Overview
With the release of Construct Preview, we’re introducing significant changes to how you reference and manage data within the application. A major shift is the adoption of the Syniti Knowledge Platform’s (SKP) Dataset model, which serves as the foundation for all data interactions in Construct Preview.
In this model, Datasets will represent references to either database tables or views instead of direct Data Source connections like in the prior version of Construct. This change improves flexibility and consistency in how you access and update data. You will now create datasets from the underlying database structure—either from a table or a view.
Key Points to Remember
For the most part, existing methodologies and naming conventions can remain unchanged in Construct Preview.
Tables, filters, and other familiar components can still use the same names and logic structures you are accustomed to.
Construct Preview uses a concept of containers to define a page’s content and layout.
Note that the prior version of Construct has already switched to Datastores, and Construct Preview can use that same Datastore.
Tables and list views must now be created as Datasets within SKP.
Note
When using a view, you must specify the name of the affected table in the dataset details to ensure that updates are correctly applied to the underlying data.
Validations and procedures will continue to work as they have before and do not need to be converted into datasets. This allows you to maintain your current workflows with minimal disruption.
Construct Preview Dataset Naming Conventions
Data | Naming Convention in Construct | Naming Convention in Construct Preview |
|---|---|---|
Table Filter | tt* | The same table name can be registered as Dataset. |
Horizontal Filter | web*Hor | You can create a dataset from the fields in a single view. Be sure to set the affected table for the dataset to the table that holds the data you want to manage on the page. |
Vertical Filter | web*Ver | Use the same name, but the data must be a Table dataset. |
List Filter | web*List | The same view name can be registered as Dataset. |
Procedure Filter | web* | The same view name can be registered as Dataset. |
Validation Filter | web*Val | The same view name can be registered as Dataset. |
Event Parameter Filter | web*Evt | Not supported yet. |
Defaults Filter | web*Def | Not supported yet. |
User Control Filter | web*Ucv | Not supported yet. |
Page Control Filter | web*Pcv | Not supported yet. |
Data Control Filter | web*Dcv | web*Ccd. Refer to Conditional Configuration Dataset for more information. web*Dcv is also supported for backward compatibility. |
List Control Filter | web*Lcv | Not supported yet. |
Parameter Filter | web*PV | Not supported yet. |
Toolbar Filter | web*Tbv | Not applicable. Replaced with Toolbar buttons. Refer to Configure Toolbar Buttons for more information. |
Tooltip Filter | web*Dtv | Not supported yet. |
Construct Preview Component Naming Conventions
Use the naming conventions below for the components used in Construct Preview.
Component Type | Naming Convention | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Container | con{pagelocation} | conUpperLeft, conTop, conBottom |
Tab Container | tab* | tab1, tabOrders, tabOrderDetails |
Grids | grd* | grdOrders, grdCustomers (in Plural) |
Properties Card | crd* | crdOrder, crdCustomer (in Singular) |
Charts | chrt* | chrtOrdersByMonth |
Events | evt* | evtSendEmail |
Construct Preview Page Component Comparisons
Old Component | Comparable Feature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Horizontal View | Grid | Presentation of Multiple Records in a Grid. |
Vertical View | Property Card | Presents a single record of data. Construct Preview does not support fly-out functionality at this time. |
Labels | Not supported yet | Collapsible sections in a vertical view. |
Tabs | Tab Container | In the legacy Construct, a Tab was another way of segmenting a Vertical view of data. In Construct Preview, a Tab Container is a presentation-management container that can have one or more containers of any type. |
Header Detail Page | Container | Use the FlowVertical layout option, then add Grid or Property Card containers for your Header and Detail components. |
Multiple Detail Pages | Tab Container that contains multiple Grids or Property Cards. | In the legacy Construct, you created separate Dynamic pages that could be linked from the Header page. In Construct Preview, these are implemented as separate containers on the same page. |
Reserved Word Updates
Refer to Reserved Words in Construct Preview for a complete list of reserved words available in Construct Preview.