Create and update view

The create and update views allow users to create and modify instances for entity types. In the following sections, you’ll find a more in depth explanation of how these views are configured and customized. As the configuration of these views can overlap, configuration can also be applied to both of these views at the same time. To do so, you can use the createOrUpdateView method on the EntityConfigurationBuilder or EntityAssociationBuilder.

public void configure(EntitiesConfigurer entities)
{
    entities.withType( Book.class )
            .createOrUpdateFormView( fvb -> fvb.showProperties( ".", "~publication" ) ); (1)
}

1	Show the previously selected properties but exclude publication.

Create view

A create view enables the user to create a new instance for an entity type. This view can only be accessed if the user has the AllowableAction.CREATE action on the EntityConfiguration of the type. By default, it will render all the writable properties in ViewElementMode.FORM_WRITE.

A create view will have no references to other forms by default, but only controls for the properties that should be rendered and the ability to save.

Configuring a create view

public void configure(EntitiesConfigurer entities)
{
    entities.withType( Book.class )
            .createFormView( fvb -> fvb.showProperties( ".", "~publication" ) ); (1)
}

1	Show the previously selected properties but exclude publication.

Table 1. Default settings
View name	createView
Required action	`AllowableAction.READ`
ViewElementMode	`ViewElementMode.FORM_WRITE`
Default property selector	`EntityPropertyDescriptor.WRITABLE`

Update view

The update view enables the user to modify an existing instance for an entity type. It can only be accessed if the user has the AllowableAction.UPDATE action. It is the default entry point to manage the instance for an entity and provides the following:

links to associated entities: By default, tabs are generated for properties that are ManyToOne / OneToMany and ManyToMany relationships.
link to the deleteView for the instance: Usually visualized as a garbage-bin icon at the top right of the navigation bar.
ability to modify the current entity: A save button is provided which modifies the current entity.
links to other registered views/urls: By intercepting the EntityAdminMenuEvent additional menu items can be configured which will be accessible via the navigation bar.

Configuring an update view

public void configure(EntitiesConfigurer entities)
{
    entities.withType( Book.class )
            .updateFormView(
                fvb -> fvb.properties(
                            props -> props.property( "author" ).writable( false ) (1)
                          )
                          .showProperties( ".", "author" ) (2)
            );
}

1	Author may not be modified on the update view. By making the author non-modifiable it will not be shown on the form by default, as the view is configured with `ViewElementMode.FORM_WRITE`
2	Show all the previously configured properties and also show author. This will render a read-only version of author.

Table 2. Default settings
View name	updateView
Required action	`AllowableAction.UPDATE`
ViewElementMode	`ViewElementMode.FORM_WRITE`
Default property selector	`EntityPropertyDescriptor.WRITABLE`

Create and update view

Create view

Update view

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