This process looks for potential issues
that may arise when users cull data
from a commercial application.
In summary, the test steps are as follows:
1. Prepare the data in a common format.
2. Install WaveMaker community edition.
3. Use WaveMaker to auto-create a Web
form for data entry and update.
Server and WaveMaker Preparation
For novice users, WaveMaker’s Web site
fully describes how to prepare your
operating environment to support the
tool. The one key decision point is
whether to use the default HSQLDB
database. As part of installation,
WaveMaker includes the components
necessary to use HSQLDB. In this test,
let’s use the popular MySQL as the
database engine for the application.
First, let’s use a Debian distribution
to install MySQL. Let’s also use
phpMyAdmin to assist with database
creation and data manipulation. If you
want to follow along, check your distribution’s instructions to install MySQL
and phpMyAdmin, and make sure they
are running before you continue. Next,
download WaveMaker community
edition and follow the installation instructions here: dev.wavemaker.com/wiki/
bin/wmdoc_ 6.3/Install.
Preparation for the Test
After installation, let’s plan a simple
data export process to move into the
new environment. My research discovered that AlphaSoftware includes a nifty
export routine to send the data from its
own database to other formats. I tested
the export process with both text and
Microsoft Excel formats successfully. To
assist WaveMaker with field generation,
I included field names during export.
With the sample data in Excel format,
use phpMyAdmin through the browser
at http://localhost/phpmyadmin (or similar)
to manage the MySQL experience.
To minimize errors with data import,
a database and table were created in
advance. In Figure 1, a new database
called “linuxjournal” with a table
named “sheet” already is in place.
Next, let’s use the import tool to populate the new “linuxjournal” database.
Afterward, examine the database’s
structure to make sure the primary key
value and index are appropriate for
the test environment (Figure 2). In
this example, I avoided foreign keys
to minimize opportunities for errors.
WaveMaker includes functions for
database creation; however, the interface is not as familiar as phpMyAdmin.
Further, using WaveMaker to build
your data structure is an advanced
topic. Therefore, the simpler approach
is to stay with phpMyAdmin.
