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Audience: Low‑code builders (Dynamic Content Editor) and developers wiring dynamic actions / elements.

0. Why The Data Hub Exists

App composer components often need lightweight shared state for itself, boardlet to boardlet communication (app scope) or app to app communication(global). In earlier iterations we used "global parameters" (added to the URL / shared via route state) for cross‑element exchange. That approach has limits:

Legacy Global Parameters LimitationImpact
Mostly primitive / flat valuesHard to pass rich objects (forced JSON stringify hacks)
Coupled to URL (exposed)Internal keys visible & bookmarkable unintentionally
Risk of leaking internal / sensitive namesNeeded obfuscation / naming discipline
Hard to scope (effectively global only)Accidental cross‑app collisions
Navigation side‑effectsChanging a value could dirty browser history

Data Hub solves these by offering an in‑memory, non‑URL, structured store with three explicit scopes and predictable precedence.

The Data Hub provides:

  • Zero‑config ephemeral state (in‑memory, auto‑clears on reload)
  • Simple key/value API with three intention‑revealing scopes (Local → App → Global) to minimise accidental coupling
  • Deterministic merge & precedence so templates stay concise (<span v-pre>{{ someKey}}</span> just works with local override semantics)
  • Event reactivity through ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE so elements can react declaratively when relevant data changes
  • A uniform contract consumed by the Dynamic Rendering Context so all dynamic elements read state the same way

Use it whenever you need temporary data sharing between actions or elements—especially for richer values you do NOT want in the page URLtransient cross‑action or cross‑element data that does not warrant persistence or a domain signal store.

1. When To Use (Decision Guide)

SituationUse Data Hub?ScopeRationale
Store last clicked table row for the same widget or filters used on by one boardletYesLocalHighest precedence, isolated by Content Id
Share a filter across several widgets within one micro‑appYesAppLimited blast radius; survives page navigation inside the app
Share a settings across two apps (navigate to shared dashboard in another app)YesGlobalSurvive page navigation between app
Large dataset / pagination cacheNo—Use dedicated data service / API caching
Long‑term preferencesNo—Persist via backend or local storage layer

Rule of thumb: Start as Local, promote to App only when two or more contents collaborate, promote to Global only if truly cross‑app.

2. Core Mental Model

Three maps exist simultaneously:

  • Global Map (singleton for the session)
  • App Map (namespaced by current appKey)
  • Local Map (namespaced by contentId)

When something on the page runs, the system builds a usable "context" made from Global, then App, then Local data (Local beats App, App beats Global if the same key exists). So if selection exists in Local, that one shows; otherwise it falls back to App, then Global. You can still explicitly read each scope: local.selection, app.selection, global.selection.

Additional always‑present helper keys:

KeyDescription
contentIdCurrent dynamic content instance id
appKeyCurrent application key (micro‑app)
globalFull global map
appApp map for current appKey
localLocal map for current contentId

At render time they form the Dynamic Rendering Context:

context = {
  ...Global, ...App(appKey), ...Local(contentId),      // Flattened (precedence Local > App > Global)
  global: Global,
  app: App(appKey),
  local: Local(contentId),
  contentId,
  appKey,
  // further helpers (environmentOrigin, etc.)
}

Therefore a key like selection can exist at all three scopes. selection resolves to the Local value if present; if not then selection will come from App and then finally from Global. Scope (local, app, global) value always remains accessible via <scope>.selection.

3. How To Set Values (Action Editor)

Chain Dynamic Actions:

Action (Editor)Scope Impact
Local Data Hub: Set ValueMutates Local map for target contentId (calculated automatically)
App Data Hub: Set ValueMutates App map for inferred appKey
Global Data Hub: Set ValueMutates Global map

Each Set action defines a Parameters Map (rows). For each row you specify: Target Key, Source Type, Value/Expression.

Supported Source Patterns

...

Source TypeExample InputWhat You GetResult
LiteralPlain text / number / booleantrueboolean true
Literal + \{\{variables\}\}Username \{\Text with placeholdersUser: {{global.currentUser.name\}\}Replaced with actual user nameUsername John

Merge Semantics (Per Key)

Existing ValueNew ValueResult
(absent)anyCreated
Plain objectPlain objectShallow merge (new props overwrite)
Anything elseanythingReplacement

Tip: Replacing an object but keeping stale nested fields? First set the key To force a full replace of a nested object, first set it to null, then set the new object.

4. Reading Values

  1. Direct in app composer components: <span v-pre>{{ selection.rowId }}</span> or explicit <span v-pre>{{ local.selection.rowId }}</span>
  2. Via Get actions inside an action chain when an intermediate action (e.g. API Invoke) needs the value.

Prefer direct template access; use Get sparingly to keep chains lean.

5. Reactivity With ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE

ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE lets an element automatically fire an action chain whenever any Data Hub value changes (Local, App, or Global). Add it only where you need automatic reactions.

5.1 What Triggers It?

Whenever a Set/Remove/Clear action actually changes a value (not just writing the same thing again).

5.2 Payload Structure

Inside the chain you can directly use the same placeholders as in templates. All flattened keys are available (with Local taking precedence). You can still reach the exact scope using local.<key>, app.<key>, or global.<key>.

...

is an element event you can attach actions to. Behind the scenes each dynamic element subscribes to the Data Hub state if (and only if) it declares this event. On any change (global/app/local) the element receives an event payload shaped like:

{
  "elementContext": "<the element's own context() snapshot>",
  ...local,
  ...app,
  ...global,
  "local": { /* local scope map */ },
  "app": { /* app scope map */ },
  "global": { /* global scope map */ }
}

Use cases:

  • Auto refresh detail panel when selection changes elsewhere
  • Trigger conditional API pre‑fetch prefetch when a prerequisite key appears (e.g. rowDetails after selection set)
  • Cascade enrichment: selection → fetch → store → label updates

5.4 Filtering Inside the Chain

Because the event fires for ANY change, always gate expensive logic:

  1. Add a Condition action checking the key(s) you care about.
  2. (Optional) Maintain a previous snapshot locally: store lastProcessedSelection and compare.

Example condition idea: Only continue if the row actually changed. You could store lastProcessedSelection locally and compare {{ selection.rowId !== (lastProcessedSelection?.rowId) }}; then update lastProcessedSelection at the end.

5.5 Performance Considerations

  • Namespacing keys keeps unrelated changes from touching objects you depend on.
  • Avoid putting everything in one huge object (split into smaller keys like selection, selectionMeta).

5.6 When NOT To Use The Event

Best Practices:

  • Scope your follow‑up actions: check for the specific key change (e.g. by storing a hash or using a Condition action) to avoid redundant work.
  • Avoid chaining expensive API calls on every minor unrelated key update; consider isolating keys by namespacing.Display‑only: if a component just shows context values you usually do not need ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE; the rendering system already re‑supplies updated context. Use the event only for side effects (API calls, further Set actions, navigation, dialogs, etc.).

6. Practical Recipes

6.1 Store a Table Selection (Local)

Row Click → Local Set (selection = JSON Interpolated: { "rowId":"<span v-pre>{{clickedRow.id}}</span>", "ts":"<span v-pre>{{timestamp}}</span>" })

6.2 Use Selection In Button API Call

Button Click chain:

  1. Local Get (selection)
  2. Check context change (selection)
  3. API Invoke (body includes <span v-pre>{{selection.rowId}}</span>)
  4. Local Set (rowDetails = response)

6.3 Shared Filter Across Widgets

Input Change → App Set (activeFilter = user input). All boardlet reference activeFilter or app.activeFilter. Boardlet can also listen for On Data Hub Change

6.4 React To Data Changes

Add event ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE to a panel element; first action checks if selection actually changed; next action fetches details and stores them.

6.5 DynamicLabel Examples

A. Show A Value Stored In Data Hub

  1. A table row click sets Local key currentRow = { "id": "{{clickedRow.id}}", "name": "{{clickedRow.name}}" }.
  2. In the label text field use: Selected: {{currentRow.name}}.
  3. The label updates immediately after the Set action (no extra event needed).

Result: Label updates automatically after the Set action without needing ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE.

B. Prevent Flicker With Progressive Loading

  1. Set placeholder: Local Set currentRow = { "name": "Loading..." }.
  2. Run API action.
  3. On success Set currentRow again with real data.
  4. Label swaps from placeholder to real content.

C. Access Scoped Values Explicitly

If both global.currentUser and Local currentUser exist: Welcome {{currentUser.name || global.currentUser.name}} ensures Local override but falls back gracefully.

6.6 Patterns For Other Components

All other dynamic components work the same: use {{ someKey }} (flattened), or explicitly {{ app.filterX }}, {{ global.tenant.id }}.

is a Condition verifying selection changed; then API fetch details.

7. Naming & Collision Strategy

PatternGuidance
Generic key reused widelyAdd prefix (appNameShortcutreport.filters, appNameShortcuttbl.selection)
Temporary chain scratch valuesPrefix with underscore (_tempPayload) and keep Local

8. Cleaning / Resetting

  • Provide a Clear Local Data On destroy event
  • Navigation: optionally clear App keys via dedicated Clear action (if available) or set them to neutral defaults
  • To purge multiple nested leftovers, replace parent object instead of merging

9. Troubleshooting Quick Table

Too many
SymptomCauseFix
Blank interpolationKey not set yetEnsure Set runs first; default <span v-pre>{{ myKey || '—' }}</span>
Stale nested dataShallow merge kept old propsSet to null then replace OR overwrite all fields
Unexpected overrideSame key at Local/AppNamespace or explicit global. / app. access
Label not updatingUsing custom text set via component action only onceEnsure you update via Set Value or re‑invoke component action; or rely on context interpolation instead

10. Technical Reference (For Developers)

10.1 Precedence & Event Wiring

  • Merge order inside context(): Global < App < Local.
  • DynamicElementComponentV2 registers a watchState on the injected DataHub only if ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE

...

10. Quick Reminders (No‑Code Friendly)

...

  • is configured, pushing merged maps (local/app/global) plus flattened keys to action invocations.
  • Event enumeration: DynamicEventTypes.ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE (see dynamic-event-type.ts) and option with translate key DynamicActions.Shared.Events.

...

  • ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE

...

  • (see dynamic-event-options.const.ts).

10.2 Event Payload Shape (Simplified)

interface DataHubChangePayload {
  elementContext: Record<string, unknown>;
  // flattened merged keys (local > app > global)
  // plus explicit namespaces:
  local: Record<string, unknown>;
  app: Record<string, unknown>;
  global: Record<string, unknown>;
  // other flattened keys appear at top level
}

10.3 Merge Algorithm (Set Value Actions)

Pseudo:

for (const key of Object.keys(incoming)) {
  const current = existing[key];
  const nextVal = incoming[key];
  if (current === undefined) {
    existing[key] = nextVal;
  } else if (isPlainObject(current) && isPlainObject(nextVal)) {
    existing[key] = { ...current, ...nextVal };
  } else {
    existing[key] = nextVal;
  }
}

10.4 Performance Notes

  • Shallow object merge keeps cost low; avoid nesting large mutable graphs under one key.
  • distinctUntilChanged with deep equality (E1Utility.isEqual) throttles ON_DATA_HUB_CHANGE dispatches; still avoid high‑frequency churn (e.g. rapid typing) unless necessary

...

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