Understanding the Evolution of Data Sets

Given the sheer amount of structured data organizations have, finding a way to manage it effectively is critical. In Liferay DXP, we use a feature called Data Sets for structured data management that uses a no-code/low-code approach.

What Is a Data Set?

Let’s start with a definition. A Data Set is a new and recently-updated feature in Liferay DXP that enables users to interact with structured data efficiently. Data Sets provide a framework for displaying, managing, and customizing data within applications without requiring back-end modifications.

You can look at Data Sets from two different perspectives: the admin user and the end user.

Admin users configure the Data Set, define visualizations, manage item creation, set up permissions, and establish filtering and sorting mechanisms. End users interact with the Data Set through the UI, consuming the data in different formats such as tables, cards, or lists, and performing actions based on their assigned permissions.

Imagine designing a tailored experience for managing users on your platform. The admin user has full control over defining the available visualizations to ensure the most effective way to present data. Admin users can configure filters to refine user searches, such as grouping by department, creation year, or assigned permissions. Additionally, the admin sets the actions available for each user, from viewing detailed profiles with role-based permissions to editing records when authorized. The result is a seamless experience where end users interact with a customized interface designed specifically for their needs, equipped with all the tools carefully configured by the admin.

If, for instance, you’re a financial services company with a customer portal, you could use a Data Set to build a Customer Directory that shows a customer’s personal details, including first name, last name, date of birth, role, etc. Data Sets would give the admin user and the end user, the customer, control over how that data gets displayed.

Liferay Objects serve as the foundation of Data Sets, ensuring seamless integration and extensibility.

Recent Evolution of Data Sets in Liferay DXP

The latest updates to Data Sets improve both the end-user experience and the admin-user experience. 

Here are some of the new improvements:

• Multiple end user views. End users can now view and interact with Data Sets in three ways: through tables, still ideal for structured data presentation, cards, which offer a visually rich display, and lists, which are simple and flexible. This means users can tailor the way they see data to fit their preferences. And admin users can now select the fields they want to add to their Data Set through a treeview that makes selection easier. For example, a table visualization would allow  customers to customize their shopping cart view and sort items by criteria such as price, name, or quantity. Alternatively, a card visualization would highlight product images, making it easier to identify items at a glance. 

• Expanded action capabilities. Now, individual records can be modified using actions like edit, delete, or preview. The creation action also enables you to add new items dynamically, and bulk actions enable you to modify multiple records at once and improve productivity. These updates make Data Sets more adaptable to real-world workflows. Admin users can also help direct end-user behavior by using a link action that takes the end user to a designated place. Additionally, admin users can now add headless functionality that uses an API request to alter a database or even send a message in the body of a post, for example.

• Expanded filtering options. Selection filters now allow dynamic filtering, and date range filters help narrow results to specific time periods, improving discoverability. Additionally, if you need to create, for instance, a unique visualization filter, you can do that using a Client Extension.

• Redefined sorting options. Not only can you sort using classic icons, but admin users can also now add options across all visualization modes.

Data Sets: Improving Efficiency for Everyone

Now that the feature Data Sets has been officially released and updated, we’re excited for their potential to help organizations increase productivity internally and externally in managing structured data.

Whether you are building an Orders List view in an e-commerce platform, an inventory management system with stock levels in a supplier/vendor portal, an IT helpdesk request that shows the status of every item, or a list of available courses on an e-learning platform, Data Sets help you build actionable data for your users.