To the uninitiated, “CRUD” may seem like a rather odd acronym to encounter, but in the world of computer programming, it is a commonplace term. CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete, the four most basic functions of “persistent storage.”
For a detailed analysis of what CRUD is and how it works, click the link to get all crud operations explained and demystified. But for a basic overview of why CRUD is important to programming and programs, read on.
CRUD Operations Equal Full Functionality
We believe you’ll find that you can’t do anything much at all in the computer programming world without a firm grasp on CRUD. It’s that essential.
And realize that the four basic functions of CRUD mentioned above are often only a part of what the term is used for. It sometimes takes on the meaning of all the implemented functions of a database or application.
In particular, CRUD is sometimes extended to CRUDL, the L standing for “listing.” Listing is required when larger data sets are too big for easy memory storage without resorting to more complex operations, such as pagination and the like.
But even when CRUD is used in its more restricted sense, the fact is that no app or database is complete without the ability to perform these basic operations. Bottom line: software won’t work properly without CRUD.
CRUD Is Too Pervasive for Programmers to Ignore
Anyone who is going to get into software development, or any kind of basic computer programming, is going to run into CRUD. The CREATE, RETRIEVE, UPDATE, and DELETE commands are constantly used tools, and they are a part of almost everything you do as a programmer.
Take, for example, Web Design. Web designers use REST (Representational State Transfer) more than CRUD, but REST is just a superset of CRUD, at the bottom. REST is used with HTTP resources, which is important for developing secure websites that visitors will trust.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Almost the whole of modern computer programming involves the use of CRUD commands.
User Interfaces Also Involve CRUD
Finally, realize that not just programmers, but users too, are affected by CRUD. Most applications allow users to create/add new entries, retrieve/search for existing entries, make updates/edits, and delete unwanted data that was entered earlier.
All of that user activity is simply the use of CRUD on the interface side of the equation. So, not only will a program be unbuildable or non-functional without the use of CRUD actions, it would be unable to interact with end-users as well (even if those first two problems didn’t exist).
Thus, if you want to create usable databases, address books, Web pages, or any other kind of software, you need to familiarize yourself with the basics about CRUD and how it works. It’s part and parcel of good computer programming, and unless you have a firm grasp on it, your job as a programmer will be much, much more difficult to do at optimal efficiency.