dbFront.com - Recent questions and answers in Features (Skip)

Answered: OPTIONS: Add support for (SSO) groups per database

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 20:26:21 +0000

The security is tied to the database connection. The primary reason for this is so that you can use an application-specific database-user to help limit and properly define the security for that application.

The intention is that for multiple applications you would create multiple database accounts (e.g. appHR, appCRM, appFinanceAudit, etc...) with each account focused on the needs for that application. This is true even if all of the applications are in exactly the same database and use some common tables.

Not only does that improve the application security, but it also means that dbFront has to load and manage fewer database objects per application.

Using a single database connection for multiple applications seems more efficient but it has the potential to create problems with separation of concerns, performance and security.

For those reasons I have decided to skip this request.

NOTE: As of dbFront 1.4.2, you are able to use the expression {IsGroupMember()} to manage table and row level security.

Answered: OPTIONS: External resources tab

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:40:53 +0000

The request was skipped since reasonable options exist.

Home Screen

Use HTML to add links to the Home Screen.

Table of URLs

Create a separate table that lists all of the URLs and descriptions.

OpenURL Action Buttons

Custom Buttons can be added to any table that will open a specified URL.

Custom Table Help

The Custom Table help can be set up with a list of extra resource URLs.

Answered: SKIPPED: Allow ranges on text field searches

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:42:03 +0000

Although a range search might make sense for some text columns, the nature of text fields is that their content can be extremely varied with patterns that don't always follow a simple sequence.

The existing ability to use wildcards, and if needed, full-text search, is still a good and flexible solution.

For more details on searching text columns see: Custom Text Search

For this reason I am going to skip this feature request. Please comment below if you think of reasons to pursue this further.

Answered: OPTIONS: Action on multiple rows

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 01:08:15 +0000

Although there is no built-in way to do what you suggest, several reasonable options are described below.

Record Selection Options:

You could use one of the following methods to allow a user to select or queue appropriate records:

Add a check box to the bill records, e.g. "Overdue". The check box is editable within the table grid, or
Add an action button that queue's the current record to a separate table of overdue items.

Processing Options:

Once the records are selected you can use one of the following methods to process them:

Add an action button to the customer table that directly processes the overdue records as previously selected, or
Add an action button that prepares (populates) and starts a Wizard and navigates to that wizard. https://dbfront.com/data-entry-wizard

Because these alternatives are simple and effective I am going to skip this feature request. Feel free to comment if you think of reasons why I should pursue this further.

Answered: OPTIONS: Zapier Integration with dbFront

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 04:41:40 +0000

The request for Zapier integration is very interesting but I believe a direct database integration actually makes the most sense and it is questionable if a specific dbFront to Zapier integration would add anything meaningful.

Zapier already has direct database integrations for two of the databases that dbFront supports:

SQL Server: https://zapier.com/apps/sql-server/integrations
MySQL: https://zapier.com/apps/mysql/integrations
Oracle (NOT DONE): https://zapier.com/apps/oracle-database/integrations

This request is similar to the request for IFTTT integration except that IFTTT does not have any database integrations.

NOTE: Please vote on this Feature Request if it is important to you along with a comment describing a use-case.

Answered: SKIPPED: Adding custom code to Javascript events

Tue, 26 May 2020 13:28:39 +0000

At the moment there is no ability to augment the javascript code in dbFront, either via a limited javascript API or by including your own custom javascript.

This is an intentional decision because dbFront is designed primarily for DBAs. In addition, opening a javascript API would make it much harder for me to modify dbFront in the future, for example, if I need to rebuild the web client to use newer technology. This is not an academic problem because there is already pressure to upgrade or replace the UI.

For this reason, my strong preference would be to suggest server-side solutions such as a calculated column or a view field.

If immediate field feedback is required then I can possibly resolve this by automatically sending certain field updates to the database along with a local refresh.

For all of these reasons I am going to skip this feature request. Feel free to comment if you think of reasons why I should pursue this further.

Answered: OPTIONS: Ability to create custom drop down lists on fields

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 12:56:02 +0000

You are definitely not the first person to request custom UI only dropdowns.

I understand the idea that it feels simpler since there is less work required at the database level. At the same time, I have to think that the database is the best place for these lists. Even if they are tiny. The reasons are:

Referential integrity,
Security,
Easy to extend with additional columns for help or extra detail,
Lists available for all systems that access the database, not just dbFront,
Easy and robust maintenance via the database or dbFront,
Makes the database more self documented...

In addition, dbFront now includes a table tool to quickly create a SQL script that will turn a table column into a lookup table.

I would very much appreciate hearing reasons why creating a lookup table is not the best solution. Please add those reasons as comments to this answer.

Answered: SKIPPED: Add a built-in backup to drive like Google drive

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:55:13 +0000

I think this sits outside of the remit of dbFront. This is adding a database administration function into what is essentially a great development tool.

There is a danger of trying to make dbFront do too much - I'd say stick to the development aspects.

Regards
Colin

Answered: OPTIONS: Email notifications on Insert/Update/Delete

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 18:10:48 +0000

For the scenario you describe I would recommend that you send out those notifications via your database server.

The reasons are:

Your database is in the best position to capture all database updates that should trigger the notification.
The database has the capability to capture and format the records that need to be sent.
If needed dbFront can save the currently logged in user as part of any record updates. See: https://dbfront.com/auditvalues

You can setup your database server to mail as follows:

SQLServer: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/database-mail/configure-database-mail?view=sql-server-2017
Oracle: http://www.dadbm.com/enable-oracle-database-to-send-emails-via-smtp-server/
MySQL: Does not have the built-in functionality to send email.

NOTE: Another feature request exists for emailing Action Button results. Action Button Email