Is a database required for a "quiz" type of game?

Question

I don't know much about databases, I've been asking a few questions about them lately to get a better understanding but I'm still a bit confused about what does and doesn't need one.

I'm making a simple application using HTML/CSS/JavaScript, it has a few quizzes and "tutorials" targeted towards children. I don't want the next tutorial/quiz to be unlocked until the previous one is completed.

So for that would I need a database so that it "saves" when one is completed? I don't need to save scores or anything like that, they just get to move on once they get a passing score.

Answer 1

Any other requirements such as saving to a profile or needing to persist between sessions (e.g. changing of device)?

Browsers have localStorage APIs now which allow you to save a lot of the data (and keep it for a set duration of time). There are also good'ol'fashioned cookies which allow you save pieces of information as well.

Keep in mind that both of the above mandate the user use the same browser and allow these mechanisms. Obviously using "private"/"incognito" browsing would also affect saving status.

It's up to what you feel the requirements are.

EDIT Just saw your mention of a mobile app. If you're planning on allowing the experience to transcend devices, you'll need a database. otherwise, you'll be relying heavily on if they use cross-device sync (like Chrome and Firefox do with bookmarks, passwords, etc.)

Answer 2

If you don't mind that people can do a "view source" on the webpage or use every browsers' developer tools to find out the answers or move on to the next tutorial or quiz, then you can use cookies to store the user's status. Or you can use the preferable Web Storage API.

You might want to look at Firebase. Using just simple JavaScript on the web browser, you can have users with logins (or just allow them to login via Facebook or other services) very easily. And then you can store and retrieve data very easily as well, like quizzes, tutorials and results. This way nobody can see the answers even if they're adept at analyzing the webpage.