localfirst.fm #18 – James Arthur: ElectricSQL, read-path syncing, PGLite
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Dec 3, 2024 James Arthur, Founder and CEO of Electric SQL, shares insights on the innovative synchronization engine for local-first applications. He delves into the tech behind Electric SQL, emphasizing read-path syncing and the decision to utilize HTTP for improved scalability. Arthur discusses the evolution of local-first software and the significance of adapting tech solutions to target specific challenges. He also introduces PG Lite, a pioneering project for browser-based Postgres synchronization, highlighting its potential for revolutionizing SaaS applications.
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Electric SQL's Evolution
- Electric SQL started by building on distributed systems research like CRDTs.
- It evolved from a distributed database to a Postgres sync engine for local-first apps.
Focusing on Sync
- Electric SQL initially aimed to be a complete local-first platform.
- It simplified to a composable sync engine, working with any Postgres setup.
Data Freshness in Local-First Apps
- Local-first apps need to manage data freshness to avoid stale data.
- A dedicated sync engine helps keep local data fresh systemically.