Getting started with Bambuu
Before you start out to build your new application, it will help if you sit down and plan out exactly what you want to do. This will save a lot of time and headaches later.
Database
The first thing to realise is creating a data based web application
is somewhat different to crafting a standard web site. The
principles are the same, but there are important differences that
need to be remembered.
Whenever data is involved in an application, you will need to have a proper structure and design for your database. Before you begin, think about the types of thing your application will do, and how the data should be arranged to achieve the goals.
For example, if you are building a small restaurant review site, what are the components going to be?
A list of restaurants. Check.
A list of reviews. Check. Each review will be attached to a particular restaurant (so we can say that each restaurant has 'many' reviews- one has many) and if they are submitted by the public, each review will have a particular owner (owned by user).
It is likely that you'll want to categorise the restaurants (e.g. Chinese, Indian, Italian) and perhaps even attach other types of indexes to them, such as location or Veg or non-Veg).
While the details will differ from application to application, the important thing to remember is to sit down and write down the full structure of your data before you start. In that way you will save a lot of time building the application and making it work properly.
Design
Design issues are also important with a data based application.
With conventional websites while you obviously need to think about
design elements and where they are placed, with data you also need
to remember the limitations of the page when trying to deliver
information to users. It's no good expecting that you can embed a
large table of your database records in a small sidebar, so try and
plan out the best layout for the data you want to display.
Keep it simple
You're not forced to make binding decisions with Bambuu, either on
the database side or design and layout, so you can experiment as
much as you like. Our advice, though, is to keep it simple. Just
because you can add something to a footer or sidebar doesn't mean
you should. Remember that your users are going to need a simple,
clear path to their goal, and the more clutter you add to a page -
and that includes too much text! - the more difficult it will be
for them to find it.
Using Bambuu
Once you're ready to go you will start off from the App Library
page where you can start to
create your new application, or edit or clone an existing
app.