What is Mendix?
Mendix is a low-code application development platform. Let's break down what that means:
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Application Development: Creating software like web apps, mobile apps, and internal business tools.
Low-Code: Instead of writing extensive lines of traditional code, you use visual models and drag-and-drop elements to build applications. This makes development much faster and easier.
Think of it like building with blocks:
Traditional coding: Similar to building a house by laying bricks one by one.
Mendix (low-code): Like building a house using prefabricated blocks or even whole rooms.
Why use Mendix?
Speed: Create working applications incredibly quickly compared to traditional development.
Collaboration: Mendix makes it easy for business experts and developers to work together on the same project, which ensures applications truly meet the needs of the users.
Flexibility: Applications built on Mendix can easily be expanded, updated, and connected to other systems.
Cloud-Ready: Mendix allows for both cloud deployment and on-premises solutions, providing scaling and security that modern businesses need.
What can you build with Mendix?
Pretty much anything! Here are some examples:
Customer Portals: Where customers can track orders, submit requests, view information
Workflow Automation Apps: For streamlining business processes, such as onboarding or approvals
Mobile Apps for Field Workers: Helping workers collect data, access information, or perform tasks while on the go
Modernizing Legacy Systems: Replacing outdated software with newer, more flexible solutions
Mendix online training Course Content
Mendix – Introduction
1. What is Mendix?
Explain Mendix as a low-code application development platform
Emphasize visual modeling instead of extensive traditional coding.
Key benefits:
Speed of development
Enhanced collaboration
Agility and flexibility
Real-world use case examples (customer portals, workflow automation, etc.)
2. Understanding Traditional Web Applications
Basic components: Frontend (what the user sees), backend (database, logic), communication between them.
Development approach: Programming languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, backend languages like Java or Python), frameworks.
Challenges: Development time, technical expertise required, limited collaboration.
3. Getting Started with Mendix
Creating your Mendix Account: Explain using a corporate account (if applicable), single sign-on options.
Mendix Studio vs. Studio Pro: Briefly touch on the difference between the free, browser-based modeler and the more advanced desktop IDE.
4. Mendix Academy: Your Learning Hub
Explore available courses: Introduction, beginner paths, focused specializations
Structured learning paths: Tutorials and resources from Beginner to Expert
The value of certification: Explain Rapid Developer, Advanced, and Expert Certifications, and their benefits
5. Mendix Versions: LTS & MTS
LTS (Long-Term Support): Stable releases with extended support for business-critical applications.
MTS (Mainline Track Support): Newer feature releases, more frequent updates.
Balancing Stability vs. Innovation: Helping understand when to choose LTS or MTS.
6. Mendix Architecture at a Glance
High-level Overview: Don't get too technical, but introduce concepts like:
Domain model (defining your data)
Microflows (visual logic workflows)
Pages (building user interfaces)
Cloud deployment options
7. Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)
The core concept: Planning, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance of a Mendix application.
Stages in ALM: Define the typical phases from the idea to a live, updated application.
Mendix Support: Introduce how Mendix tools aid with version control, environments, etc.
Mendix Development Process
1. Setting up Your Development Tools
Mendix Studio Pro: Introduce the full-featured desktop IDE:
Download and Installation process
Core functions (domain modeling, page creation, advanced microflows)
Benefits (offline development, deeper customization, third-party extensions )
Mendix Studio: Explain the online, browser-based modeling environment:
Accessibility (no installation needed)
Well-suited for rapid prototyping and collaboration
Limitations compared to Studio Pro
Recommendation: Start with Studio for exploration, move to Studio Pro for larger projects and more experienced developers.
2. The Mendix Marketplace: Accelerating Development
What it is: A central repository of reusable components, modules, and widgets created by Mendix and the community.
How it helps: Reduces development time by providing:
Pre-built functionality (e.g., charting, calendar widgets)
Connectors to integrate third-party systems
Starting points for complex features
Best practices: Evaluating marketplace modules for quality, fit, and long-term support before integrating them into your project.
3. Project Creation in Mendix: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting a New Project in Studio Pro:
Selecting a project template (blank, industry-specific, or from the marketplace)
Setting up initial project structure and naming conventions
Starting a New Project in Studio:
Similar process, highlighting any subtle differences that may exist online
Core Considerations:
Project Scope: What is the application intended to achieve?
Team Collaboration: Planning how multiple developers will work together (version control).
Mendix Version Control: Collaboration and Project Management
1. Introduction to Team Server
Mendix's Built-in Version Control: Centralized repository for your application's code and history.
Two Technologies: SVN and Git:
SVN: An older, but still supported option within Mendix
Git: The industry standard, strongly favored for most Mendix development
Key Purpose: Enabling multiple developers to work concurrently, track changes, and manage multiple versions of your application.
2. Inviting Team Members
Adding Collaborators: Grant access to your Mendix project with defined roles (viewer, developer, etc.)
Managing Permissions: Ensure appropriate levels of access control for code security and workflow efficiency.
3. Branching for Controlled Development
The Concept of Branches: Creating separate "copies" of the project code for isolated development of new features or bug fixes.
Mainline vs. Feature Branches: Distinguish the stable central codebase (mainline) from temporary workspaces (feature branches).
Merging Changes: The process of bringing changes from a feature branch back into the mainline with a streamlined review process.
4. Interacting with the Repository
Checking Out Code: Downloading a local copy of the current project version for development.
Committing Changes: Uploading your local code modifications to the Team Server, providing clear descriptions of the changes made.
Viewing Change History: Tracking the project's evolution, with the ability to compare versions and see who made modifications.
5. Upgrading Your Project
LTS & MTS Tracks: Understanding the implications of upgrading within a current Mendix version track (e.g., within Mendix 9.x)
Compatibility: Checking release notes and documentation to address any breaking changes that might require code updates.
Upgrade Process: Performing the upgrade within Mendix Studio or Studio Pro, managing conflicts if necessary.
Building Pages in Mendix
Understanding the foundation: Layouts
What are layouts? Templates that define the overall structure of your pages (header, footer, sidebars, content areas).
Types of layouts: Mendix offers several built-in layouts (sidebar, navigation, popup, etc.). You can also create custom layouts.
Choosing the right layout: Consider the type of page (dashboard, form, detail view) and how your users will interact with it.
Creating Your First Page
New Page: In Mendix Studio or Studio Pro, find the option to create a new page.
Select Layout: Choose a layout that matches your intended page structure.
Name your page: Provide a descriptive name for easy reference.
Populating Your Page: Widgets and Content
The Widget Toolbox: Mendix offers a range of widgets for building visual interfaces (text boxes, buttons, images, data containers, etc.).
Drag and Drop: Place widgets onto your layout in designated content areas.
Columns: Divide your layout into columns for better organization of content.
Buttons and Actions: Configure buttons to trigger microflows (logic), open pages, or perform other actions.
Role-Based Home Pages
User Roles in Mendix: Explain how Mendix defines user roles to control access and tailor the experience.
Creating role-specific home pages: Demonstrate how to duplicate pages and tailor content and access based on the user role.
Navigation Profile
Purpose of Navigation: Allow users to seamlessly move between pages in your application.
Adding Menus: Use Menu widgets to create navigational elements (top menus, sidebars).
Linking Pages: Configure menu items to link to specific pages.
The Domain Model: Your Application's Blueprint
What it is: The Domain Model is the core data structure of your Mendix application. It defines the objects your app works with, their properties, and their relationships. Think of it as a map of your business information.
1. Building Blocks: Entities
An Entity is a "Thing": A customer, an order, a product – they're all examples of entities.
Creating Entities: You give them meaningful names in Mendix Studio/Studio Pro (e.g., "Customer," "Order").
2. Defining Attributes: Giving Entities Characteristics
Attributes are Properties: An entity "Customer" might have attributes like name, email address, and order history.
Attribute Types:
String: Text values (names, addresses)
Integer: Whole numbers (quantity, age)
Decimal: Numbers with decimals (prices, measurements)
Date/DateTime: Dates and Timestamps
Enum (Enumeration): Predefined list of options (e.g., order status: "New", "Shipped", "Cancelled")
Boolean: True/False values (e.g., "Is Active")
3. Inheritance: Creating Categories
Like a Family Tree: Entities can inherit properties from a parent entity.
Example: You could have a generic "Vehicle" entity, then "Car" and "Truck" as specializations inheriting the basics from "Vehicle".
Why it's useful: Avoids repetitive data definition and keeps your model organized.
4. Associations: Connecting the Dots
How Things Relate: Associations define how entities interact.
Example: A "Customer" has a one-to-many association with "Orders" (One customer, many potential orders).
Types: One-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many.
5. Bringing it to Life: Overview Pages
The User Interface: Overview pages provide lists of your entities' instances.
Quick Actions: Add, edit, delete buttons are common features.
Data Views: Choose how to display your data (data grids, list views)
6. Making Selections: Dropdowns & References
Dropdowns (Enumerations): Let users choose from a list you defined (order status)
Reference Selectors: Select an existing object/entity instance (assign a customer to an order)
Reference Set Selectors: To choose multiple related objects (pick products for an order)
7. Stored vs. Calculated Attributes
Stored: Data is saved directly in your database.
Calculated: Value is determined dynamically using a formula (e.g., Total Order Price).
Configuring Application Security in Mendix
Understanding Mendix Security Levels
Off: No security applied. Suitable for early prototypes, but never for data-sensitive apps.
Prototype / Demo: Basic login, limited access controls. For demonstration purposes only.
Production: Full security required for live apps. Enforces fine-grained access controls.
Key Steps for Establishing Application Security
Switch on Security:
In your Mendix app, under 'App' > 'Security', switch from 'Off' to 'Prototype / Demo' (for initial setup) or 'Production' (for deployment).
Create User Roles:
Define distinct roles based on job functions (e.g., Administrator, Sales Rep, Customer).
Assign meaningful names to roles for easier management.
Define Module Roles:
Each module in your app can have its own set of roles.
Map User Roles to appropriate Module Roles to control access within modules.
Control Page Access:
Assign Module Roles to each page allowing only those with the right role to view the page.
Manage the visibility of buttons, navigation options, etc., based on the user's roles.
Manage Microflow Access:
For each microflow, specify which Module Roles have permission to execute it.
Protect sensitive logic and data manipulations.
Configure Entity Access:
Fine-tune permissions for each data entity (create, read, update, delete).
Restrict access based on Module Roles, ensuring users only modify data they are authorized to see.
Data Validation & Consistency in Mendix
1. Why Data Integrity Matters
Prevent Errors: Stop bad data from entering your system, leading to incorrect calculations, poor decisions, and frustrated users.
User Trust: Applications with reliable data instill confidence in users.
Maintainability: Clean data is easier to manage, improving your app's long-term health.
Business Insights: Only accurate data can give you reliable insights for decision-making.
2. Validation Rules: Your Data Gatekeepers
What are Validation Rules: Enforce constraints on data entered or changed by users.
Rule Types: Highlight examples and use cases for common rule types:
Required Fields: Prevent submission with missing key information.
Range Checks: Ensure numbers or dates fall within acceptable limits.
Format Validation: Match email addresses, phone numbers, etc.
Regular Expressions: For complex validation patterns.
Uniqueness: Enforce that values are not duplicated.
Custom Microflows: For even more specific logic when needed.
3. Apply Validation Rules
Domain Model Level: Rules that apply across the whole application.
Page Level: Validation specific to forms or data inputs on a page.
Microflows: Add validation checks inside logic for granular control.
4. Delete Behavior: Maintaining Data Relationships
Understanding Associations: Explain one-to-many, many-to-many relationships between entities.
Delete Behavior Options:
Delete: Allow deleting an object and its associated objects.
Do Nothing: Prevent deletion if associated objects exist.
Change Owner: Re-assign associated objects before deletion (example: reassigning tasks when deleting a user).
Impact on Referential Integrity: Ensuring related data stays consistent.
5. Best Practices
Provide Clear Error Messages: Guide users to make correct data entries.
Balance Strictness with Usability: Find the right level of validation to prevent errors without frustrating users.
Validate Early and Often: Check data as users enter it, and before major actions are committed.
Use Validation Assist: Explore this Marketplace module for streamlined validation management.
Custom Logic Generation in Mendix
1. Why We Need Microflows and Nanoflows
The Heart of Your App: Microflows and nanoflows define how your Mendix application behaves, bringing your data and pages to life.
Beyond UI: Handle actions that users trigger, process data, make decisions, and interact with other systems.
Visual Programming: Mendix simplifies complex logic using a visual, drag-and-drop interface instead of traditional code.
2. Microflows vs. Nanoflows: Choosing the Right Tool
3. Building Blocks: Microflow/Nanoflow Activities
Basic Actions: Create/Change objects, retrieve data, show messages
Decision Points: Make your app react based on conditions (If/Then logic)
Loops: Repeat actions on multiple pieces of data
Call Other Microflows: Build reusable logic units
Integration Activities: Connect to external systems (web services, etc.)
4. Configuring Your Logic
The Mendix Modeler: Drag and drop activities, link them in sequence
Properties: Adjust activity settings, such as what data to retrieve, or conditions to evaluate
Variables: Store temporary data throughout your flow
Mendix Query Languages: Mastering Data Retrieval with XPath and OQL
1. Introduction
Importance of Data Queries: Emphasize the role of effective queries in extracting, filtering, and manipulating data within your Mendix applications.
Mendix Query Options: Introduce XPath and OQL, explaining their different strengths and use cases.
2. Mendix XPath: Navigating Data
XPath Basics: Start with simple XPath expressions (e.g., //Sales/Customer/Name to select customer names)
Syntax and Operators: Introduce selection nodes, axes, comparison operators, and functions.
Use in Mendix Studio: Demonstrate how to use XPath in Microflows (retrieve activities), page data sources, and calculated attributes.
Practical Examples: Focus on real-world scenarios like filtering customers by location, calculating order totals, etc.
3. OQL: Power of SQL-Like Queries
OQL vs. SQL: Highlight similarities with SQL, and point out differences (using entity names instead of table names).
Key OQL Elements: Explain SELECT, FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY, GROUP BY using Mendix domain model terms.
Use in Mendix: Describe how to execute OQL queries in Microflows to populate datagrids, perform aggregations (counts, sums), and create complex reports.
When to Use OQL: Provide scenarios where OQL excels, like data reporting with aggregations and groupings.
4. Choosing the Right Tool
XPath Strengths:
Simple data retrieval by hierarchical location
Easy integration in specific UI elements or within microflows
OQL Strengths:
Powerful querying similar to SQL for advanced filtering and reporting
Greater flexibility for aggregations, and more complex data transformations
5. Advanced Concepts (Optional)
Mendix OQL Functions: Date, string, math-related functions
XPath within OQL: Using XPath expressions inside an OQL query
Optimization: Discussing performance factors when choosing between XPath and OQL
Mendix Required Modules: Understanding Their Functions
Introduction
While Mendix provides a core foundation for building applications, many widely used features are packaged into modules offered in the Mendix App Store. Let's explore some of the most common ones:
1. Community Commons
Purpose: Provides a collection of reusable building blocks, widgets, and logic to speed up development and reduce repetitive work.
Key Features:
Functional building blocks (e.g., various button types, date pickers)
Java actions for common tasks
Page and layout templates
2. Nanoflow Commons
Purpose: Extends standard microflows (Mendix's visual logic), with actions specifically designed for executing logic on the client-side (user's browser).
Benefits: Improved speed and responsiveness in apps, reduces server load.
Examples: Instant calculations, local form validations
3. Email with Templates
Purpose: Simplifies sending emails from your Mendix applications.
Features:
Easily design email templates using placeholders and variables.
Send emails directly from Microflows.
Support for attachments.
4. Excel Importer/Exporter
Purpose: Manages the import and export of data to and from Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx files)
Key Uses:
Bulk data uploads into an application
Creating user-friendly reports in Excel format
Initial data seeding after an app is deployed
5. Deep Link
Purpose: Enables opening specific areas or functions of your Mendix app from external links.
Benefits:
Seamless integration with emails, other apps, or web pages.
Contextual app launching to guide user actions.
6. Mx Model Reflection
Purpose: Allows you to dynamically interact with your app's domain model (data structures) within microflows at runtime.
Advanced Use Cases:
Creating generic and flexible logic
Building admin interfaces to inspect and manage in-app data
7. Encryption
Purpose: Protects sensitive data within your application.
Features: Encrypting and decrypting stored data.
Essential For: Applications that handle private user information, financial data, etc.
8. Data Widgets (Various)
Purpose: Pre-built UI widgets for easily displaying and interacting with data in your apps.
Examples: Advanced chart widgets, interactive maps, custom form elements, etc.
9. Mendix SSO / SAML 2.0
Purpose: Integrating Single Sign-On capabilities, allowing users to log in with existing corporate credentials.
Benefits:
Enhanced security
Seamless user experience
10. Workflow Commons
Purpose: Offers advanced business process modeling features and execution within Mendix.
Key Features:
Visual workflow design interface
Human tasks and approvals
State machines
Mendix Advanced Concepts
Module 1: Mastering Data Manipulation
Advanced XPath
Complex queries, nested paths, functions for calculations and transformation
Optimization for performance-critical scenarios
DataGrid 2: Deep Dive
Latest features (grouping, templates, advanced customization)
Real-world use cases: Dynamic reporting, master-detail views, interactive dashboards
Excel Import/Export
Handling complex data structures
Data validation, error handling, and user feedback
Use cases: Bulk data upload/download, synchronization scenarios
Module 2: Workflow Orchestration
Beyond Basic Microflows
Advanced activities (loops, exclusive splits, sub-microflows)
Complex state management
Asynchronous and background processes
Use Cases
Multi-step approval processes
Task scheduling and orchestration
Long-running transactions across systems
Module 3: Integrations & Communication
REST/SOAP Web Services
Consuming and exposing complex web services
Handling authentication and data security
Data transformation and mapping (XSLT or Java Actions)
Email Integration with Templates
Creating dynamic, personalized email templates
Triggering emails from microflows
Use cases: Automated notifications, reports, status updates
Module 4: Extending with Java Actions
When to Use Java Actions (Scenarios where built-in features don't suffice)
Development Setup and Integration (IDE configuration, debugging)
Working with External Libraries
Use Cases
Complex algorithms not achievable natively in Mendix
Building custom connectors for unsupported systems
Module 5: Robustness & Maintainability
Error Handling Strategies
Structured error handling (try-catch, error microflows)
Centralized logging and error reporting
Providing meaningful user feedback
Mendix Log Management
Understanding log nodes, log levels
Monitoring, filtering, and alerts
Troubleshooting techniques
Module 6: Platform Management
Mendix Upgrades
Semantic versioning, upgrade paths
Preparation, impact analysis, testing
Mendix Marketplace
Evaluating pre-built modules and connectors
Considerations for module usage (licensing, dependencies)
Publishing your components (if applicable)
Module 7: User Experience & Layouts
Atlas UI Framework
Responsive design principles
Creating adaptive layouts for different screen sizes
Menus and Navigation
Dropdown menus, navigation lists, breadcrumbs
UX best practices and accessibility
Going Mobile with Mendix: Offline Capabilities and Mobile-First Design
1. Why Offline Matters in Mobile Apps
Unreliable Networks: Users shouldn't be blocked by a poor connection. Explain how offline features increase app usability.
Field Service Use Cases: Think about workers needing access to data or the ability to perform tasks in areas with no connectivity.
Performance Benefits: Certain data can be loaded and synced during off-peak times, enhancing overall app speed.
2. Creating an Offline Navigation Profile
Step 1: New Navigation Profile: Walk through the process of creating a dedicated navigation profile within Mendix Studio Pro.
Step 2: Offline Home Page: Design a home page specific to the offline experience (what should the user see first with limited data)
Step 3: Configure Pages for Offline: Within the profile, choose pages that MUST be accessible offline and ensure proper data availability.
Step 4: Synchronization Rules: Set up how and when data is synced when the device regains connectivity.
3. Configure Mobile-Specific Pages
Separate Layouts: Explain using layouts with 'Phone' or 'Tablet' specializations to optimize for screen sizes.
Responsive Design with Atlas UI: Utilize Atlas UI's framework to make elements adapt fluidly to mobile displays.
Touch-friendly Components: Make sure buttons, links, and form fields are easily interactive on touchscreens.
Leverage Device Features: Consider how you can use the camera, GPS, or other hardware functions (only possible within native mobile apps built with Mendix)
4. Building Native Mobile Apps with Mendix
Brief Overview: Mention that Mendix allows for both hybrid web mobile apps and fully native mobile apps if needed.
Advantages of Native: Potentially better performance, deeper integration with device features.
React Native: Highlight that Mendix builds native apps using React Native technology, opening up customization options.
5. Testing Your Offline & Mobile Experience
Mendix Simulators: Use testing tools within Mendix to preview the offline experience.
Device Testing: Emphasize the importance of testing on actual physical phones and tablets for accurate assessment.
Offline Scenarios: Simulate losing connectivity and check if the app transitions gracefully and data syncing works as expected.
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