Data Connection - General

Configure a database connection, enumerate tables / views, and preview data.

Remarks

The Data Connection General tab provides a unified workspace for configuring, testing, and exploring Data Connections in Grooper. This control is designed for solution designers and administrators who need to set up, validate, and preview database connectivity for use in lookups, exports, and other data-driven processes.

Purpose

Use this tab to configure the properties of a Data Connection, enumerate available tables and views, inspect their structure, and preview sample data. This enables you to verify connectivity, understand the database schema, and ensure that the connection is correctly configured before using it in production workflows.

UI Components

• Properties Panel:
  • Displays all configurable properties of the Data Connection in a categorized, interactive grid.
  • Supports inline editing, drop-down lists, and validation for connection settings.
  • Right-click to access context menu commands such as Clear, Reset, Copy, and Paste.
• Table List:
  • Shows all tables and views available in the connected database, including their names and schemas.
  • Supports selection of a table or view to display its columns and preview data.
  • May include visual indicators for table type or status.
• Column List:
  • Displays the columns defined for the currently selected table or view, including column name, data type, length, read-only status, and required status.
  • Helps users understand the structure and constraints of the selected table.
• Row Preview:
  • Shows a sample of row data from the currently selected table or view (up to 50 rows).
  • Allows users to verify that the connection and table selection are correct and that data is accessible.
• Toolbar and Buttons:
  • {load}: Enumerate tables and views in the database and display them in the table list.
  • {save}: Save changes to the data connection configuration.
  • {cancel}: Discard unsaved changes and revert to the last saved state.
  • Button states and tooltips provide guidance for available actions and indicate when unsaved changes are present.

Workflow and Scope

• The tab is available for any Data Connection node in the design tree.
• Edit connection properties in the properties panel to define server, authentication, and provider-specific options.
• Use the {load} button to enumerate tables and views, then select a table to view its columns and preview data.
• Save changes to update the data connection, or cancel to revert to the previous configuration.

Example

The following diagram illustrates the typical layout of the Data Connection General tab:

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ General                                {load} {save} {cancel} │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ {Properties}                 │   {Column List}                │
│ ┌─────────────────────────┐  │  ┌───────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Property Grid           │  │  │ id             int        │ │
│ │ - Server                │  │  │ invoice_no     string     │ │
│ │ - Database              │  │  │ date           datetime   │ │ 
│ │ - Authentication        │  │  │ amount         decimal    │ │ 
│ │ ...                     │  │  │ ...            ...        │ │ 
│ └─────────────────────────┘  │  └───────────────────────────┘ │ 
│───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│  {Table List}                │  {Row Preview}                 │ 
│  ┌────────────────────────┐  │  ┌───────────────────────────┐ │ 
│  │ Invoices               │  │  │ Row Data                  │ │ 
│  │ InvoiceLines           │  │  │ ...                       │ │ 
│  │ ...                    │  │  │ ...                       │ │ 
│  └────────────────────────┘  │  └───────────────────────────┘ │ 
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

• {Properties}: Edit and configure all properties of the data connection.
• {Table List}: List of tables and views available in the connected database.
• {Column List}: Structure and metadata for the selected table or view.
• {Row Preview}: Sample data from the selected table or view.
• {load}, {save}, {cancel}: Command buttons for loading schema, saving, and discarding changes.

Accessibility

• Fully navigable by keyboard and mouse.
• Contextual help and validation are provided for all properties.
• Tooltips and context menus offer guidance for available actions.

Advanced Features

• Live Preview: Instantly see the effect of property changes and table selection in the preview panels.
• Schema Exploration: Quickly enumerate and inspect tables, columns, and sample data for any supported database.
• Error Handling: Clear error messages and guidance are provided if the connection fails or configuration is invalid.

Command Buttons

Button	Shortcut Key		Summary
play_circle load		►	Enumerate tables and views in the database, and display them in the table list. The load button retrieves the list of tables and views from the connected database and displays them in the table list. Use this command after configuring connection properties to refresh the schema and update available tables. The button is only enabled when the connection settings are valid. Tooltips provide guidance on usage and error handling.
save save		►	Save changes. The save button commits all changes made to the data connection configuration. Applies edits to connection properties and updates the repository. The button is only enabled when there are unsaved changes. Tooltips provide guidance on saving and versioning.
cancel cancel		►	Discard changes. The cancel button reverts all unsaved changes to the data connection configuration. Restores all properties to their last saved state, discarding any edits made since the last save. The button is only enabled when there are unsaved changes. Tooltips provide guidance on canceling and data loss prevention.

Child Controls

Name	Type		Summary
Properties	Property Grid	►	Properties of the data connection. The Properties panel displays all configurable properties of the current Data Connection in a categorized, interactive grid. Supports inline editing, drop-down lists, and validation for connection settings such as server, database, authentication, and provider options. Provides contextual help and error messages for each property, ensuring correct configuration. Right-click any property to access context menu commands such as Clear, Reset, Copy, and Paste. Keyboard navigation and multi-property selection are supported for efficient editing. Use this control to configure all aspects of the database connection before loading tables or previewing data.
Table List	Table Info List	►	Displays a list of tables when the "load" command is used. The Table List control presents all tables and views available in the connected database. Each row displays the table name and schema, allowing users to identify and select the desired table or view. Supports single or multi-selection, with visual highlighting for the selected item. May include icons or indicators for table type or status. Selecting a table updates the column list and row preview to show its structure and sample data. Use this control to explore the database schema and select tables for further inspection.
Column List	Data Row List	►	Displays a list of columns defined for the currently-selected table. The Column List control shows the structure and metadata for the selected table or view. Columns include: Column Name, Data Type, Length, Read Only, and Required. Each row represents a column, providing details about its type, constraints, and editability. Supports scrolling and sorting for large tables. Helps users understand the schema and requirements of the selected table. Use this control to review the columns and constraints before previewing or exporting data.
Row Preview	Data Row List	►	Displays a sample of row data from the currently-selected table. The Row Preview control presents up to 50 rows of sample data from the selected table or view. Each row displays actual data values, allowing users to verify connectivity and data access. Supports scrolling and column alignment for easy review. Updates automatically when a new table is selected. Useful for validating extraction, troubleshooting configuration, and previewing export results. Use this control to confirm that the data connection and table selection are correct and that data is accessible.

Used By

Design Tab Host