Core Concepts
Understand the fundamental concepts that power ForgeZap. This knowledge will help you build more sophisticated applications and make the most of the platform.
Platform Overview
ForgeZap is a developer-friendly no-code platform that combines visual design with powerful data integration and automation capabilities. Here are the core concepts you need to understand:
Applications
Applications are the main containers for your projects. Each application consists of:
- Components: Visual elements like forms, tables, and buttons
- Data Sources: Connections to databases, APIs, or files
- Workflows: Automated business logic and user interactions
- Views: Different screens or pages within your app
Components
Components are the building blocks of your applications. ForgeZap provides 15+ pre-built components organized into categories:
Form Components
Input, Button, Checkbox, Radio, Calendar
Display Components
Text, Image, Badge, Card, Data Table
Layout Components
Container, Separator, Tabs, Dialog
Data Components
Charts, Advanced Tables, Forms
Data Binding
Data binding connects your components to data sources, making your applications dynamic and interactive:
SQLite Database
Built-in database for storing application data. Perfect for user records, content management, and application state.
REST APIs
Connect to external services like GitHub, JSONPlaceholder, or your own APIs for real-time data integration.
JSON Files
Static data files for configuration, content, or sample data that doesn't change frequently.
Workflows
Workflows automate business logic and user interactions. They consist of:
Triggers
Events that start a workflow: button clicks, form submissions, data changes, or scheduled times.
Actions
What the workflow does: update components, save data, send notifications, or call APIs.
Flow Control
Logic to control workflow execution: conditions, loops, delays, and error handling.
Publishing
Publishing makes your applications available to users through shareable URLs:
- Public URLs: Each published app gets a unique, shareable URL
- Real-time Updates: Changes to your app are reflected immediately
- Responsive Design: Apps work on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
- Performance Optimized: Fast loading and smooth interactions
Workspaces
Workspaces are collaborative environments where teams can work together:
Team Collaboration
Invite team members with different roles: Owner, Admin, Editor, or Viewer.
Project Organization
Organize applications, share resources, and manage team permissions.
Key Principles
Visual-First Development
Build applications by dragging and dropping components, configuring properties, and connecting data sources - all through a visual interface.
Data-Driven Applications
Every component can be connected to data sources, making your applications dynamic and responsive to real-world data.
Automation & Workflows
Automate business logic and user interactions without writing code, using visual workflow builders.