TL;DR - Spark is a dead-simple GraphQL API of inspirational quotes meant to inspire and move end-users.
Check it out here: https://github.com/SaalikLok/Spark-API
In some of my projects, I've thought about using a quote API to get inspirational quotes and include them in loading screens, etc. When I couldn't find an API that did exactly what I wanted, I realized that I'd be better off making my own!
Spark is a project that I've started, stopped, and restarted with a new set of tools and motivation several times. I tried with Express and MongoDB, which ended very early. I finished a version of Flask and a MySQL database, running locally, but it was a pain to push to production and felt like overkill.
I'm happy that this time, I was able to create a static version of this with GraphQL, without the need for the database or any fanciness. And it's great that the API gets all the perks of using an awesome technology like GraphQL.
As I'm deepening my full stack React knowledge, GraphQL is a critically important tool in the ecosystem. I realized that building a simple static API for quotes would be a great entry point to this.
It's hosted using the Heroku free account (for now) but we'll see if there's some interest and usage!
If people (or myself) start using the API more regularly, I'll add more quotes to it and ultimately throw a bit of money at Heroku to make it more performable.
If you're a developer, I'd love to hear your thoughts and any feedback you have on the project.
There are a few more fun things in store on the horizon, which I'm super excited to share soon.
This was originally posted on my blog: https://blog.saaliklok.com/
Top comments (1)
The "Side Project Journal: An Inspirational Quote API" serves as a testament to the transformative power of side projects, echoing the words of Robert Collier: "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." Through dedication and passion, this project aims to inspire and uplift with a collection of motivational words, much like Eleanor Roosevelt's timeless wisdom, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." As you explore this API, may it fuel your own creative endeavors and remind you that every small step towards your goals is a step in the right direction. After all, as Lao Tzu once said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."