Pull Request issue

[ArpanCodeX]

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Hey everyone 👋

I’m working on a project where the backend and frontend are not properly aligned.
In the backend, there are many extra fields that are not present in the frontend forms, and some frontend input fields are missing from the backend model.

Because of this mismatch, the app is running into validation errors, empty API responses, and inconsistent data storage.

💡 My Question:

How can I modify the backend so that it matches only the existing frontend fields, and remove all unnecessary fields that aren’t in the frontend?
Should I update the model schema directly, or adjust it through the controller/API layer to maintain structure?

🔍 Additional Details:

The frontend is already complete and working perfectly.

The backend has extra attributes that are not used anywhere in the UI.

I want to make the backend fully compatible with the frontend before deployment.

🧠 Expected Outcome:

A clean, minimal backend that has only the fields present in the frontend — ensuring both sides communicate perfectly without redundant or missing data.

[thisisArpan009]

🔍 Step-by-Step Approach

1. Map Out Field Differences

Start by creating a clear mapping of:

Frontend fields (what’s being sent to the API)

Backend model fields (what’s being stored in the database)

This can be done by checking your frontend form payloads (e.g., JSON requests) and comparing them against the backend model definitions.

✅ Tip: Use tools like Postman or browser DevTools to inspect network requests from the frontend.

2. Decide Where to Align

You have two main options:

Option A – Update the Model Schema (Recommended if possible)

If the unused backend fields truly serve no purpose, simplify your database model:

Remove redundant columns from your models/schemas.

Update migrations accordingly.

Clean up related DTOs, serializers, or ORM mappings.

Pros:

Cleaner, future-proof backend.

Less data confusion and storage overhead.

Cons:

Might require database migration or refactoring.

Harder to roll back if those fields are needed later.

Option B – Adjust in Controller/DTO/API Layer

If you can’t alter the database schema (e.g., legacy data or shared backend):

Filter incoming and outgoing data at the API layer.

Accept only the frontend’s known fields.

Ignore or set defaults for unused backend fields.

Pros:

No database changes required.

Safer for backward compatibility.

Cons:

Still maintains “dead” fields in your data model.

Slightly more code to maintain.

3. Synchronize and Validate

Update your validation schemas (e.g., Joi, Yup, Django serializers, etc.) to match the frontend fields.

Ensure backend responses contain only what the frontend expects — no extra or missing keys.

4. Test the Integration

After aligning:

Run full end-to-end tests to verify that every frontend input maps to a backend property.

Test CRUD operations and form submissions for validation consistency.

🧠 Final Recommendation

If the backend is only used by this frontend, it’s best to clean up the model directly.
If it’s shared with other systems, use the controller or serialization layer to tailor responses.

Either way, keep one source of truth for your data structure — and document it clearly for both teams.

✅ Outcome

You’ll end up with:

A minimal, clean backend schema.

Perfectly aligned frontend–backend data exchange.

Easier maintenance and fewer validation errors.