ORM: Sequelize: Add Not Equal Constraint for Two Columns - mysql

Question

I have a following table. I don't want user to follow himself so I want to add a CHECK constraint.
For example, if this is inserted, I want database to throw an error.
{
userID: 1,
followingID: 1,
}
I can check with Javascript if userID and followingID are equal but I want database to check it.
My MYSQL version is 8.0.17 so I think it is possible to create this constraint with SQL. How can I add this constraint with Sequelize?

Answer 1

There is two solution
1. Using Model wise validation and adding check constraint in database manually:
Model wise validation:
const FollowingModel = sequelize.define("following", {
userId: {
type: Sequelize.INTEGER,
// .. other configuration like `allowNull`
},
followingId: {
type: Sequelize.INTEGER,
// .. other configuration like `allowNull`
}
}, {
validate: {
userShouldNotFollowSelf : function() {
if(this.userId === this.followingId) {
throw Error("User should not follow self") // Use any custom error class if your application has such class.
}
}
}
}
Beware this will allow you create entry in database which does not maintain this constraint.
It is just ORM's application layer check that, this application won't allow any entry where userId and followingId is not same.
Mysql database layer check constraint.
CREATE TABLE `following`
(
`userId` INT NOT NULL,
`followingId` INT NOT NULL,
CONSTRAINT `no_self_following` CHECK (`userId` <> `followingId`)
-- other properties and foreign key constraints.
);
It will ensure that, no such entry inserted where userId and followingId is same.
2. Declaring constraint in sequelize query interface.
This require to declare your model using query interfaces addConstraint as follows
sequelize.getQueryInterface().addConstraint("following", ['userId'], {
type: 'check',
name: "no_self_following"
where: {
userId: {
[Sequelize.Op.ne]: Sequelize.col("followingId")
}
}
});
Run this while all database model is been synced correctly. It will add database level constraint.
Which one to use ?
Approach #1 is more efficient. It is checking within the application without going into the database call, Makes your database less busy.