To build a low-code platform that can support complex enterprise applications, the design of its basic functional modules directly determines the usability, flexibility and quality of the final delivered application. The following is an in-depth planning and technical implementation consideration for the three core modules of visual form engine, data model management, and page layout construction.
1. Visual form engine design
Forms are the most frequent interactive interface in enterprise applications, and their design efficiency and flexibility are critical. A powerful visual form engine solves the full link problem from field orchestration, logic control, and data landing.
1.1 Deep implementation of diverse field types
Base field extension:In addition to the basic text, dropdowns, and dates, you need to integrate:
- Rich Text Editor:It supports mixing graphics and text, format control (such as bolding, lists, links), and is used for content publishing, ticket descriptions, and other scenarios. HTML security filtering and storage optimization need to be handled.
- File Upload:Support multiple files, type/size limit, progress display, preview (image/PDF). The backend needs to implement file storage services (OSS/MinIO integration), shard uploads, and breakpoint resumption.
- Geographical location:Integrated map API (e.g., AutoNavi/Google Maps) to support address retrieval, coordinate picking, and area mapping (polygon/circle). The design of latitude and longitude fields should be considered for data storage.
- Signature:Used in contract and approval scenarios. Canvas drawing, handwriting smoothing, image generation (PNG/SVG) and storage are required.
- Subforms/Forms: It supports dynamic addition and deletion of rows, data verification (row/column level), and is used for order details, personnel lists, etc. Nested arrays or associative table designs should be considered for data structures.
Dynamic Data Source Dropdown: The drop-down options need to support static enumeration, dynamic API loading (pagination, search), and association with other forms/data models. Asynchronous loading performance and search optimization (front-end stabilization/back-end indexing) need to be handled.
1.2 Granular control of field attribute configuration
Engineering practice of verification rules:
- Front-end real-time verification:Utilize regular expressions to validate formats (mailbox, phone, ID number), logical expressions (such as end date> start date). Friendly error prompt targeting is required.
- Back-end strong verification:The front-end verification is easy to bypass, and the server must perform secondary verification based on the same rules. It is necessary to design a unified verification rule description language or DSL to realize the sharing of front-end and back-end rules.
- Custom Checks:Hooks allow developers to inject JS/Python functions to implement complex business logic verification (such as inventory checks, uniqueness remote checks). Sandbox security and performance isolation need to be considered.
Smart settings for defaults:
- Dynamic Expressions:Supports calculating default values based on formulas (such as NOW()), current user information (CURRENT_USER.department), and associated field values.
- Data linkage default:When field A changes, field B is automatically reset to the associated default value (e.g., after switching countries, the province drop-down is reset to the default option).
Permissions and Visibility:Field-level permission control (read-only, edit-only, and hidden) must be deeply integrated with the platform’s RBAC system.
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1.3 Handling complex scenarios with field linkage
Linkage mechanism design:
- Event-Driven Model:Trigger linkage rules based on events such as Change and Focus/Blur.
- Dependency graph calculations:Establish dependency graphs between fields, automatically handle cascading updates, and avoid circular dependencies. Efficient dirt inspection and local refresh are required.
Typical scenario implementation:
- Implicit control:Show/hide field groups based on conditional expressions such as radioGroup.value === ‘yes’. Layout reflow animations need to be processed.
- Option linkage:For example, the three-level linkage of provinces and municipalities. It is necessary to design an efficient data loading strategy (front-end caching, back-end on-demand loading).
- Attribute linkage:Dynamically modify the disabled, placeholder, and verification rules of the fields (for example, ID number is required when “Individual” is selected, and unified credit code is required when “Enterprise” is selected).
- Calculated Fields:Calculate the results in real time based on other field values (e.g., unit price× quantity = total amount). Calculation frequency and performance are handled.
Commissioning and Maintenance:Provides a visual rule orchestration interface, dependency diagram viewing, and rule simulation testing tools to reduce configuration complexity.
1.4 Storing and reading form data: an engineering challenge
Storage model selection:
- Structured storage (recommended):Map to database tables. Advantages: High query performance, strong type constraints, and easy correlation analysis. It is necessary to design an automatic/semi-automatic mapping mechanism between forms and database tables.
- Semi-structured storage (JSON):Suitable for dynamically structured forms. Pros: Flexible. Disadvantages: Low query efficiency (need to use JSON functions or convert to NoSQL), weak constraints. Weigh the use cases.
Data versions are compatible with:
- Schema Change Management:How is the old data compatible after the form is modified? Scenario: New fields are allowed to be filled with NULL and default values. Obsolete field tombstone deletion instead of physical deletion; Data migration scripting tool.
- Historical Version Backwards:Save snapshots of form structure and data, and view historical submission versions.
High-performance read and write:
- Data sharding:For massive form data (such as logs and questionnaires), divide the database and table by time and tenant ID.
- Read-write separation:The main library writes, and the library reads. Use caching (Redis/Memcached) to accelerate frequently accessed static data.
- Data Serialization Optimization:Efficient serialization of form submission data (Protocol Buffers, MessagePack) reduces network overhead.
Data Security:
- Transmission encryption:HTTPS。
- Storage encryption:Sensitive fields (passwords, ID cards) are encrypted transparently at the application layer or database.
- Fine-grained access control:Row-level (RLS), column-level permission control (based on user role/data attribution).
Data Echo and Editing:Find the corresponding structure according to the form version and accurately populate the database records into the fields. Handles asynchronous loading fields (such as large file previews).
2. Data model management
The data model is the backbone of the application, and its management capabilities determine the business complexity that the platform can support.
2.1 Design and implementation of data entities
Entity Definition:
- Metadata Management:Store entity name, description, classification (module), creator, timestamp, etc. A dedicated metadata store (database tables or dedicated registry) needs to be designed.
- Field Definition:Field name, data type (exact to length/precision, e.g., VARCHAR(255), DECIMAL(10,2)), database comments, business semantic description. Supports generic types (text, number, date, boolean) and platform extension types (file references, associations).
Physical Storage Mapping:
- DDL Automatic Generation:The platform generates and executes database table creation and table modification statements (CREATE TABLE, ALTER TABLE ADD COLUMN) in real time and on-demand according to the model definition. Database type differences (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle) need to be handled.
- ORM/Data Access Layer:Encapsulates the underlying database operations, provides an entity-oriented CRUD API, and blocks SQL differences.
2.2 Advanced constraints on field properties
Base Attributes:
- Unique constraints:Single-field uniqueness and multi-field joint uniqueness are supported. Enable efficient unique index creation.
- Non-empty constraints:The database NOT NULL constraint is combined with server-side verification.
- Defaults:The database DEFAULT value is set.
Advanced constraints:
- Check for constraints:database CHECK (e.g., age > = 0) or application layer logic check.
- Enumeration constraints:Database ENUM type or application layer validation.
- Format constraints:Application layer regex (e.g., mobile phone number, email address).
Indexing Strategy:Supports creating ordinary, unique, and composite indexes. Performance analysis recommendations (based on query patterns) are required.
2.3 Relationship modeling: primary keys, foreign keys and associations
Primary Key Design:
- Type selection:Self-incrementing integers (simple and efficient), UUID/GUID (distribution-friendly, anti-information leakage), and business primary keys (such as order numbers). The platform needs to provide the option to generate a strategy.
- Combination of primary keys:Support multi-field joint primary keys (use with caution).
Foreign Keys and Relationships:
1) Physical foreign keys vs logical foreign keys:
- Physical KEY: A database-layer FOREIGN KEY constraint. Advantages: Strong consistency. Disadvantages: Affected performance (lock), poor support for distributed databases, and risk of cascading operations.
- Logical foreign keys: The application layer maintains associations. Advantages: Flexibility and controllable performance. Disadvantages: Consistency requires the application of guarantees (transactions).Enterprise-level platforms usually recommend logical foreign keys, which are more controllable.
2) Cascade Operation:Define the behavior on deletion/update (CASCADE, SET NULL, RESTRICT). It needs to be clearly implemented and configured at the application layer.
2.4 Implementation of inter-table relationship modeling
Relationship type implementation:
- One:Add a foreign key field to the other party’s primary key in either entity (usually on the side that uses it more frequently) and set a unique constraint.
- One-to-Many:Add a foreign key field pointing to the primary key of the “one” party on the side of “Many” (such as customer_id in the Order table).
- Many-to-Many:Have toImplemented through intermediate association entities (tables). The intermediate table contains at least two foreign key fields that point to the primary keys of both parties (e.g., Student_Course contains student_id and course_id). Expandable intermediate table properties (such as course selection time, grades).
Visual Modeling Tools:
- ER Diagram Editing:Drag and drop entities and draw relationship lines (annotated 1:1, 1:N, N:M). Support automatic layout, zoom, and export images/DDL.
- Relationship Attribute Configuration:Click the relationship line to configure the foreign key field name, cascade rule, whether it is required, etc.
- Comparison of model versions and differences:Record the history of model changes, support version rollback, and visualize and compare the differences between different versions.
Query optimization:Automatically generate associated query SQL (JOIN) and support Eager Loading policy configuration to avoid N+1 query issues.
3. Page layout construction system
Pages are the window through which users perceive applications, and their construction efficiency and experience directly affect user satisfaction.
3.1 Engineering implementation of basic layout components
Component abstraction:
- Yes:The base transverse container controls the arrangement of the internal columns (starting position, alignment). You can set the spacing (Gutter), background, and inner margin.
- Column:Placed in a row, define the width occupied (proportion under responsive breakpoints: xs, sm, md, lg, xl, e.g. span={6} for 50%). Supports offset and order.
- Container:Universal block containers that provide advanced layout components such as Cards, Collapses, and Tabs. Manage the logical grouping and state of internal components (e.g., collapse/unfold, activate labels).
Layout Engine:
- Based on CSS Flexbox/Grid:Utilize modern CSS layout technology to achieve efficient rendering of rows and columns. Browser compatibility needs to be dealt with.
- Drag-and-drop library integration:Use mature libraries (such as react-dnd, dnd-kit) to drag, place, and sort components. It is necessary to solve cross-container dragging, placement area judgment, and dragging performance optimization.
- Layout data store:Describe the page structure (component tree, attributes) using JSON or a specific DSL. Efficient serialization/deserialization needs to be designed.
3.2 Deep implementation of responsive design
Breakpoint Strategy:Define the screen width breakpoints of mainstream devices (e.g., < 576px mobile phone, >=576px tablet, >=992px desktop). Allows users to customize breakpoints.
Responsive rule configuration:
- Component-level response:Each component is configured to show/hide, dimension (span value), order (order), offset (offset) at different breakpoints.
- Style-level responses:Allows setting different CSS styles (inline styles or class names) for different breakpoints.
Windows Emulator:Integrate the device size switcher in the page designer to preview the layout effect on different devices in real time.
3.3 Component ecology and seamless integration
Core Component Library:
- Data presentation:Tables (with pagination, sorting, filtering), lists, cards, detail page components.
- Data entry:Integrate a powerful form engine renderer.
- Chart visualization:Integrate ECharts/Chart.js, etc., to provide configurable chart components (columns, lines, pies, maps).
- Navigation:Menus (sidebar, top bar), breadcrumbs, pagination.
- Feedback:buttons, modal boxes, notifications, loading indicators.
Component Communication Mechanism:
- Attribute Transfer:The parent component passes data/configuration to the child component (one-way data flow).
- Event bubbling:Child components trigger events (such as button clicks, form submissions), and parent components listen to processing.
- State Management (Complex Scenarios):Introduce lightweight state management solutions (such as Context API, Zustand) to manage state sharing across components (such as user information and topics).
Custom Component Extensions:
- Development specifications:Formulate component interface specifications (attributes, events, slots).
- Registration Mechanism:Provides a registry that allows developers to upload, publish, and share custom components (with metadata descriptions).
- Sandbox environment:Securely load and run third-party components (Web Workers, iframe isolation, code restrictions).
3.4 Page Management and Publishing
Page routing:Visually configure page URL paths, parameter mapping, and nested routes.
Permission binding:Associate the page/in-page ribbon with platform role permissions.
Release process:
- Pre-release validation:Automatically check for dependencies, missing critical configurations, and potential performance issues.
- Version Control:Generate a snapshot of the page version (structure, resources).
- Release strategy:Blue-green releases, canary releases, hot updates (static resources only). Support one-click rollback.
- CDN Acceleration:Automatically push static resources (JS/CSS/images) to the CDN.
Performance Monitoring:Integrate APM tools to monitor page load times (FP/FCP/LCP), API request time, and JS errors.
Fourth, the supplementation of key capabilities at the platform level
- Multitenancy vs. Isolation:Strict segregation mechanisms for tenant data, configuration, and resources (database schema isolation, logical isolation).
- Unified Identity Authentication and Authorization:Integrate enterprise SSO (OAuth2/SAML) to achieve fine-grained RBAC/ABAC permission control.
- Audit log:Document key actions (model changes, page publishing, data deletion) to meet compliance requirements.
- API Gateway and Integration:Provides visual API orchestration tools for easy integration with external systems (ERP, CRM). Manage API lifecycle, authentication, current throttling, and monitoring.
- Monitoring Alarms:Platform health monitoring (CPU, memory, disk), application performance monitoring (slow SQL, error rate), and business metric monitoring (form submission volume, process timeliness). Configure alarm rules (email, DingTalk, SMS).
- High availability and scalability:Microservice architecture, stateless design, horizontal scalability, database read/write separation, and database and table seating strategies.
The design of its core basic modules (visual form engine, data model management, page layout system) still requires product managers to delve into business details, balance flexibility and standardization, ease of use and power, and make appropriate combinations according to actual needs and R&D technical advantages.
Only by adopting modular design, clear abstraction, robust engineering practices (such as front-end and back-end separation and verification, logical foreign keys, responsive layout engine, componentized architecture), and complete platform-level support capabilities (multi-tenancy, permissions, monitoring, high availability) can we create a low-code platform that truly meets the complex needs of enterprises and has production environment availability.
