Don’t start with these databases as a beginner

Source: Dev.to

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is powerful—no debate there. However, beginners often run into these issues:

• Hosting in production is not straightforward.
• Managing it without an ORM (e.g., Prisma) can be stressful.
• Even with tools like pgAdmin, the interface can be hard to navigate.
• Most hosting providers (Render, Railway, etc.) only offer short free periods; once the free tier ends, you either pay or risk losing your data.
• While Supabase provides a managed solution, it still adds complexity for someone still learning backend basics.

SQLite

SQLite shines in local development:

• Simple, fast, and perfect for learning.

But in production it has limitations:

• Not built for multiple concurrent users.
• Doesn’t handle real‑world traffic well.
• Suitable for demos and practice projects, but not ideal for client‑facing applications.

Use SQLite to learn the fundamentals, then move to a more robust solution when needed.

What beginners often overlook

As a developer, your job isn’t just to write code. You need to evaluate cost, scale, and trade‑offs before writing a single line. When building for a client, ask yourself:

• What is the client’s budget?
• Who will maintain the system later?
• What happens when the free tier ends?
• Is this tool solving the problem, or adding unnecessary complexity?

Good developers don’t chase the latest tech for its own sake; they make smart, sustainable technical decisions—that’s what clients actually pay for.

Getting started

If you’re a beginner, start simple. Focus on fundamentals, write clean code, and stay curious.

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