How to automatically generate tables from ODATA annotations without Fiori Elements?

[bdeboer]

Hi experts,

We are currently developing our application using SAPUI5 in combination with CAP/OData. This setup allows us to have local development environments using SQLite. This enables us to do development offline.

We do not want to use the Fiori Elements designer in BAS since it's not an open standard. We prefer not to be dependent on cloud based solution for development.

It appears SAPUI5 contains all the logic to interpret OData annotations and dynamically generate tables/views based on it. It's my understanding BAS Fiori Elements designer generates the required configuration in manifest.json.

Is there some way to apply the manifest.json configuration through controller / XML? A way that we can leverage on the OData annotation logic without using BAS Fiori Elements designer?

[Margot]

Out of curiosity: Is this question mainly because you do not want to use BAS? And if so, how about VS Code? Because the features used in BAS for Fiori elements development - SAP Fiori tools - is also available for VS Code (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=SAPSE.sap-ux-fiori-tools-extension-pack).

If this is also not feasible for you, then maybe issue-506 (https://github.com/SAP/open-ux-tools/issues/506) of the Open UX Tools project might be of your interest.

[pinakipatra]

It is possible but bit dirty approach. I created an utility long back which uses the same approach and can be found here https://github.com/pinakipatrapro/ApiClient_v2 for OData V2.

Basically it extracts the model metadata and creates UI elements accordingly.

[bdeboer]

Thanks. You have some interesting concepts that we can use. We're doing something in this direction at the moment. Not completely dynamic. We specify a simple configuration of fields that are needed (CRUD like interfaces) in the controller and have some logic that pulls in the metadata. Trying to find a sweet spot between having things autogenerated while still allowing for custom code when needed.