Applications
Understand how Appivo applications are structured
Applications
Every Appivo application is a complete, self-contained system that defines your application's structure, behavior, and user experience.
What is an Appivo Application?
An Appivo application is the comprehensive definition of your business solution. Think of it as the complete package containing:
- Models - Your data structures (database tables)
- User Interfaces - All screens and views
- Rules - Automated triggers and business logic
- Actions - Operations that execute when rules trigger
- Security Settings - Roles, permissions, and access control
- Features - Enabled capabilities and configurations
Every application contains everything needed to define how it works, from data models to user interfaces to business logic.
Creating an Application
Start a New Application
- Click Create New Application in the Application Builder
- Choose your starting point:
- Template - Start with a pre-built application
- From Scratch - Begin with an empty application
- Name your application
- Select target platforms (Desktop, Mobile, or both)
- Choose initial features to enable
- Click Create
Application Settings
After creation, configure your application:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Display name for your application |
| Description | Brief description of purpose |
| Platforms | Desktop, Mobile, Public |
| Default Language | Primary language |
| Features | Enabled capabilities |
User Interfaces
Your application can have multiple user interfaces, each optimized for different purposes:
Desktop UI
The primary interface for web browsers on computers. Designed for:
- Complex forms and data entry
- Full-featured dashboards
- Administrative functions
Mobile UI
Touch-optimized interface for smartphones and tablets. Features:
- Mobile-specific widgets (MButton, MTextField, etc.)
- Touch gestures and interactions
- Compact layouts for small screens
Public UI
Interface for unauthenticated users. Typically used for:
- Landing pages
- Self-service portals
- Public forms and submissions
Multiple Views
Each UI can contain multiple views (screens):
- List views for displaying data
- Form views for data entry
- Detail views for read-only display
- Dashboard views for visualizations
- Custom views for specific purposes
Features and Configuration
Platform Features
Every Appivo application includes these core features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Localization | Multi-language support for 8 languages |
| Integrations | Connect to external systems |
| Authentication | User login and security |
| Branding | Customize look and feel |
| Multi-Tenancy | Serve multiple customers |
Custom Features
You can create application-specific features that can be enabled or disabled:
Feature: Advanced Reporting
Description: Detailed analytics and custom reports
Status: Can be enabled/disabled per tenant
Configuration Levels
Configuration can be set at multiple levels:
- Application Level - Default settings for all users
- Tenant Level - Customer-specific settings
- User Level - Individual preferences
Environments
Appivo supports multiple environments for your application:
| Environment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| DEVELOPMENT | Building and testing new features |
| QA | Quality assurance testing |
| PRODUCTION | Live application for end users |
| LAB | Experimental features and prototypes |
| LOCAL | Local development (if applicable) |
Environment Configuration
Each environment can have:
- Different configuration values
- Separate databases
- Unique integration settings
- Environment-specific features
Version Management
Appivo tracks all changes to your application:
- Version History - See all previous versions
- Rollback - Revert to a previous version if needed
- Comparison - View differences between versions
- Deployment - Deploy specific versions to environments
Deployment
Deploying to Production
- Complete testing in preview mode
- Review all configuration settings
- Verify security and permissions
- Click Deploy to Production
- Monitor the deployment status
Deployment Checklist
Before deploying, verify:
- All features work correctly
- Data validations are in place
- Security roles are configured
- Integrations are tested
- Mobile UI is responsive (if applicable)
- Localization is complete (if multi-language)
Best Practices
Planning
- Plan your data models before building
- Sketch out user interfaces on paper first
- Define security requirements early
- Identify integration needs upfront
Organization
- Use clear, descriptive names for views
- Group related views logically
- Document complex business logic
- Keep your application organized as it grows
Testing
- Test in preview mode regularly
- Test with different user roles
- Verify all workflows end-to-end
- Test on target devices for mobile apps
Next Steps
- Quick Start - Build your first application
- Models - Design your data structure
- Widgets - Build user interfaces
- Security Guide - Configure access control