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Core Concepts

Softyflow is a low-code platform that allows you to design, automate, and monitor business applications without writing traditional code. Whether you're building a leave request system, an approval workflow, or an internal operations dashboard, every Softyflow application is built using 5 core layers

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User forms (Frontend UI layer)​

Forms are the entry point for your users. They allow you to:

  • Collect input (e.g., requests, feedback, approvals)
  • Display data (from databases or APIs)
  • Trigger actions (processes, scripts, or API calls)

You build forms visually using drag-and-drop components such as:

  • Input fields, dropdowns, buttons, charts, data tables
  • Conditional visibility based on user role or context
  • Event-driven actions (e.g., onClick → trigger process)
  • Forms define how your users interact with your app no code required.

Processes (Application logic layer)​

Processes manage what happens after a form is submitted. They define the workflow of your app. Built using a BPMN-style editor, you can create flows with:

  • Manual tasks (assigned to users or groups)
  • Automated logic (gateways, variables, conditions)
  • Scheduled events (timers, CRONs)
  • Notifications (emails, status updates)
  • Scripted actions using JavaScript

A process is the brain of your application, connecting user actions to data operations and decisions.

Collections & APIs (Data layer)​

Softyflow lets you manage structured data in two ways: Collections Collections are internal databases (MongoDB-based). You use them to:

  • Store form submissions and workflow results
  • Retrieve data to prefill forms or reports
  • Apply access control rules per environment (TEST / UAT / PROD)

APIs You can also connect external systems using REST or SQL APIs to:

  • Query company databases
  • Call internal microservices
  • Integrate third-party tools (e.g., Salesforce, Hubspot)

APIs and collections can be used interchangeably inside your forms and processes. Your data layer keeps everything consistent, traceable, and scalable.

Reports (Insights layer)​

Reports allow you to turn processes and data into insights. With the built-in reporting builder, you can:

  • Track instance status and task progress
  • Filter results by user, region, date, or custom metadata
  • Display KPIs in dashboards
  • Embed reports inside forms for managers or reviewers
  • Reports close the loop between execution and visibility.

Scheduled logic (Event-based automation)​

Need to run a process automatically every hour, day, or week? Use scheduled logic. You can define CRON-style jobs to:

  • Auto-send reminders
  • Refresh databases
  • Trigger syncs with external systems
  • Launch reports or escalations

Each scheduled job runs through the same process engine and can be monitored like any other instance.

How it all connects​

A typical application in Softyflow looks like this:

  1. A user fills out a form
  1. This triggers a process
  1. The process reads/writes from a collection or external API
  1. Results are displayed in a report
  1. Scheduled logic keeps things running in the background

This modular architecture allows you to scale from simple forms to enterprise-grade applications.