Create a Nuclos business object (BO): attributes and data types, reference fields, status model, actions, menu, tree view, rights, layout – step by step.

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light bulb Business object

The heart of every Nuclos application: business objects define your data model – table, forms and API are generated automatically.

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What is a business object?

In Nuclos all of your company's data is organised in business objects (BO). A business object corresponds to an entity in the data model – an abstraction of real things such as customer, article or order. From the BO, Nuclos automatically derives the database table, the forms and the REST/rule API.

A business object may – but need not – have a status model. Use it to model processes, e.g. ordered → delivered → paid.

Menu: Configuration → Business object

1. Create, edit, delete a business object

The first page of the BO wizard lists the existing business objects (filterable and sortable).

Deleting removes all data irreversibly. A deleted BO cannot be restored.

Step 1: overview and creation of business objects.

2. General properties

Step 2: general properties of the business object.

3.–4. Define and edit attributes

Attributes (fields) can be created manually or taken over from another BO or a database table. Set the order via arrow buttons or drag-and-drop; it is the default of the list view.

Step 4: maintain the business object's attributes.

Data types

Data typeJava typeDB typeLengthNote
Textjava.lang.Stringvarchar255Standard text field
Memojava.lang.Stringvarchar4000Multi-line text
Text (Large Object)java.lang.Stringclob2147483647Very long text
Integerjava.lang.Integernumber9Whole number
Decimal (9,4)java.lang.Doublenumber9Format via pattern, e.g. #,##0.00
Yes/Nojava.lang.Booleannumber1Mandatory, no null values
Datejava.util.DatedateFormat via pattern, e.g. dd.MM.yyyy
Reference fieldjava.lang.Stringvarchar255Reference to another business object
Lookup fieldjava.lang.Stringvarchar255Pick from reference BO, only the text is stored
E-mail / PhoneNumber / Hyperlinkjava.lang.Stringvarchar255/1000Special data components
Document / Image / Binary (LOB)blobFiles and images
Auto numberjava.lang.Integernumber9Automatically incremented
Encrypted textvarchar255Stored encrypted

Key attribute properties

Reference field / relation

A reference points to another business object or to an integration point. Options: cascade delete, search field (LOV) and a display pattern of concatenated attributes, e.g. ${kundennummer} - ${name}. A value list provider can be assigned across attributes.

Reference field/relation to other business objects.

5.–6. Actions, contexts and menu

With actions you design several layouts/processes for one BO (e.g. company vs. private customer). Contexts control which subform BOs the web client search includes. The menu path can be refined per action; with New? the input form opens directly.

Step 6: configure the menu.

7. Labelling and tree view

Title (window title/history/tree) and info (tooltip) are built from attributes + static text, e.g. ${kundenname} (${kundennummer}) - ${nuclosState}. In the tree view you embed referencing BOs as well as dynamic BOs and document attachments as child nodes (grouping, folders, reference fields).

Step 7: configure the tree view.

8.–10. Rights, translation and presentation

Step 10: configure presentation/layout.

Before creating, briefly plan the attributes and relations so the data model stays easy to extend later.

Related pages

framed picture Layout


Design forms.

Öffnen →

gear Status model


Model processes.

Öffnen →

open book Rule sets


Add business logic.

Öffnen →