Book Image

Building Low-Code Applications with Mendix

By : Bryan Kenneweg, Imran Kasam, Micah McMullen
Book Image

Building Low-Code Applications with Mendix

By: Bryan Kenneweg, Imran Kasam, Micah McMullen

Overview of this book

Low-code is a visual approach to application development. It enables developers of varying experience levels to create web and mobile apps using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic through a graphic user interface. Mendix is among the fastest-growing platforms that enable low-code enthusiasts to put their software ideas into practice without having to write much code, and Building Low-Code Applications with Mendix will help you get up and running with the process using examples and practice projects. The book starts with an introduction to Mendix, along with the reasons for using this platform and its tools for creating your first app. As you progress, you’ll explore Mendix Studio Pro, the visual environment that will help you learn Mendix app creation. Once you have your working app ready, you’ll understand how to enhance it with custom business logic and rules. Next, you’ll find out how to defend your app against bad data, troubleshoot and debug it, and finally, connect it with real-world business platforms. You’ll build practical skills as the book is filled with examples, real-world scenarios, and explanations of the tools needed to help you build low-code apps successfully. By the end of this book, you’ll have understood the concept of low-code development, learned how to use Mendix effectively, and developed a working app.

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Building Low-Code Applications with Mendix
Bryan Kenneweg | Imran Kasam | Micah McMullen
Feb, 2021 | 332 pages
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Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Preface
Preface
Who this book is for
What this book covers
To get the most out of this book
Download the example code files
Download the color images
Conventions used
Get in touch
Reviews
Learn more on Discord
1
Section 1: The Basics
Section 1: The Basics
Free Chapter
2
Chapter 1: Introducing Mendix
Chapter 1: Introducing Mendix
What is low-code?
What is Mendix?
Summary
Knowledge check
3
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Mendix Platform
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Mendix Platform
Creating an account
Home page overview and breakdown
Apps, People, and Community
Mendix Forum and Docs
Mendix App Store
Summary
Chapter 1 knowledge check answers
Chapter 2 knowledge check
4
Chapter 3: Getting to Know Mendix Studio
Chapter 3: Getting to Know Mendix Studio
What is Mendix Studio?
A breakdown of the UI and features
Why would you use Mendix Studio?
Summary
Chapter 2 knowledge check answers
Chapter 3 knowledge check
5
Chapter 4: Getting to Know Studio Pro
Chapter 4: Getting to Know Studio Pro
What is Studio Pro?
Downloading and launching Studio Pro
UI breakdown
Summary
Chapter 3 knowledge check answers
Chapter 4 knowledge check
6
Section 2: Building Your First App
Section 2: Building Your First App
7
Chapter 5: Getting Started with Your Baseline App
Chapter 5: Getting Started with Your Baseline App
Technical requirements
Managing apps in the Developer Portal
Using Mendix Studio Pro and the Mendix App Store
Working with modules in your Mendix app
Finding project settings, security settings, and preferences
Summary
Chapter 4 knowledge check answers
Chapter 5 knowledge check
8
Chapter 6: Understanding Domain Model Basics
Chapter 6: Understanding Domain Model Basics
Technical requirements
Understanding the different entity types in a Mendix domain model
Working with attributes and getting to know data types
Creating associations between entities to relate objects
Designing a database for your Mendix app
Summary
Chapter 5 – Knowledge check answers
Chapter 6 – Knowledge check
9
Chapter 7: Understanding the Basics of Page Design
Chapter 7: Understanding the Basics of Page Design
Technical requirements
Building user interfaces
Understanding the Atlas UI framework
Applying layouts, widgets, and building blocks
Calling a page in your Mendix app
Summary
Chapter 6 knowledge check answers
Chapter 7 knowledge check
10
Chapter 8: Getting to Know Microflows
Chapter 8: Getting to Know Microflows
Technical requirements
Understanding common microflow elements
Using decisions to navigate your application logic
Putting annotations in your microflow
Learning with Mendix Assist
Summary
Chapter 7 knowledge check answers
Chapter 8 knowledge check
11
Section 3: Leveling Up Your App
Section 3: Leveling Up Your App
12
Chapter 9: Customizing Your App
Chapter 9: Customizing Your App
Technical requirements
Having some fun with Mendix functions and expressions
Understanding sub-microflows – when and why?
Go (con)figure – configurable settings
Let's get some Java – Java actions
Summary
Chapter 8 knowledge check answers
Knowledge check
13
Chapter 10: Error Handling and Troubleshooting
Chapter 10: Error Handling and Troubleshooting
Technical requirements
Being defensive with your programming
Getting a handle on those errors – error handling
Channeling your inner lumberjack – logging
Stepping through it – the Debugger
Seeing it – developer pages
Summary
Knowledge check
Chapter 10 knowledge check
14
Chapter 11: Storing Data
Chapter 11: Storing Data
Technical requirements
Creating associations for your data
Building functional modules
Understanding generalizations and specializations of entities
Let's go make it!
Summary
Knowledge check
Chapter 11 knowledge check
15
Chapter 12: Getting Some REST
Chapter 12: Getting Some REST
Technical requirements
Understanding REST
Testing your integration
Consuming REST
Publishing REST
Understanding basic security and authorization
Let's go make it!
Summary
Knowledge check
Chapter 12 knowledge check
16
Chapter 13: A Review and What's Next
Chapter 13: A Review and What's Next
Reviewing the material
Preparing for the next steps
Summary
Chapter 12 knowledge check answers
Why subscribe?
17
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To get the most out of this book

Readers should have a basic understanding of object-oriented programming, either through experience with another language such as Java, PHP, JavaScript, and so on, or advanced usage of scripting in MS Office products or similar. Keep an open mind about the possibilities of low-code programming. Use the low-code platform to better understand and apply the concepts of object-oriented programming. Install Mendix Studio Pro and work along with the exercises in the book.

Any additional frameworks required by Mendix Studio Pro will be automatically installed when installing Mendix Studio Pro.

The screenshots and references used in this book are from version 8.18.1 of Mendix Studio Pro. Later versions of Mendix 8 will most likely be suitable to follow along in. There could be slight differences in UI/UX, but you should be able to still follow the exercises as outlined. Mendix 9 and beyond have a higher likelihood of having different layouts and design, but it is hard to say what those may be at the time of writing this book. Regardless, the principles and best practices described throughout the book do not change.

If you are using the digital version of this book, we advise you to type the code yourself or access the code via the GitHub repository (link available in the next section). Doing so will help you avoid any potential errors related to the copying and pasting of code.

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