Dataface 0.6.9r1 review

Dataface project makes web application development with PHP and MySQL a breeze. A flexible and intuitive User Interface for MySQL

License: LGPL (GNU Lesser General Public License) File size: 0K Developer: Steve Hannah

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Dataface project makes web application development with PHP and MySQL a breeze.

A flexible and intuitive User Interface for MySQL databases.

Dataface does for MySQL what Plone did for Zope. In other words, it is a flexible and shapeable skin that sits on top of MySQL (one of the world's leading Open-source database management systems) making it accessible to normal, every-day users. In practical terms, it automagically generates the appropriate forms, lists, and menus for a user to interact with the database without having to know any SQL (structured query language).

A full-featured web application framework.

Dataface gives developers the flexibility to customize the features and behavior of their Dataface application by way of configuration files (using the simple INI-file syntax), templates, and plug-ins. The real power lies in a developer's ability to customize as much or as little about the application as he wants. A generic Dataface application with no customizations is completely functional. However the developer is free to customize things at his leisure.

Here are some key features of "Dataface":
Intuitive and simple user interface designed for regular users (not only db admins). Uses Plone stylesheet.
Automatically and dynamically generated forms to edit and create new records.
Includes "Find" mode with form to search for records.
Includes "List" mode to see a list of records in a table or found set.
Labels and descriptions for form fields easily assigned using INI configuration files. Very simple to edit.
Validation rules defined using INI configuration files.
HTML and CSS styles and widget types can be assigned to fields via INI configuration files.
Widgets available: text boxes, text areas, select lists, check boxes, html editors, collapsable tables, auto completion fields, file upload widgets, hidden, static, and more.... (uses HTML QuickForm for forms).
Easy javascript sorting of results (using Plone javascripts).
Valuelists can be defined using INI configuration files. Valuelists are lists of values that can be used to limit input into a field, or provide options for selection fields like select lists and checkbox groups.
Relationships defined using INI configuration files. One-to-many and many-to-many relationships supported.
Allows users to easily add new and existing records to a relationship.
Allows users to easily remove records from a relationship.
Single Dataface installation can be used for multiple applications and sites.
Uses Smarty templating engine for easy customization of look and feel.
Provides simple API to interact with the database.
API allows developers to easily generate forms to add and edit records in the database.

What's New in This Release:
Modifed Dataface_MainTemplate.html to define the DATAFACE_URL javascript variable so that javascripts like the tree menu will work properly when Dataface is located on a different domain.
Corrected issues with AuthenticationTool to allow authentication modules to be created. Support for CAS module.