Manually inserting data in Firebase

Question

I am creating an app using Angular.js and Firebase and until I have the interface in working order, I am planning on manually inserting data. While it's easy enough to add key:value pairs, I haven't been able to figure out how to structure multiple levels of data, like adding an object which has multiple entries inside of it. If I import a json file, it does this, but I do not want to have to edit a json file and upload it everytime I want to make a change. Is there a way to do this that I am unaware of?

Answer 1

If you head to Firebase Forge (at https://[your-firebase].firebaseio.com), you can load up the Graphical Debugger for your Firebase and manually add, modify, or remove data, as well as watch it as it changes in real-time.

To add hierarchical data using Forge, using the + button to create a new child attribute, give it a name and leave the value blank, and then use the + button on the child to begin adding more children or child attributes. When you're ready to save your data, use the Add button, or hit [Enter].

Answer 2

An interface that would efficiently and quickly edit a hierarchy of data would naturally need to anticipate that hierarchy. So you're not going to find a pre-built tool to edit tiered data without tedious data entry.

Generally, I keep a second browser window opened, logged in with admin privileges, and just manually input the objects using the browser's debugger (e.g. Firebug). I find this quite a bit faster than import/export of JSON (and writing JSON is so tedious!).

Generally, I prefer update over set, as this means I can just enter the changes rather than having to write out the entire hierarchy:

new Firebase(MY_URL).child(PATH).update({    // replace the widgets    widgets: {       one: { color: 'red', shape: 'square' },       two: { color: 'green', shape: 'triangle' }    },     // reset the count    widgetCount: 0,     // delete my status    status: null }); 

If neither the Forge tools nor inputting via debugger suits you, then you might find it worth the investment to write a quick and dirty, ugly and primitive, admin page where you can alter the data and save it.

I have several of these, which I whipped up in around an hour each, to use for frequent admin routines on our sites. The trick is to build only what you need and not get caught up in how cool and awesome it could be. Spartan FTW.