Using WatermelonDB for offline data sync

A blog post outlines the process of integrating WatermelonDB's sync feature with an AdonisJs server-side API application to build an offline weight tracking app using React Native. The guide begins with the setup of the development environment, including cloning the app's repository and launching it on a physical Android device. It explains the use of WatermelonDB's synchronize function to sync data between the app and server, detailing the creation of a sync.ts file and coding for both pullChanges and pushChanges functions. The post describes setting up a MySQL database with AdonisJs and Lucid ORM, focusing on replicating the local app's data structure on the server and creating necessary migrations and models. It also covers building REST API endpoints for synchronization, implementing pull and push methods in a SyncsController to handle data changes. The final steps involve implementing a sync indicator UX in the app's interface to provide visual feedback during the sync process, and testing the offline sync behavior by simulating network disconnections. The post concludes with suggestions for enhancing the app's functionality, such as error handling for sync failures and data export/import features, while encouraging developers to experiment and improve their applications.