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There are different systems (for different environments, languages) which helps to map schema to data structures in code, in databases, and do automatic glue code between them - ORM, etc.

Is there any common name/abbreviation (like ORM) for systems that in addition do mapping to user interface (in automatic/semi-automatic ways)?

Are there such systems? Of course it would require to select GUI templates for different parts of schema, maybe add a little logic at some places (declarative approach is preferable).

I remember that something similar was available at MS Access - it could automatically create UI Forms from schema or even queries. But I wonder if there are similar systems? (doesn't matter if it web GUI or desktop GUI).

I guess there can be library/framework for do this (Python, C#, Java, C++, PHP, etc), or stand-alone apps like MS Access.

qble
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  • Downvoter - any comments? – qble Jul 10 '13 at 19:36
  • Not really an SO question (too broad) but sounds like you are after scaffolding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaffold_(programming). As you haven't stated a language or platform (desktop? web?) then its hard to answer in any more detail – will-hart Jul 10 '13 at 20:05
  • @will-hart I am looking for any examples for any desktop/web/any_language. If there are many such systems - just show a couple of such examples. – qble Jul 10 '13 at 20:15

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You seem to be talking about scaffolding. Scaffolding is a way to display a very basic user interfaces (GUI) normally based on a database structure. Depending on the language, framework and implementation it may also provide basic Create, Read, Update, Delete (CRUD) actions on the GUI.

It is often frowned upon for anything other than a very rapid prototype. In fact, 99% of the time you will save more time and be better off learning a framework and doing things "properly".

Having said that, web frameworks seem to be the kings of scaffolding.

My advice would be to pick a well supported framework which favours convention over configuration and follow through some tutorials. You'll most likely end up in a better place.

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will-hart
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  • Could you please clarify how Scaffold is related to UI (desktop/web). [Wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaffold_%28programming%29) is a bit confusing - it just talks about db and code, which make it similar to ORM, but I don't see where is autogenerated UI. – qble Jul 10 '13 at 20:37
  • Thank you. If scaffolding has that meaning, then it is "word" I was looking for. Though I am still confused why wiki does not mention GUI. – qble Jul 10 '13 at 20:43
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    This video should give you a bit more of an idea. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USfKteP-eVo Other than that, good luck! – will-hart Jul 10 '13 at 20:44