Blog

For most embedded applications a requirement is a database to store documents, settings, etc. A most powerful NoSql database is CouchDB, developed using the high performance language Erlang. I’ve selected this database for my application because it is a document based database with revision and it is capable to use fewer resources. To install it on your Fox Board, you can see the follow instructions.

1. Step 1: install prerequisites

   As usual before you start, you must install all prerequisites:

   debarm:~$ sudo aptitude update
   debarm:~$ sudo aptitude install build-essential
   debarm:~$ sudo aptitude install libssl-dev zlib1g zlib1g-dev lsb-base
   debarm:~$ sudo aptitude install ncurses-dev libncurses-dev
   debarm:~$ sudo aptitude install unixodbc unixodbc-dev xsltproc
   debarm:~$ sudo aptitude install libmozjs-dev libmozjs2d libicu-dev libcurl-dev
   

2. Step 2: install Erlang

   The next step is easy:

   debarm:~$ sudo aptitude install erlang

3. Step 3: install CouchDB

   The Debian CouchDB package is older, then you install the latest revision compiling the source code.
   Download the source code:

   debarm:~$ cd /usr/local/src
   debarm:~$ wget http://it.apache.contactlab.it/couchdb/releases/1.2.0/apache-couchdb-1.2.0.tar.gz
   

   Unpacking it:

   debarm:~$ sudo tar xzvf apache-couchdb-1.2.0.tar.gz
   

   Compile it (be patient!):

   debarm:~$ cd apache-couchdb-1.2.0
   debarm:~$ sudo ./configure --prefix=/
   debarm:~$ sudo make && sudo make install

4. Step 4: add CouchDB user and set permissions

   As usual it is appropriate to use a specific user for a new service:

   debarm:~$ sudo adduser --system --home /var/lib/couchdb --no-create-home --shell /bin/bash --group --gecos 'CouchDB Administrator' couchdb
   

   Now you can assign the right permissions

   debarm:~$ sudo chown -R couchdb:couchdb /etc/couchdb
   debarm:~$ sudo chown -R couchdb:couchdb /var/lib/couchdb
   debarm:~$ sudo chown -R couchdb:couchdb /var/log/couchdb
   debarm:~$ sudo chown -R couchdb:couchdb /var/run/couchdb
   debarm:~$ sudo chown -R couchdb:couchdb /etc/init.d/couchdb
   debarm:~$ sudo chmod 0770 /etc/couchdb
   debarm:~$ sudo chmod 0770 /var/lib/couchdb
   debarm:~$ sudo chmod 0770 /var/log/couchdb
   debarm:~$ sudo chmod 0770 /var/run/couchdb
   

5. Step 5: start the service

   To start the couchdb when you start your Fox Board, you simply type:

   debarm:~$ sudo update-rc.d couchdb defaults
   

   whereas to stop it:

   debarm:~$ sudo /etc/init.d/couchdb stop
   

   and to start it again:

   debarm:~$ sudo /etc/init.d/couchdb start
   

6. Step 6: test CouchDB

   If your service is started and you type:

   debarm:~$ curl http://localhost:5984
   

   you can see:

   {"couchdb":"Welcome","version":"1.2.0"}
   

   Ok: your CouchDB is ready! Read CouchDB official documentation to work with it.

Reference: http://www.freshblurbs.com/install-couchdb-debian-squeeze-source

UPDATE. If you have updated your Debian Squeeze to Wheeze following my guide you can install CouchDB 1.2.0 simply typing:

debarm:~# aptitude update
debarm:~# aptitude install couchdb

CouchDB , Fox Board

About Marcello Gesmundo

I'm the founder of Yoovant company. I'm an engineer and an artist: what could be better than combine the technologies with the arts?