Introducing Perspectives 10.0

By Kristin Petersen on September 14, 2021

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Kristin Petersen

Kristin Petersen

Content Manager

Working with Data
in Perspectives 10.0

Perspectives 10.0 includes multiple features that streamline the development process. 
 
First, automatic binding reads a graph database, translates the data, and automatically adds it to the model. Integrators automatically bind query results to elements in the model for: Amazon Neptune, Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB, Neo4j, OrientDB, and Apache TinkerPop. Developers can explore a graph database without creating a schema or manually defining the data bindings—a task that used to take significant time for more complex schemas. 
 
Quickly connect to a graph database, add data to the model, and bind the query results using Perspectives 10.0.
 
Next, dynamic domains save development time and reduce the possibility of errors during rule sheet duplication. In the past, developers created rule sheets for each item type in a database. This resulted in lots of duplication and lots of potential errors—especially for graph databases.  In Perspectives 10.0, domain creation can be automatic and developers can apply a single rule sheet to each one. This allows developers to think more globally when creating an effective Perspectives visualization application.

Schema Improvements in Perspectives 10.0

To produce effective, accurate graph visualizations, you must first define the schema. A schema acts as a blueprint that defines the structure of data. In the past, schema definition could be both complicated and time consuming. Where previous versions of Perspectives have improved the process significantly, by adding schema extraction for example, Perspectives 10.0 goes even farther. 

Our latest release features a sleek new interface for defining and viewing schemas. The new schema editor has a drawing view and inspector view and displays all models as graph models. This makes it exponentially easier for developers to design and implement their schema—and in far less time. Additionally, a native graph in-memory model now supports fast access to related model elements without the need for lookup functions. This provides a greatly simplified way to create a drawing view from your data without having to manually define IDs for edges’ end nodes.

The new Schema Editor displays all models as graphs in Perspectives 10.0.
The new schema editor displays the structure of the data that is in the model in Perspectives 10.0
To provide an easier way to interact with the Perspectives model programmatically, the 10.0 release includes a schema code generator. This tool takes a schema as input and creates a Java domain object model as output. 
 
Optionally, the schema code generator can add object-data mapping via Spring Data support, making it easier for the generated model to communicate with a database system. The Spring Data repository interfaces support CRUD operations with the database system and are generated for each model element type. This gives developers an alternative way to fetch data from a database system to a model, and store data from a model to a database system.
2021.09.02.0.schemaCodeGenerator
In Perspectives 10.0, the schema code generator provides an easier way to interact with the Perspectives model programmatically. 
Schema inheritance better supports extensibility and reuse of schema objects through generalization, multiple inheritance, and redefinition. Plus, you can now use schema inheritance in views, and apply different actions for objects in different levels of the inheritance hierarchy.
In Perspectives 10.0, use Schema Inheritance to apply different actions for objects in different levels of the inheritance hierarchy.
In Perspectives 10.0, use schema inheritance to apply different actions for objects in different levels of the inheritance hierarchy.

New graph model tools offer a more effective way of working with graph databases. With the change to a native graph in-memory model, editing tools have been improved to offer a more effective way of working with graph databases.

Development Upgrades in Perspectives 10.0

Previously, custom code was required to filter the attributes shown in the inspector view. In Perspectives 10.0, the Designer dynamically configures any filtering. With dynamic attribute inclusion, the attributes are automatically detected when you select one or more elements in another view and then included in the inspector view. This feature is useful if all attributes are not known at design time. The cell renderer, which controls how the value is displayed in the table cell, is automatically determined based on the value type. You can make the values editable with the new Dynamic Attributes Editable option.

In Perspectives 10.0, the Designer dynamically configures any filtering in the Inspector view.
In Perspectives 10.0, the Designer dynamically configures any filtering in the inspector view.

New REST services in Perspectives 10.0 offer developers a simpler learning curve and an easier way to transition from working with application data to application settings. REST, or Representational State Transfer, is the most common way for applications to communicate. Previously, TSModel was Java API only. Now, with a standardized REST web API, developers can transfer data much quicker and without the need for custom code.

The new REST view represents the model as a RESTful web service to improve interoperability between the server-side component of Perspectives and other Tom Sawyer Software or third-party components. It is useful for custom widgets and forms. 

In Perspectives 10.0, a REST integrator supports schema extraction for a Swagger endpoint that uses the OpenAPI Specification (OAS).
In Perspectives 10.0, the new REST view provides RESTful web service methods in order to access the in-memory graph model
Finally, a new simplified framework reduces the amount of code needed to write a custom action item and lets you implement the same code for web and desktop implementations. 

Upgrade to Perspectives 10.0 Now

Existing users can simply check their e-mail and use the provided link to access our Download Products page. After signing in, follow the prompts to download the latest version. You can find additional information in the Upgrading section of the documentation.

New users can request a free trial. You’ll receive our software and complete product documentation.

Enjoy! Reach out to us with any questions or feedback—we’re always happy to hear from you.

About the Author

Kristin Petersen is the Marketing Content Manager at Tom Sawyer Software. She has 17+ years of technical writing and editing experience in both the public and private sector, and transitioned into Marketing where she brings her strong technical background, writing experience, and creativity. She earned her Master of Science in Technical Communication from Drexel.

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