Model the data

Introduction

A data class describes a kind of record your application stores, much like a table in a database. The tutorial needs one: GaApplication, a grant application.

Attribute Type Filled in by
ReferenceNumber String the submission workflow, for example GA-2026-0001
ProjectTitle String the applicant
RequestedAmount Double the applicant
ProjectDescription String the applicant
ApplicantName String the submission workflow, from the user's sign-in
ApplicantUsername String the submission workflow, from the user's sign-in
Status String the workflows: Submitted, Approved or Rejected
SubmittedAt DateTime the submission workflow
DecisionNote String the caseworker
DecidedBy String the decision workflows
DecidedAt DateTime the decision workflows

Casewhere adds system attributes to every data class, such as Id, CreatedAt, CreatedBy and CaseId. You don't add them yourself.

Create the data class

  1. Check that Grant Applications is selected in the product selector at the top.

  2. Open Data Classes in the menu, click Create and choose Data Class.

    The Create menu of Data Classes

  3. In Name, type GaApplication.

  4. Add the attributes. For each row of the table above:

    1. Click Add attribute. A new row opens with the cursor in Name.
    2. Type the name, press Tab, type the title (for example Project title), press Tab and choose the type.

    The Title is the label forms and lists show for the attribute. The panel on the right shows the selected attribute's other settings.

    The GaApplication data class with its attributes

  5. Click Save And Close.

    The Data Classes list

Look at the data source

Widgets and rules don't read data classes directly: they read data sources, queries that return the fields you choose, possibly joined with other data classes. When you save a data class, Casewhere creates a data source with the same name that returns all of its attributes.

  1. Open Data Sources in the menu. The list shows GaApplication.

    The Data Sources list

  2. Open GaApplication and choose Design. The tree lists the fields it returns: every attribute of the data class.

    The GaApplication data source

  3. Click Cancel.

The tutorial uses this data source for both lists: the applicant's own applications, and the caseworker's list of all applications. In Build the applicant portal you see how a list shows only the signed-in applicant's applications.

Next: Connect sign-in.