Mendix Release 10.20 – From Micro to Nano in an Instant

Studio Pro

Enhancing nanoflow/microflow conversion

Deciding whether to execute logic on the client side or within the runtime can be challenging, and the optimal approach may evolve over time. To address this, we recently enabled the creation of a copy of a microflow as a nanoflow and vice versa. However, this still required developers to manually migrate the logic between client and runtime.

Now we allow developers to convert a microflow to a nanoflow directly, updating all instances where the microflow is used to the new nanoflow (and vice versa). This can be done easily by right-clicking on a microflow or nanoflow and selecting the convert option from the menu. We believe this enhancement will save you valuable time and streamline your development process.

Widgets

Introducing Custom chart: The successor to AnyChart

The Charts widgets now include a new widget called Custom chart, a React client compatible successor to AnyChart. This widget allows you to use any chart type supported by the Plotly library and fully customize the options and layout. It can now also be used within other React widgets like the Gallery. Additionally, the underlying library has been updated to the newest major (see release notes).

Data widgets – Improved drop-down filter

We updated the data widgets, enhancing the drop-down filter for Data grid 2 and Gallery to support Combo box capabilities. You can now type to filter, eliminating the need to scroll through lists, which speeds up filtering, especially for large association data sets. This update provides consistent behavior with the Combo box widget and addresses a popular request from the idea forum.

Workflow Interrupting timer boundary event (beta)

After we released non-interrupting timer boundary events (GA), it’s now time for the interrupting timer boundary event (beta). Boundary events are known from the BPMN specification and are used to model exceptions in workflow process models. Typical use cases include sending a notification when a task is almost late, and escalating to managers when is task is not completed on time.

The interrupting timer boundary event will interrupt (aborts) the activity it’s attached to and will start an alternative path. You can model this path like a regular workflow path consisting of multiple activities. Add the interrupting boundary event by dragging the Timer event from the toolbox onto the canvas and drop it at the boundary of a (Multi) User task → call workflow → call microflow → wait for Notification activity → set Interrupting to Yes and you are done.

Currently it’s not possible yet to jump at the end of the interrupting boundary path back to the parent path, but we will add that soon.

New Mendix Client API: modernizing frontend development

The Mendix Client API has been a reliable tool for front-end developers, enabling them to build powerful JavaScript actions. However, as technology evolves, so must our tools. That’s why we have released a new version of the Mendix Client API, set to replace the existing API. This modernized API offers several key advantages: it no longer relies on a global object, instead utilizing standard ECMAScript module features. It also consistently uses promises to simplify handling asynchronous actions.

The new client API is ready for use starting with Mendix 10.20, and we encourage all developers to update their JS Actions to leverage it. Refer to our documentation for more details.

Governance

Software Composition enriched!

Software Composition provides visibility into component dependencies such as modules, widgets, Java libraries, etc. at the application level as well as the portfolio level. Previously, it provided only the essential information about these component dependencies – their name, version, type and usage across your application landscape.

What’s new now? Well, it has become much richer! How’s that?

Rich marketplace data has been augmented so that latest version of a module, support type (Mendix, community or partners), license information, etc. are visible with ease (screenshot below). This information is the first step to helping you govern and secure your application landscape better.

Here are three ways you can put Software Composition to use:

1. Reduce security risk – Review security advisories published by Mendix. Identify Mendix apps which are using the vulnerable component version. Inform teams using that component version to address the security finding. Monitor the Software Composition page in Control Center to ensure it gets done.
2. Identify apps using non-preferred components – There can be particular marketplace modules or widgets which do not meet your enterprise guidelines. You can now view which applications and teams are using these non-preferred components and ask them to take remediation actions. Go to the All Components tab in Control Center and search for non-preferred components to identify their usage.
3. Identify apps using non-preferred licenses – Similarly, you can also search the All Components tab in Control Center for components using certain licenses which do not comply with enterprise guidelines. Knowing their usage can help you make an informed decision on next steps.

Navigate to software composition page from Control Center or Mendix Portal and check it out!

Deployment Flexibility

More UX updates for Mendix Cloud

After introducing new deployment pages for Mendix Cloud, the last remaining pages have been updated as well. All the Deployment pages now have a refreshed, clean UI.

On the General tab of the Environment Details page, we put related information together in collapsible groups, so that you can quickly find the information you need, without scrolling or losing overview.

On the Model Options tab of the Environment Details page, we added a Compare and Edit feature, where you can easily see the value of your constants across multiple environments.

This will help you when editing the values of your constants, to make sure the value or equal, or different, across environments.

On the Network tab of the Environment Details page, we cleaned up a lot of space by moving Pro Tips. No worry, you can still check Pro Tips by hovering the light bulb icon! Pro Tips are also shown when adding or editing a setting.

Mendix Platform

Compass – Your company’s guide to repeated success

We are proud to be the first and only low-code platform that provides enterprises with the guidance, structure, and tools needed to track their digital transformation progress. And now, we’re excited to announce that Mendix Compass for Start is generally available!

Mendix Compass is our new in-platform tool, built on Mendix Digital Execution Practices…

…designed to help organizations successfully adopt the Mendix platform and drive their digital transformation forward.

In this first step, we focus on organizations and teams that are just getting started with low code. With Compass, you’ll set your organization up for success from day one. Our personalized onboarding guidance takes you through every starting step—from defining your low-code vision to launching your first Mendix app.

Additionally, you’ll be supported by a dedicated Customer Success Manager, ensuring expert onboarding tailored to your enterprise’s unique transformation journey. If your organization (or maybe a team within it) is just starting out, reach out to your CSM to check if Compass is the right fit for you.

This is just the beginning. Soon, we’ll be adding maturity assessments and even more tools to help you scale your Mendix adoption—from Start to Structure and ultimately Scale. The future of low-code transformation starts here.

Ready to take the next step with Mendix Compass?

AI – Smart Apps

Function Calling made even simpler

Mendix Developers can use Function Calling, or the ReAct pattern, when building Smart Apps to add more dynamic behavior to interactions with Large Language Models or LLMs. By providing functions (sometimes also called “tools”), the models will include the possibility to execute the function or tool during their reasoning. This effectively makes the smart app able to act on behalf of the user. To simplify this further, function microflows in GenAICommons now accept Tool and/or Request as optional inputs, offering more flexibility in Mendix applications.

A new specialization tool, KnowledgeBaseRetrieval, enhances integration with knowledge bases, making it easier to access and retrieve information. This enables easier information access and enhances user experience.

Further, the MxGenAIConnector has been updated by removing the retrieve and generate actions and adding Tools: Add Mendix Cloud Knowledge Base. This new action optimizes knowledge base retrieval in chat completions, simplifying the integration process and ensuring efficient access to information.

New how-to on Function Calling

Our latest how-to guide, Integrate Function Calling into Your Mendix App, has been designed to assist our users in integrating function calling into their Mendix application’s GenAI capabilities. It offers comprehensive, step-by-step instructions aimed at enhancing the functionality and performance of your applications through the incorporation of function calling. The guide includes an example case to illustrate the practical application of function calling. This example provides detailed steps and insights, helping users to understand how to implement it in real scenarios, thus enhancing their learning experience.

More examples in the GenAI Showcase App

To enhance the practicality of our users’ learning experience, we have integrated a new module featuring example microflows within the GenAI Showcase App. These microflows have been developed during the creation of our various how-to’s about the GenAI capabilities of Mendix, including those from our newly released function calling how-to guide. The GenAI Showcase App stands as an invaluable resource, providing readily accessible examples that illustrate best practices and innovative solutions.

Windows keyboard shortcuts

Boost your efficiency in Mendix Studio Pro with our newly compiled list of Windows keyboard shortcuts! This handy resource will help you navigate, edit, and develop faster than ever. To match your preferences, we’ve provided both a dark-mode PDF and a light-mode PDF, so you can pick the one that suits you best.

Are you ready to start your next app?

• Download Mendix Studio Pro.
• Take a closer look at all the features, improvements, fixes, and more in the Mendix 10.20 Release Notes.
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