[Routes] Replace current delete anti-pattern with Soft Delete pattern

[benn0k]

Expected Behavior

When deleting rows, should we just mark the row as deleted, instead of actually deleting data? (Need to research this)

Actual Behavior

When deleting rows, we set all rows to an empty string

[vosslerbr]

Typically with deletion in a database, you have 2 main options:

• Real deletion
  • You'd run a DELETE statement on the row, and typically would delete any child relations of the record, unless there are cases where the relation on the child should be set to NULL, or where the child is related to multiple other records in the same column in which case you'd simply be severing the relation to the one you're deleting
• Soft deletion or "archiving"
  • You've already identified this as an option, which is great
  • Typically an "isDeleted" boolean column works for this
  • You can also use a "deletedAt" date column which is NULL if the record is not "deleted" and has a date once it is. This actually conveys two things, which is cool: IF the record is deleted and WHEN it was deleted

Keep in mind that if you ever do work in some area that is covered by GDPR, soft deletion is likely not allowed. In all other areas, typically its up to the intended behavior of the app which option you choose.