Sep 18, 2024·1 min read

AppMaster No-Code Platform Updates | August 2024

Explore the latest updates and powerful new features in AppMaster's August Digest!

This August, we’re excited to share some game-changing updates that make AppMaster even more powerful and easier to use. With a focus on boosting platform flexibility, improving user control, and enhancing developer efficiency, these new features are set to take your AppMaster experience to the next level. Ready to explore what’s new? Let’s dive in!

1. Endpoint Scopes for Server Requests

We've introduced Endpoint Scopes to improve how Server Request blocks are generated. Previously, every endpoint was accessible across all applications in a project. Now, users can specify which applications have access to a particular endpoint. If unchecked from "All" and set for specific applications, the endpoint won’t be available to new apps by default. However, this is not a substitute for Access Control, so be mindful of that distinction. This visibility restriction also ensures that backend code generation takes into account app key constraints, preventing unauthorized endpoint access.

2. New Blocks in Web v4

Several blocks have been added to enhance Web v4:

Update Model Field: This block allows you to update a specific field within a model, providing flexibility across backend, Web v4, and mobile platforms.
Invoke Trigger: Programmatically trigger UI elements in Web v4, with the ability to loop triggers when needed.
Append and Prepend List/Grid: Easily append or prepend items to a list or grid in Web v4, streamlining dynamic content updates.

3. XML Sitemap Generation

In the backend, you can now automate the creation of XML Sitemaps and XML Sitemap Indexes. This feature helps enhance SEO by ensuring search engines can easily crawl and index your site’s structure.

4. Mathematical Block Handling with NULL

Design business logic visually

Model workflows in the Business Process Editor with drag-and-drop blocks.

Build Logic

We’ve reworked how mathematical blocks function when encountering `NULL` values. This update applies to backend, frontend, and mobile blocks, improving consistency and reducing errors.

5. Other Notable Improvements

Byte and Hex Handling: Web v4 now supports working with byte and hex values, offering more flexibility in data processing.
Visual Debugger: A visual debugger has been integrated into Web v4, making it easier to track and resolve issues in real time.
Minor bug fixes and other small improvements.

What’s Next?

Improve SEO with XML sitemaps

Automate XML sitemaps in your backend so search engines can crawl your pages.

Add Sitemap

August 2024 has been all about giving you more control, flexibility, and precision across the board. Whether it’s streamlining backend processes or adding new tools for dynamic content in Web v4, these updates make sure you have everything you need to build better apps faster. And this is just the beginning — stay tuned for more innovations on the horizon!

FAQ

Endpoint Scopes let you choose which applications in a project can use a server endpoint. New applications do not get access by default when you limit the scope to selected apps.

No. Endpoint Scopes control endpoint visibility and generated app access, while Access Control handles permissions and authorization. Use Access Control when you need to control who may call an endpoint.

Limit an endpoint to the applications that actually need it. This keeps unrelated apps from receiving the endpoint in their generated backend configuration and helps you keep project boundaries clear.

The Update Model Field block changes one field in an existing model without replacing the whole model. You can use it in backend logic, Web v4, and mobile applications.

Invoke Trigger lets your Web v4 logic start a UI trigger programmatically. It helps when an interface action needs to run after another action or as part of a loop.

Use Append List/Grid to add an item at the end of displayed content. Use Prepend List/Grid to place it at the beginning, which works well for newly received messages or recent records.

You can create XML sitemaps and sitemap indexes through backend logic. They give search engines an organized list of site pages, which can help those pages get discovered and indexed.

Math blocks now handle NULL values more consistently across backend, web, and mobile logic. Check your business process rules so you decide whether to supply a default value, skip the calculation, or handle missing data first.

Web v4 can now work with byte and hexadecimal values during data processing. This is useful when your application receives or transforms data that uses binary or hex formats.

The Web v4 visual debugger helps you follow application behavior while you test it and locate problems faster. Use it to inspect the flow around a failing UI action, then adjust the related logic or data handling.