DataModelBuilder
DataModelBuilder is an application with GUI based on Qt Quick and QVL plugin that allows to create and modify tree-like data models of any complexity and export them to JSON file which can then be loaded by any app which can parse JSON, but it is intended to be loaded using VL, DMBCore library or QVL plugin in any C++ or Qt Quick app.
Usage
Main interface
Main interface comprises such parts:
- Types library
- Data model content
- Top block with File menu and current opened file name
- Variable addition controls
Data view
Visual data interface (data view) consists of
- Variable lists,
- Variable fields.
Variable lists include:
- Types library,
- Content,
- Any container child nodes lists.
Variable field is a visual representation of a variable including
- Data value and type view,
- Edit controls,
- Interaction controls (selection, dropdown menu)
Edit controls
Rename
Edit value
Change type
Interaction controls
- Any field is selectable by left or right-click
- Dropdown menu is shown by right-click
Create a new DB
- Click on File -> New
- An empty db will be created
Save current DB
- Click on File -> Save
- Enter a new file name (if it is a first save)
Load DB from a file
- Click File -> Open
- Choose a JSON file from any location of your File System
Data model construction process
Any tree-like data model consists of two types of nodes:
- Branch
- Leaf
A data model graph
Branch is a type of a node that can have child nodes (leafs or other branches).
In VL terminology branch is called “container” and there are two types of them:
- List (contains ordered list of child nodes),
- Object (contains associative collection of nodes called properties).
Leaf is a node which opposite to a branch can’t have any child nodes. Primitive types in VL act as leaf nodes:
- Bool
- Number
- String
- Null
Creating a container
- Click on Add button of any container into which you want to add a variable
- Select Basic type -> Object or List
- Enter a new property name if adding to an object
New node will be added
Creating a primitive type
- Click on Add button of any container into which you want to add a variable
- Select Basic type -> Int / Bool / String / Null
- Enter a new property name if adding to an object
New node will be added
Create a new composite type
Create
Modify
You can
- change value,
- change type,
- change name,
- remove a variable
Through the context menu of a variable
To show the menu right-click on a variable field.
Container content
You can modify a container content by click on Expand switch and then on button Add
New variable will be added |
Instantiate an object of a type
By clicking Add -> Add a type instance on any container block you can select and instantiate a type from the Type Library
Into the content
Here we can see the previously created type “Test object” | If you add to an object then the Instantce creation dialog with a suggested name will be shown. You can enter any name that is not taken by any of object’s properties |
Into any container
You can instantiate a type into any container as described above.
Into the types collection
You can create a derived type inheriting it from another just instaniating it directly into the Types Library and then modifying.
The newly created type will have the instantiated type as a prototype (“Test object” in this case)