What is CRUD?

CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete - the four basic actions you can perform on data in a computer system. It’s a simple way to describe how applications store, retrieve, change, and remove information.

Let's break it down

  • Create: Adding new data, like signing up for a new account.
  • Read: Looking at existing data, such as viewing your profile.
  • Update: Changing data that’s already there, like editing your email address.
  • Delete: Removing data you no longer need, for example deleting a post.
  • CRUD: The acronym that groups these four actions together, showing they’re the core operations for most data-driven apps.

Why does it matter?

Understanding CRUD helps you grasp how almost every web or mobile app works behind the scenes. It gives you a foundation for building, using, or troubleshooting software that handles information.

Where is it used?

  • Social media platforms: posting (Create), viewing feeds (Read), editing profiles (Update), removing comments (Delete).
  • Online banking: opening an account (Create), checking balance (Read), changing a password (Update), closing an account (Delete).
  • E-commerce sites: adding a product to the catalog (Create), browsing items (Read), updating inventory (Update), removing discontinued products (Delete).
  • Content management systems: writing a blog post (Create), reading articles (Read), editing pages (Update), deleting old pages (Delete).

Good things about it

  • Simple and universal: works for almost any data-centric application.
  • Easy to learn: beginners can start building functional apps quickly.
  • Clear structure: separates responsibilities, making code easier to maintain.
  • Supports RESTful APIs: maps naturally to HTTP methods (POST, GET, PUT/PATCH, DELETE).
  • Scalable: can be extended with more complex operations while keeping the core idea.

Not-so-good things

  • Too basic for complex business logic: real-world rules often need more than just CRUD.
  • Can lead to security risks if not protected (e.g., unauthorized Delete).
  • May encourage “spaghetti” code if developers don’t organize beyond the four actions.
  • Not ideal for read-heavy or write-heavy systems that require specialized patterns (e.g., event sourcing).