Basic concepts

In this chapter, the basic concepts of of the framework are explained

The flow

The AI-Framework helps software developers to write software that works with data. This process is very structured and according a certain flow. It can be described as follows.

1. Databases – Data is stored in databases. Names, addresses, amounts, currency rates, birthdates and much more.
   The AI-Framework helps shape and reshape the database on the abstract level of a model. It also allows software developers to manipulate data on this level.
   > Read more in Database 
   You may also want to read Working with databases 
   
   
2. Entities – An Entity is the same as data. The difference is that the data in a database is stored on a harddrive – in a file server or in the cloud – and the data in the entity is stored in memory.
   The AI-Framework helps work with simple or very complex sets of (combined) data from one or more tables by querying the database and storing the data in memory, where it is readily available for the software developer.
   > Read more in Entities 
   
   
3. Operations – An Operation is a set of model instructions to gather and manipulate data and to present that to the user.
   The AI-Framework helps the model programmer accomplishing the task at hand. When gathering and manipulating data, the Entities described above can be used. When presenting or outputting the results to the user, Forms, Interfaces and Reports as described below can be used.
   > Read more in Operations 
   
   
4. Forms – A Form is a window that contains data and controls. .This can be a window in Microsoft Windows or for example a web page. Here, the user can read information, modify it and instruct the software to do something – for example by clicking a button.
   The AI-Framework provides a large set of possibilities to describe the way data is presented, like in text boxes and lists. Furthermore, there is a great number of controls available, like dropdown boxes, buttons and interactive lists.
   > Read more in Forms 
   You may also want to read more details in Model details > Forms 
   
   
5. Interfaces – An Interface is a connection between two different systems, for example between a computer and a human being. In a sense, forms and reports are both certain types of interfaces, since they communicate computer data with the user.
   Other interface options within the AI-Framework are for example import and export of Excel files, WCF and the RESTful (REpresentational State Transfer) interface, which can be used to build an API.
   > Read more in Integration 
   
   
6. Reports – A Report is way of presenting information in a non-interactive way, like on paper, on adhesive labels or in a PDF.
   The AI-Framework helps the software developer to make use of the extensive Report Generator of Stimulsoft. (Go to the website of Stimulsoft). Logic of the way data is presented, can partly be modeled in the report itself, for example a logo can be shown when a certain field contains the name of Brand A, but another log when the field contains the name of Brand B.
   > Read more in Reports