Developing codeless applications
enables you to create codeless applications and libraries. As an administrator, you can create a new codeless application or library bundle within . Codeless bundles consist of definitions and data only, and do not include any Java or JavaScript code.
The following video (8:01) demonstrates how a small codeless application can be developed by using BMC Helix Innovation Studio.
The video shows an older version of BMC Helix Innovation Studio. The previous product name was BMC Helix Innovation Suite. Although there might be minor changes in the UI, the overall functionality remains the same.
Benefits of codeless bundles
- Develop applications and libraries without having to know or learn a programming language.
- Eliminate the dependency on a procode developer to build an application or library.
- Minimize the complexity of initially setting up an environment to build applications and libraries since a codeless bundle does not require setting up a full IDE, build tool, and source control system.
For instance you can export and save copies of your bundle to a file system that is backed up on a regular basis or if you prefer, you can leverage a source control system to check in versions of your bundle. - Construct applications quickly by using drag and drop visual designers to define the structure of your application.
- Easily maintain and modify your applications and libraries since the structure of your application is visually represented in the visual designers.
Custom codeless applications contain a universal entry point that is shared by all applications and includes an index.html file. Administrators are not required to include framework functionality that maintains a custom entry point in their coded applications.
The universal entry URL is formatted like this:
http://<host>:<port>/innovationsuite/index.html#/<applicationId>
Process for creating codeless applications
The following image shows the workflow for creating and promoting an install package from development or tailoring environments to production environment. However, BMC Helix Platform does not offer separate environments or server instances:
To create a codeless application bundle
- Log in to and navigate to the Workspace tab.
- Click New > Application.
The New Application dialog box is displayed. Specify the following information:
Field name
Description
Application Name
Enter the display name of your application. For example, Work Order.
Application Short Name
Enter the name of your application that will be used for unique namespacing of objects. Additionally, the short name is prefixed with a Developer ID to create the Application ID. For example, workorder.Important: Do not use any special characters or spaces in the application short name.
Group ID
We recommend using organization domain name in reversed format. For example, com.calbro.
Important: After setting the Group ID, you cannot change it.
Tip: We recommend that you do not use the com.bmc.dsm as your group id. The com.bmc.dsm group id is reserved for Lines of Business and BMC-specific bundles.
- Click Create.
A new application called Work Order with a default version of 1.0.0 is created in and appears in the Workspace tab as shown in the following image:
If your application fails to be created, see Troubleshooting-application-deployment-issues for information about the errors and workarounds.
To create a codeless library bundle
- Log in to and navigate to the Workspace tab.
- Click New > Library.
The New Library dialog box is displayed. Specify the following information:
Field name
Description
Library Name
Enter the display name of your library. For example, Work Order Library.
Library Short Name
Enter the name of your application that will be used for unique namespacing of objects. Additionally, the short name is prefixed with a Developer ID to create the Application ID. For example, workorder-lib.Important: Do not use any special characters or spaces in the application short name.
Group ID
We recommend using organization domain name in reversed format. For example, com.calbro.
Important: After setting the Group ID, you cannot change it.
Tip: We recommend that you do not use the com.bmc.dsm as your group id. The com.bmc.dsm group id is reserved for Lines of Business and BMC-specific bundles.
Library ID
The Library ID is constructed based on your Developer ID and your Library Short Name and displayed for your reference.
- Click Create.
A new library called Work Order Library with a default version of 1.0.0 is created in appears in the Workspace tab.
If your Library fails to be created, see Troubleshooting-application-deployment-issues for information about the errors and workarounds.
Approaches for extending codeless applications with custom coded components
When the out of the box components aren't enough to build your codeless application in the way you want, you can extend your application with custom coded components. There are two approaches to extend your application.
Approach 1: Build the custom coded components in a separate, coded library
- Create a new coded library in which to build the custom coded components. For more information, see Developing-and-deploying-code-based-applications.
- Add the custom coded component from your new coded library to your codeless application. For example if the custom coded component is a Process Action, it will appear in the Process designer palette that you can drag and drop into your process in your codeless application.
Approach 2: Convert your codeless bundle to a coded bundle.
- If you created your codeless bundle in your Tailoring environment, you need to move your bundle to your Developer Sandbox. Create an install package for your codeless bundle in your Tailoring environment. Then install the newly created package in your Developer Sandbox.
Create a new project using Maven in your IDE. When using Maven to create the project, set the property values (groupID, artifactID, version, name) in Maven to match the property values of the codeless bundle. This step presumes you have already setup your IDE. If you haven't, then follow these instructions to set up your IDE.
In your project directory, run this Maven commend to export the definitions of your bundle from your Developer Sandbox and store them in the project repository in your IDE.
mvn install -Pexport- Add the custom coded components to your application.
- When you are done developing the code and are ready to promote the new custom coded bundle to QA and Production environments, create a deployment package and deploy the custom code-based application to your Tailoring or QA environments in .
Where to go from here
Action | Reference |
|---|---|
Develop the codeless application by adding record definitions, view definitions, processes, or rules. | |
Create install packages to deploy entire codeless applications in development, test, or production environments. | |
Switch to the new UI of your codeless applications. |