, and scalable URL shortener APIs without the need for a database. These methods can be useful in situations where a database is not available or not suitable, and they offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional URL shortening services.