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MeiliSearch
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Typically, my stack to fulfil this needs is pretty extensive. It starts with WordPress as CMS, working in headless mode with Next.js frontend. And this covers website part. Data collection tool was in most cases custom-made app in Node.js and Express or PHP app with Laravel framework. It was completed by Elasticsearch and another large tools. But most of the time I have gut feeling that’s a bit of overcomplicated solution and for sure bloated one. When I was starting current project, I made decision that I have to find better and lighter way to do that, especially because in this case data model was not so complicated. My research started with looking for other CMS, best in Node.js and headless out of the box. I knew about two of this kind of systems, Strapi and Keystone.js. First one is a little to rigid for my taste, but second one looks like perfect solution for my needs. Possibility to define schemas in code and easy configuration was really nice. But after that, I had great aha moment. What if I can also use it to define models for data catalog? Is there possibility to kill two birds with one stone? I believe there is. There was one issue thou, but about this later.
Typically, my stack to fulfil this needs is pretty extensive. It starts with WordPress as CMS, working in headless mode with Next.js frontend. And this covers website part. Data collection tool was in most cases custom-made app in Node.js and Express or PHP app with Laravel framework. It was completed by Elasticsearch and another large tools. But most of the time I have gut feeling that’s a bit of overcomplicated solution and for sure bloated one. When I was starting current project, I made decision that I have to find better and lighter way to do that, especially because in this case data model was not so complicated. My research started with looking for other CMS, best in Node.js and headless out of the box. I knew about two of this kind of systems, Strapi and Keystone.js. First one is a little to rigid for my taste, but second one looks like perfect solution for my needs. Possibility to define schemas in code and easy configuration was really nice. But after that, I had great aha moment. What if I can also use it to define models for data catalog? Is there possibility to kill two birds with one stone? I believe there is. There was one issue thou, but about this later.
It’s simple Express.js route calling autocomplete method and returning results as JSON. It takes three parameters: query to search, index to search in and field to return. In my case under the hood it uses Meilisearch search engine and its JS integration — Meilisearch JavaScript. It’s really nice, reliable and what’s the most important lightweight search engine, useful alternative to huge Elasticsearch. But I am using it because it’s also needed in other part of the system, in other cases using built-in QueryAPI should be enough.
It’s simple Express.js route calling autocomplete method and returning results as JSON. It takes three parameters: query to search, index to search in and field to return. In my case under the hood it uses Meilisearch search engine and its JS integration — Meilisearch JavaScript. It’s really nice, reliable and what’s the most important lightweight search engine, useful alternative to huge Elasticsearch. But I am using it because it’s also needed in other part of the system, in other cases using built-in QueryAPI should be enough.