Adding a Custom User Interface
This introductory guide demonstrates in more depth how to use the View Designer to create a user interface. It builds upon the example created in the Getting Started Chapter. The source file is also available in the examples folder in your Xpress installation directory.
Covered Topics
- Soft Validation in the View Designer
The View Designer does not allow poorly structured views to be created and highlights errors in existing .vdl files. - Relationship of the Python Application and New View
The finished FICO® Xpress Insight app will enable a user to enter a preferred set of values and initiate optimization based on these figures. - Creating a View for the Python Portfolio Example
After creating the Portfolio Python application file, you can develop a new VDL view to provide the interface for users in Xpress Insight. - Binding the User Interface to Scenario Data
The View Designer features components that make it easy to access bulk model data. - Improve the Layout of the Form
The form currently only contains the basic details, this section will add columns to the Input Data table and move elements to make a more intuitive flow. - Adding Text Elements to the View
A Text component is used to insert text into any element that supports it. - Using Expressions to Update Text Elements
Expressions are statements used in place of fixed values for some element attributes. They are evaluated when the view is loaded, and then again should any data entities they reference change. - Adding Formatted Lists
As previously mentioned, expressions can be used to provide dynamic text content. - Charts in views
Offering a lightweight alternative to Tableau, charts can be embedded within conventional views using the Chart component or the vdl-chart tag . Chart data can originate as static, scripted data, or it can be retrieved from model entities. - Controlling Element Visibility Based on Results
If a user opens the app as it exists currently, the input data and un-calculated result values will be displayed by default.
Parent Topic
View Designer Overview