Chapter 1. Data Structure

This book will take you step-by-step through the process of building a clear and user-friendly sales management database in Ext JS using information from an existing database.

This book is intended for intermediate Ext JS developers with operational knowledge of MySQL and who want to improve their programming skills and create a higher-level application.

The finished application will give you a working sales management database. However, the true value of this book is the hands-on process of creating the application, and the opportunity to easily transfer and incorporate features introduced in this book in your own future applications.

The standout features we will look at while building this application are as follows:

• History-supported back button functionality: We will customize the Ext JS function to create a lighter method to scroll forwards and backwards while staying on a single page.

• More efficient screen management: We'll learn how simply registering a screen and naming conventions can help you cut down on the screen change processes; meaning you can focus more on the implementation behind each screen. Also, it will be easier to interact with the history just by conforming to this architecture.

• Communication methods with Ext.Direct: Ext.Direct has a close affinity with Ext applications which makes for easier connection, easier maintenance, and removes the need for the client side to change the URL. Also, if you use Ext.Direct, you can reduce the stress on the server side as it combines multiple server requests into just one request.

• Data display methods with charts: In Ext JS, by simply adjusting the store and the data structure set to display in a grid, we can display the data graphically in a chart.

This chapter will give you the basic building blocks of your database. In this chapter of the book, you will write the SQL code and and create tables in MySQL.