---
title: 5 Facts on DreamFactory | Dreamfactory
description: DreamFactory is an incredible piece of software, but like with any new tech, there's something to learn every day. Here's 5 facts about DreamFactory!
image: https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fYTfOzaRVWw-1024x576.jpg
---

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[Overview Why DreamFactory exists](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview) [Data Gov, Comp, Security Policy enforcement at the API layer](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-data-governance) [Standard API Layer One contract for every backend](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/standard-api-layer) [API Gateway Functionality Routing, auth, rate limits, observability](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/api-gateway-functionality) [Deployment & Integration Self-hosted, cloud, hybrid](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/on-premise-deployment-and-integration) [Developer Productivity Auto-generated, never hand-coded](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-development-accelerated) [AI App Architectures Patterns for RAG, agents, MCP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/enterprise-ai-architectures)

AI Data Models

[AIOpenAI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/openai) [GGoogle Gemini](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/google-gemini) [CAnthropic Claude](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/anthropic-claude-landing) [LMeta Llama](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/meta-llama) [MMistral AI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mistral) [CoCohere](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/cohere)

Services and support

[Quickstart Service Packages Expert-led Quickstarts to production](https://www.dreamfactory.com/services-and-support/quickstart-services-packages)

API Management

[Generate & Manage REST APIs From any database, in seconds](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/generate-rest-apis) [Features Security, scripting, self-hosted & more](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/features) [API Generation The complete guide to auto-generated APIs](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation) [API Management Concepts, tools, and best practises](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools?_gl=1*jl0njh*_gcl_au*MjQzMjgwMTc3LjE3ODIzMjI3MzY)

 Use Cases

AI Use Cases

[AI Data Access Secure, governed reads for your LLMs](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/ai-data-access) [MCP Server Drop-in Model Context Protocol](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mcp-server) [Legacy Modernization Wrap mainframes with REST](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/legacy-modernization) [Data Governance Audit every call, enforce every policy](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/data-governance)

[Customer Case Studies](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies)

[Energy Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/energy-snowflake-modernization) [Government Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-mainframe-oracle-modernization) [Government Business Intelligence](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-sql-server-bi-analyst-queries) [Manufacturing Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/steel-manufacturing-sap-erp-modernization) [Financial Services Investor Portal](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/financial-services-sql-server-investor-portal) [Non-Profit Partner Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/non-profit-sql-server-partner-data-sharing) [Professional Services Exec Dashboards](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/professional-services-erp-dashboards) [Education HR and External Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/education-student-hr-sql-server-mysql-external-data-sharing)

 Industries

Industries

#### [Healthcare HIPAA-grade APIs across EHR, claims, and labs.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/healthcare)

#### [Financial Services Portfolios, partners, and portals on one layer.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/financial-services)

#### [Government Modernize mainframes without re-platforming.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/government)

#### [Manufacturing SAP, MES, and shop-floor data, governed.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/manufacturing)

#### [Spotlight How enterprises run on DreamFactory From healthcare to energy to finance — governance baked into every endpoint. Browse case studies →](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies)

 Connectors

SQL Database

[SQL SQL Server](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/sql-server) [OR Oracle](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/oracle) [PG PostgreSQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/postgresql) [My MySQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mysql)

NoSQL & Docs

[Dy DynamoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/dynamodb) [Do DocumentDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-documentdb) [Mo MongoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mongodb) [Cb CouchDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/couch-db)

Cloud Warehouses

[S3 S3](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/amazon-s3) [Ab Azureblob](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-blob) [FS FTP/SFTP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/ftp-sftp) [LS Local Storage](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/local-storage)

C & SaaS

[Sf Salesforce](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/salesforce) [API REST / SOAP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/soap-to-rest)

[See all 30+ connectors](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors)

[Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/)

[FREE 30 Minute Demo](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo)

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 Back to main menu

 Products & Services

 Use Cases

 Industries

 Connectors

[Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/)

[FREE 30 Minute Demo](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo)

[AI Data Gateway](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview)

[Overview Why DreamFactory exists](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview) [Data Gov, Comp, Security Policy enforcement at the API layer](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-data-governance) [Standard API Layer One contract for every backend](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/standard-api-layer) [API Gateway Functionality Routing, auth, rate limits, observability](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/api-gateway-functionality) [Deployment & Integration Self-hosted, cloud, hybrid](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/on-premise-deployment-and-integration) [Developer Productivity Auto-generated, never hand-coded](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-development-accelerated) [AI App Architectures Patterns for RAG, agents, MCP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/enterprise-ai-architectures)

AI Data Models

[AIOpenAI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/openai) [GGoogle Gemini](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/google-gemini) [CAnthropic Claude](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/anthropic-claude-landing) [LMeta Llama](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/meta-llama) [MMistral AI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mistral) [CoCohere](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/cohere)

Services and support

[Quickstart Service Packages Expert-led Quickstarts to production](https://www.dreamfactory.com/services-and-support/quickstart-services-packages)

AI Data Models

[Generate & Manage REST APIs From any database, in seconds](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/generate-rest-apis) [Features Security, scripting, self-hosted & more](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/features) [API Generation The complete guide to auto-generated APIs](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation) [API Management Concepts, tools, and best practises](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools?_gl=1*jl0njh*_gcl_au*MjQzMjgwMTc3LjE3ODIzMjI3MzY)

AI Use Cases

[AI Data Access Secure, governed reads for your LLMs](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/ai-data-access) [MCP Server Drop-in Model Context Protocol](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mcp-server) [Legacy Modernization Wrap mainframes with REST](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/legacy-modernization) [Data Governance Audit every call, enforce every policy](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/data-governance)

[Customer Case Studies](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies)

[Energy Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/energy-snowflake-modernization) [Government Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-mainframe-oracle-modernization) [Government Business Intelligence](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-sql-server-bi-analyst-queries) [Manufacturing Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/steel-manufacturing-sap-erp-modernization) [Financial Services Investor Portal](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/financial-services-sql-server-investor-portal) [Non-Profit Partner Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/non-profit-sql-server-partner-data-sharing) [Professional Services Exec Dashboards](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/professional-services-erp-dashboards) [Education HR and External Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/education-student-hr-sql-server-mysql-external-data-sharing)

Industries

#### [Healthcare HIPAA-grade APIs across EHR, claims, and labs.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/healthcare)

#### [Financial Services Portfolios, partners, and portals on one layer.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/financial-services)

#### [Government Modernize mainframes without re-platforming.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/government)

#### [Manufacturing SAP, MES, and shop-floor data, governed.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/manufacturing)

SQL Database

[SQL SQL Server](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/sql-server) [OR Oracle](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/oracle) [PG PostgreSQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/postgresql) [My MySQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mysql)

NoSQL & Docs

[Dy DynamoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/dynamodb) [Do DocumentDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-documentdb) [Mo MongoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mongodb) [Cb CouchDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/couch-db)

Cloud Warehouses

[S3 S3](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/amazon-s3) [Ab Azureblob](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-blob) [FS FTP/SFTP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/ftp-sftp) [LS Local Storage](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/local-storage)

C & SaaS

[Sf Salesforce](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/salesforce) [API REST / SOAP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/soap-to-rest)

[See all 30+ connectors](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors)

[![back arrow](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/orange-arrow.svg) Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/)

# 5 Facts on DreamFactory | Dreamfactory

 by Terence Bennett

![calendar icon](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/calendar-icon.svg) January 14, 2026

Table of contents

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

- [A Complete Guide to API Generation](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation)
- [10 Best API Management Tools](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools)
- [Creating a Microsoft SQL Server API in Less Than 5 minutes with DreamFactory](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/creating-a-microsoft-sql-server-api-in-less-than-5-minutes-with-dreamfactory)
- [Hasura vs. DreamFactory: A Comprehensive Comparison](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hasura-vs-dreamfactory)
- [Build A Snowflake REST API in Less Than 5 Minutes](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/generate-a-snowflake-rest-api-in-less-than-5-minutes)

![](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fYTfOzaRVWw-1024x576.jpg)

DreamFactory is an incredible piece of software, but like with any new tech, there's something to learn every day.

We'll cover:

[Where is everything?](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/5-things-every-dreamfactory-user-should-know#wheres-my-stuff)  
[How to backup data](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/5-things-every-dreamfactory-user-should-know#backup)  
[Creating an API key](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/5-things-every-dreamfactory-user-should-know#api-key)  
[Checking the log file](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/5-things-every-dreamfactory-user-should-know#log-file)  
[Using the testing tool](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/5-things-every-dreamfactory-user-should-know#testing-tool)

Did you know you can generate a full-featured, documented, and secure REST API in minutes using DreamFactory? Sign up for our **free 14 day hosted trial** to learn how! Our guided tour will show you how to create an API using an example MySQL database provided to you as part of the trial!

[Create a REST API Now](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/register?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=5%20Facts%20on%20DreamFactory%20;utm_campaign=blog)

## 1. Where’s my stuff?

 The location of the all powerful DreamFactory code will be located in a different place depending on what type of installation you did. We call this location the installation directory. In many cases, the version number is included as part of the path. In this example, we’ll assume you got version 2.2.1-2 from Bitnami.

#### Bitnami local installs

- Linux: ~/dreamfactory-2.2.1-2/apps/dreamfactory/htdocs
- Mac: /Applications/dreamfactory-2.2.1-2/apps/dreamfactory/htdocs
- Windows: C:\\Bitnami\\dreamfactory-2.2.1-2\\apps\\dreamfactory\\htdocs

#### Bitnami cloud VMs

 /opt/bitnami/apps/dreamfactory/htdocs

#### Manual install (GitHub)

This is [completely custom](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/build-your-own-web-services-using-dreamfactory-custom-scripts/). I hope you paid attention while installing =)  
The location used in the documentation is /opt/dreamfactory.

Before you make changes to your installation (like upgrading) you should make a backup, and with DreamFactory, it’s a piece of pie (cake is overrated.)

## 2. Backups are easy

Here are the default locations:

### File backup

You need to make a copy of the installation directory (see tip #1). So, if I have a directory called /backups I can copy my Bitnami Cloud VM install directory like this:

cp -r /opt/bitnami/apps/dreamfactory/htdocs /backups/htdocs.old

Or, if you want to get really fancy, you can compress it and add the date to the file name

tar -czf /backups/htdocs-$(date +"%Y%m%d%H%M").tar.gz /opt/bitnami/apps/dreamfactory/htdocs

The point is no matter what Operating System or tools you use, you really just need to copy those files. They’re important.

#### What about the database?

Did you use sqlite as the system db? Then you already did your backup with file backup above. The sqlite system database is just a file:

{installation directory}/storage/databases/database.sqlite

MySQL? You can use the mysqldump command to do a backup, or if you have a tool like phpMyAdmin (comes with Bitnami local installs), you just log in, select the database and click the Export tab. The default settings should be fine (Quick method and SQL format.) Click Go. This file can be used to restore the data in the system database if you need to revert changes made.

![mysql_dump.gif](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/mysql_dump.gif)

## 3. You need an API key

In DreamFactory nearly all calls need an [API Key](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/getting-started-with-the-dreamfactory-api/). There are a few exceptions (calls made with admin user session info and calls for logging in,) but generally, assume you need an API Key to make your calls. Not sure what API Key to use? You can create one or get an existing one from Apps tab of the admin console. If your API Key has a default Role associated with it, that’s all you need to make your call. If not, you’ll need a session token too. The DreamFactory authorization and authentication system is [heavily documented](http:=) with a [plethora of examples.](https://wiki.dreamfactory.com/DreamFactory/Tutorials/Authentication_and_Authorization)

4. Check the log file

The DreamFactory log file is a key part of the troubleshooting process. If you’re having trouble with a service or API call, you can find valuable information in the log.

The DreamFactory log file is located in:

{installation directory}/storage/logs/dreamfactory.log

By default the application is not writing full debug information to the log file. You’ll want to [enable debug logging](https://wiki.dreamfactory.com/DreamFactory/Troubleshooting#Logging) by setting the DF\_LOG\_LEVEL equal to DEBUG in the .env file and clearing the config cache and the application cache.

Let’s take the example of a mysql service. I’ve put in my connection information, but when I try to load the schema in the schema editor, nothing happens.

I take a look at the log file and see:

SQLSTATE\[HY000\] \[1045\] Access denied for user 'localadmin'@'localhost' (using password: YES)

AHA! I must have put in the wrong credentials. I can now fix my service configuration and proceed with my API masterpiece. These types of hints in the log can be a huge help in figuring out what went wrong.

Did you know you can generate a full-featured, documented, and secure REST API in minutes using DreamFactory? Sign up for our **free 14 day hosted trial** to learn how! Our guided tour will show you how to create an API using an example MySQL database provided to you as part of the trial!

[Create a REST API Now](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/register?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=5%20Facts%20on%20DreamFactory%20;utm_campaign=blog)

## 5. You’ve got a built-in testing tool

Swagger (API Docs) is great for learning how your API calls work, but it has a lot of overhead for your browser, and it grows and grows as you add more services. What if you’ve gotten a handle on how the DreamFactory APIs work, and you just need to test a quick API call? Enter Test Rest.

We provide a built-in testing tool with every install—a lightweight JavaScript REST client called Test Rest. It’s located in test\_rest.html at the root path of the web site (for example https://localhost:8080/test\_rest.html). With this tool you can quickly make calls to the API and see the results without all the hassle and bulk of logging in to the admin console and loading up API Docs. It has quick access to common headers and authentication methods, including API Keys, Session Tokens, and HTTP Basic Auth.

![test_rest.gif](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/test_rest.gif)

TAGS: [API Management,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/api-management-2) [Services,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/services) [SQL,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/sql) [REST,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/rest) [DreamFactory,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/dreamfactory) [API Automation,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/api-automation) [Data Sources,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/data-sources) [API Design,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/api-design) [SOAP,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/soap) [Database,](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/database) [API](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/api)

![Terence Bennett](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1624046620145.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=1624046620145.jpg)

Terence Bennett

Terence Bennett, CEO of DreamFactory, has a wealth of experience in government IT systems and Google Cloud. His impressive background includes being a former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer and a former member of Google's Red Team. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as COO at DreamFactory Software.

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