Implementing Soft Deletes and Audit Logging in PostgreSQL with Ecto

This article explains how to implement soft deletes using PostgreSQL triggers in Ecto for the purpose of maintaining an audit log. Soft deletes allow records to be 'deleted' while still retaining all necessary information for possible recovery. The author outlines a step-by-step process to set up a log for deleted records that captures essential details, such as the user who deleted the record, the reason for deletion, and the transaction details. The implementation includes creating a migration for the deleted record logs table, establishing triggers to log deletions automatically, and creating functions to manage transaction parameters for deletions. This method ensures a comprehensive audit trail even in scenarios where deletions are performed manually, thus enhancing data integrity in applications where deletions are significant.