ORM Magic: Transform Your Database Workflow with These Top Picks was initially published on Tuesday January 03 2023 on the Tech Dev Blog. For the latest up-to-date content, fresh out of the oven, visit https://techdevblog.io and subscribe to our newsletter!

As a JavaScript developer, you know that working with databases is an essential part of many web development projects. But writing raw SQL queries can be time-consuming and error-prone – that's where object-relational mapping (ORM) comes in! ORM is a programming technique that allows you to interact with a database using an object-oriented paradigm, simplifying your workflow and saving you time and effort.

There are many ORMs available, but which ones are the best for JavaScript developers? Here are our top picks:

Sequelize

This popular ORM supports Node.js and is compatible with several different databases, including MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. It has a wide range of features, including support for associations, transactions, and migrations, and it's easy to get started thanks to its extensive documentation.

Mongoose

If you're working with a MongoDB database, Mongoose is the ORM for you. It's designed specifically for use with MongoDB and allows you to define schemas for your data, as well as perform validation and middleware functions. It also has support for multiple database connections and provides a simple API for creating and querying documents.

TypeORM

This ORM is designed to work with TypeScript and supports a variety of databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. Although it has its issues, it remains a powerful query builder and supports both Active Record and Data Mapper patterns. It also integrates seamlessly with popular JavaScript frameworks like Angular and NestJS.

Waterline

This ORM is designed to work with any database that has a compatible adapter, making it very flexible. It's particularly popular for use with Sails.js, a web framework built on top of Node.js. Waterline has a simple API and supports associations, validations, and lifecycle callbacks.

Objection.js

This ORM is built on top of the popular Knex.js query builder and is designed to work with PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. It has a simple API and supports advanced features like transactions and eager loading. It's also fully type-safe, making it a great choice for TypeScript users.

Conclusion

No matter which ORM you choose, you'll find that it can greatly simplify your work as a JavaScript developer. Instead of writing raw SQL queries, you can use pre-defined methods to perform database operations, improving the maintainability of your code and speeding up your workflow. ORMs do have some limitations, including added complexity and potential inefficiencies, but for many projects, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. So next time you're working with a database, consider giving an ORM a try – you might just find that it becomes your new favorite tool!