The <mysql> tag implements the support for Mysql. (See Section 19.39) As of this writing, Mysql is the only fully supported data store. Interfaces for other stores can be added by using formvista/src/wigets/mysql/msyql.php as an example. We had at one point attempted a database independent store based on the PEAR abstraction library but could not get acceptable performance from it.

Several very useful features have been built into the <mysql> tag including:

auto-generation of INSERT, UPDATE, SELECT and DELETE statements making maintenance of components much less tedious.
sql injection protection.
auto-generation of range and time series report WHERE clauses for time oriented reports (e.g. “total sales over the last year by day, week, month”)
auto-generation of LIMIT clauses for paged lists.

.5. Sessions

formVista implements it's own temporary and persistent session handlers.

Each component manages it's own session which is made available through the $SESSION{} variable. This pattern has enabled some very interesting designs.

.6. Naming

formVista has been designed from the ground up not to “take over” an application or page. Variables are named so they are unlikely to conflict with other applications.

formVista can be used directly from PHP webpages using the “simpleVista” procedural interface or from within other PHP applications. A full PHP object model is included.

.8. Theming

Components can be themed by designers without affecting the code. Code and Design are separated through the use of “template fragment files”.

.9. API

Full object model for extending the FVML language.

.10. DemoShell

Sample app to use as a starting point with complete user/group/grant administration screens pre-built.