Add field sections, record labels, display values being populated

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/QueryAction.java

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables;
 
 
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
@@ -48,6 +49,10 @@ public class QueryAction
       // todo pre-customization - just get to modify the request?
       QueryOutput queryOutput = qModule.getQueryInterface().execute(queryInput);
       // todo post-customization - can do whatever w/ the result if you want
+
+      QValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecords(queryInput.getTable(), queryOutput.getRecords());
+
       return queryOutput;
    }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/values/QValueFormatter.java

@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values;
 
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
@@ -62,14 +65,114 @@ public class QValueFormatter
             return (field.getDisplayFormat().formatted(value));
          }
          catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            try
+            {
+               if(e.getMessage().equals("f != java.lang.Integer"))
+               {
+                  return formatValue(field, ValueUtils.getValueAsBigDecimal(value));
+               }
+               else if(e.getMessage().equals("d != java.math.BigDecimal"))
+               {
+                  return formatValue(field, ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(value));
+               }
+               else
                {
                   LOG.warn("Error formatting value [" + value + "] for field [" + field.getName() + "] with format [" + field.getDisplayFormat() + "]: " + e.getMessage());
                }
             }
+            catch(Exception e2)
+            {
+               LOG.warn("Caught secondary exception trying to convert type on field [" + field.getName() + "] for formatting", e);
+            }
+         }
+      }
 
       ////////////////////////////////////////
       // by default, just get back a string //
       ////////////////////////////////////////
       return (ValueUtils.getValueAsString(value));
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Make a string from a table's recordLabelFormat and fields, for a given record.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String formatRecordLabel(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record)
+   {
+      if(!StringUtils.hasContent(table.getRecordLabelFormat()))
+      {
+         return (formatRecordLabelExceptionalCases(table, record));
+      }
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // get list of values, then pass them to the string formatter method //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      try
+      {
+         List<Serializable> values = table.getRecordLabelFields().stream()
+            .map(record::getValue)
+            .map(v -> v == null ? "" : v)
+            .toList();
+         return (table.getRecordLabelFormat().formatted(values.toArray()));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         return (formatRecordLabelExceptionalCases(table, record));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Deal with non-happy-path cases for making a record label.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static String formatRecordLabelExceptionalCases(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record)
+   {
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if there's no record label format, then just return the primary key display value //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      String pkeyDisplayValue = record.getDisplayValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(pkeyDisplayValue))
+      {
+         return (pkeyDisplayValue);
+      }
+
+      String pkeyRawValue = ValueUtils.getValueAsString(record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()));
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(pkeyRawValue))
+      {
+         return (pkeyRawValue);
+      }
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // worst case scenario, return empty string, but never null from this method //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      return ("");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** For a list of records, set their recordLabels and display values
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecords(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records)
+   {
+      if(records == null)
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      for(QRecord record : records)
+      {
+         for(QFieldMetaData field : table.getFields().values())
+         {
+            String formattedValue = QValueFormatter.formatValue(field, record.getValue(field.getName()));
+            record.setDisplayValue(field.getName(), formattedValue);
+         }
+
+         record.setRecordLabel(QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, record));
+      }
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceEnricher.java

@@ -23,8 +23,10 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances;
 
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Locale;
+import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QBackendMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
@@ -32,6 +34,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QIcon;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QBackendStepMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QComponentType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFrontendComponentMetaData;
@@ -41,13 +44,16 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFunctionOutputMe
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QRecordListMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QStepMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QFieldSection;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Tier;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.delete.BulkDeleteStoreStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.edit.BulkEditReceiveValuesStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.edit.BulkEditStoreRecordsStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.insert.BulkInsertReceiveFileStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.insert.BulkInsertStoreRecordsStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.general.LoadInitialRecordsStep;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
 
@@ -111,6 +117,11 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       {
          table.getFields().values().forEach(this::enrich);
       }
+
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(table.getSections()))
+      {
+         generateTableFieldSections(table);
+      }
    }
 
 
@@ -196,13 +207,20 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
     *******************************************************************************/
    private String nameToLabel(String name)
    {
-      if(name == null)
+      if(!StringUtils.hasContent(name))
       {
-         return (null);
+         return (name);
       }
 
+      if(name.length() == 1)
+      {
+         return (name.substring(0, 1).toUpperCase(Locale.ROOT));
+      }
+      else
+      {
          return (name.substring(0, 1).toUpperCase(Locale.ROOT) + name.substring(1).replaceAll("([A-Z])", " $1"));
       }
+   }
 
 
 
@@ -422,4 +440,71 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
             )));
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** If a table didn't have any sections, generate "sensible defaults"
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void generateTableFieldSections(QTableMetaData table)
+   {
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(table.getFields()))
+      {
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // assume this table is invalid if it has no fields, but surely it doesn't need any sections then. //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         return;
+      }
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // create an identity section for the id and any fields in the record label //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      QFieldSection identitySection = new QFieldSection("identity", "Identity", new QIcon("badge"), Tier.T1, new ArrayList<>());
+
+      Set<String> usedFieldNames = new HashSet<>();
+
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(table.getPrimaryKeyField()))
+      {
+         identitySection.getFieldNames().add(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+         usedFieldNames.add(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+      }
+
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(table.getRecordLabelFields()))
+      {
+         for(String fieldName : table.getRecordLabelFields())
+         {
+            if(!usedFieldNames.contains(fieldName))
+            {
+               identitySection.getFieldNames().add(fieldName);
+               usedFieldNames.add(fieldName);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      if(!identitySection.getFieldNames().isEmpty())
+      {
+         table.addSection(identitySection);
+      }
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if there are more fields, then add them in a default/Other Fields section //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      QFieldSection otherSection = new QFieldSection("otherFields", "Other Fields", new QIcon("dataset"), Tier.T2, new ArrayList<>());
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(table.getFields()))
+      {
+         for(String fieldName : table.getFields().keySet())
+         {
+            if(!usedFieldNames.contains(fieldName))
+            {
+               otherSection.getFieldNames().add(fieldName);
+               usedFieldNames.add(fieldName);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      if(!otherSection.getFieldNames().isEmpty())
+      {
+         table.addSection(otherSection);
+      }
+
+   }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceValidator.java

@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppChildMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QStepMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QFieldSection;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Tier;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
@@ -160,12 +163,63 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                   }
                });
             }
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////
+            // validate field sections in the table //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////
+            Set<String> fieldNamesInSections = new HashSet<>();
+            QFieldSection tier1Section = null;
+            if(table.getSections() != null)
+            {
+               for(QFieldSection section : table.getSections())
+               {
+                  validateSection(errors, table, section, fieldNamesInSections);
+                  if(section.getTier().equals(Tier.T1))
+                  {
+                     assertCondition(errors, tier1Section == null, "Table " + tableName + " has more than 1 section listed as Tier 1");
+                     tier1Section = section;
+                  }
+               }
+            }
+
+            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(table.getFields()))
+            {
+               for(String fieldName : table.getFields().keySet())
+               {
+                  assertCondition(errors, fieldNamesInSections.contains(fieldName), "Table " + tableName + " field " + fieldName + " is not listed in any field sections.");
+               }
+            }
+
          });
       }
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateSection(List<String> errors, QTableMetaData table, QFieldSection section, Set<String> fieldNamesInSections)
+   {
+      assertCondition(errors, StringUtils.hasContent(section.getName()), "Missing a name for field section in table " + table.getName() + ".");
+      assertCondition(errors, StringUtils.hasContent(section.getLabel()), "Missing a label for field section in table " + table.getLabel() + ".");
+      if(assertCondition(errors, CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(section.getFieldNames()), "Table " + table.getName() + " section " + section.getName() + " does not have any fields."))
+      {
+         if(table.getFields() != null)
+         {
+            for(String fieldName : section.getFieldNames())
+            {
+               assertCondition(errors, table.getFields().containsKey(fieldName), "Table " + table.getName() + " section " + section.getName() + " specifies fieldName " + fieldName + ", which is not a field on this table.");
+               assertCondition(errors, !fieldNamesInSections.contains(fieldName), "Table " + table.getName() + " has field " + fieldName + " listed more than once in its field sections.");
+
+               fieldNamesInSections.add(fieldName);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/data/QRecord.java

@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
@@ -56,6 +55,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 public class QRecord implements Serializable
 {
    private String tableName;
+   private String recordLabel;
+
    private Map<String, Serializable> values         = new LinkedHashMap<>();
    private Map<String, String>       displayValues  = new LinkedHashMap<>();
    private Map<String, Serializable> backendDetails = new LinkedHashMap<>();
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ public class QRecord implements Serializable
    public QRecord(QRecord record)
    {
       this.tableName = record.tableName;
+      this.recordLabel = record.recordLabel;
       this.values = record.values;
       this.displayValues = record.displayValues;
       this.backendDetails = record.backendDetails;
@@ -139,15 +141,6 @@ public class QRecord implements Serializable
 
 
 
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setDisplayValue(QFieldMetaData field, Serializable rawValue)
-   {
-      displayValues.put(field.getName(), QValueFormatter.formatValue(field, rawValue));
-   }
-
-
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
@@ -160,17 +153,6 @@ public class QRecord implements Serializable
 
 
 
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public QRecord withDisplayValue(QFieldMetaData field, Serializable rawValue)
-   {
-      setDisplayValue(field, rawValue);
-      return (this);
-   }
-
-
-
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Getter for tableName
     **
@@ -205,6 +187,39 @@ public class QRecord implements Serializable
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for recordLabel
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getRecordLabel()
+   {
+      return recordLabel;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for recordLabel
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setRecordLabel(String recordLabel)
+   {
+      this.recordLabel = recordLabel;
+   }
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for recordLabel
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QRecord withRecordLabel(String recordLabel)
+   {
+      this.recordLabel = recordLabel;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Getter for values
     **

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/fields/QFieldType.java

@@ -61,10 +61,6 @@ public enum QFieldType
       {
          return (INTEGER);
       }
-      if(c.equals(Boolean.class))
-      {
-         return (BOOLEAN);
-      }
       if(c.equals(BigDecimal.class))
       {
          return (DECIMAL);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/frontend/QFrontendProcessMetaData.java

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonInclude.Include;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFrontendStepMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -45,6 +46,8 @@ public class QFrontendProcessMetaData
    private String  tableName;
    private boolean isHidden;
 
+   private String iconName;
+
    private List<QFrontendStepMetaData> frontendSteps;
 
    //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -77,6 +80,11 @@ public class QFrontendProcessMetaData
             frontendSteps = new ArrayList<>();
          }
       }
+
+      if(processMetaData.getIcon() != null && StringUtils.hasContent(processMetaData.getIcon().getName()))
+      {
+         this.iconName = processMetaData.getIcon().getName();
+      }
    }
 
 
@@ -148,12 +156,12 @@ public class QFrontendProcessMetaData
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for isHidden
+    ** Getter for iconName
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setIsHidden(boolean isHidden)
+   public String getIconName()
    {
-      this.isHidden = isHidden;
+      return iconName;
    }
 
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/frontend/QFrontendTableMetaData.java

@@ -23,11 +23,14 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.frontend;
 
 
 import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonInclude;
 import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonInclude.Include;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QFieldSection;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -43,7 +46,10 @@ public class QFrontendTableMetaData
    private boolean isHidden;
    private String  primaryKeyField;
 
+   private String iconName;
+
    private Map<String, QFrontendFieldMetaData> fields;
+   private List<QFieldSection>                 sections;
 
    //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // do not add setters.  take values from the source-object in the constructor!! //
@@ -68,6 +74,13 @@ public class QFrontendTableMetaData
          {
             this.fields.put(entry.getKey(), new QFrontendFieldMetaData(entry.getValue()));
          }
+
+         this.sections = tableMetaData.getSections();
+      }
+
+      if(tableMetaData.getIcon() != null && StringUtils.hasContent(tableMetaData.getIcon().getName()))
+      {
+         this.iconName = tableMetaData.getIcon().getName();
       }
    }
 
@@ -117,6 +130,17 @@ public class QFrontendTableMetaData
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for sections
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<QFieldSection> getSections()
+   {
+      return sections;
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Getter for isHidden
     **
@@ -129,11 +153,11 @@ public class QFrontendTableMetaData
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for isHidden
+    ** Getter for iconName
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setIsHidden(boolean isHidden)
+   public String getIconName()
    {
-      this.isHidden = isHidden;
+      return iconName;
    }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/processes/QProcessMetaData.java

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonIgnore;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppChildMetaData;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QIcon;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ public class QProcessMetaData implements QAppChildMetaData
    private List<QStepMetaData> stepList;
 
    private String parentAppName;
+   private QIcon  icon;
 
 
 
@@ -321,4 +322,38 @@ public class QProcessMetaData implements QAppChildMetaData
       this.parentAppName = parentAppName;
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for icon
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QIcon getIcon()
+   {
+      return icon;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for icon
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setIcon(QIcon icon)
+   {
+      this.icon = icon;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for icon
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QProcessMetaData withIcon(QIcon icon)
+   {
+      this.icon = icon;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/QFieldSection.java

@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables;
+
+
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QIcon;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** A section of fields - a logical grouping.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class QFieldSection
+{
+   private String name;
+   private String label;
+   private Tier   tier;
+
+   private List<String> fieldNames;
+   private QIcon        icon;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFieldSection()
+   {
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFieldSection(String name, String label, QIcon icon, Tier tier, List<String> fieldNames)
+   {
+      this.name = name;
+      this.label = label;
+      this.icon = icon;
+      this.tier = tier;
+      this.fieldNames = fieldNames;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for name
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getName()
+   {
+      return name;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for name
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setName(String name)
+   {
+      this.name = name;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for name
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFieldSection withName(String name)
+   {
+      this.name = name;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for label
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getLabel()
+   {
+      return label;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for label
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setLabel(String label)
+   {
+      this.label = label;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for label
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFieldSection withLabel(String label)
+   {
+      this.label = label;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for tier
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Tier getTier()
+   {
+      return tier;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for tier
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setTier(Tier tier)
+   {
+      this.tier = tier;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for tier
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFieldSection withTier(Tier tier)
+   {
+      this.tier = tier;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for fieldNames
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<String> getFieldNames()
+   {
+      return fieldNames;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for fieldNames
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setFieldNames(List<String> fieldNames)
+   {
+      this.fieldNames = fieldNames;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for fieldNames
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFieldSection withFieldNames(List<String> fieldNames)
+   {
+      this.fieldNames = fieldNames;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for icon
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QIcon getIcon()
+   {
+      return icon;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for icon
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setIcon(QIcon icon)
+   {
+      this.icon = icon;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for icon
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFieldSection withIcon(QIcon icon)
+   {
+      this.icon = icon;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/QTableMetaData.java

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables;
 
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -64,6 +65,12 @@ public class QTableMetaData implements QAppChildMetaData, Serializable
    private String parentAppName;
    private QIcon  icon;
 
+   private String       recordLabelFormat;
+   private List<String> recordLabelFields;
+
+   private List<QFieldSection> sections;
+
+
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Default constructor.
@@ -496,6 +503,7 @@ public class QTableMetaData implements QAppChildMetaData, Serializable
    }
 
 
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Fluent setter for icon
     **
@@ -506,4 +514,131 @@ public class QTableMetaData implements QAppChildMetaData, Serializable
       return (this);
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for recordLabelFormat
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getRecordLabelFormat()
+   {
+      return recordLabelFormat;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for recordLabelFormat
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setRecordLabelFormat(String recordLabelFormat)
+   {
+      this.recordLabelFormat = recordLabelFormat;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for recordLabelFormat
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QTableMetaData withRecordLabelFormat(String recordLabelFormat)
+   {
+      this.recordLabelFormat = recordLabelFormat;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for recordLabelFields
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<String> getRecordLabelFields()
+   {
+      return recordLabelFields;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for recordLabelFields
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setRecordLabelFields(List<String> recordLabelFields)
+   {
+      this.recordLabelFields = recordLabelFields;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for recordLabelFields
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QTableMetaData withRecordLabelFields(List<String> recordLabelFields)
+   {
+      this.recordLabelFields = recordLabelFields;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for sections
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<QFieldSection> getSections()
+   {
+      return sections;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for sections
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setSections(List<QFieldSection> sections)
+   {
+      this.sections = sections;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for sections
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QTableMetaData withSections(List<QFieldSection> fieldSections)
+   {
+      this.sections = fieldSections;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void addSection(QFieldSection fieldSection)
+   {
+      if(this.sections == null)
+      {
+         this.sections = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+      this.sections.add(fieldSection);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QTableMetaData withSection(QFieldSection fieldSection)
+   {
+      addSection(fieldSection);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/Tier.java

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum Tier
+{
+   T1,
+   T2,
+   T3
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/modules/backend/implementations/mock/MockQueryAction.java

@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@ public class MockQueryAction implements QueryInterface
             {
                Serializable value = field.equals("id") ? (i + 1) : getValue(table, field);
                record.setValue(field, value);
-               record.setDisplayValue(table.getField(field), value);
             }
 
             queryOutput.addRecord(record);

qqq-backend-core/src/test/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/values/QValueFormatterTest.java

@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values;
+
+
+import java.math.BigDecimal;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.DisplayFormat;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertNull;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Unit test for QValueFormatter
+ *******************************************************************************/
+class QValueFormatterTest
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFormatValue()
+   {
+      assertNull(QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.COMMAS), null));
+
+      assertEquals("1", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.COMMAS), 1));
+      assertEquals("1,000", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.COMMAS), 1000));
+      assertEquals("1000", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(null), 1000));
+      assertEquals("$1,000.00", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.CURRENCY), 1000));
+      assertEquals("1,000.00", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.DECIMAL2_COMMAS), 1000));
+      assertEquals("1000.00", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.DECIMAL2), 1000));
+
+      assertEquals("1", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.COMMAS), new BigDecimal("1")));
+      assertEquals("1,000", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.COMMAS), new BigDecimal("1000")));
+      assertEquals("1000", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.STRING), new BigDecimal("1000")));
+      assertEquals("1000", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.STRING), 1000));
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // this one flows through the exceptional cases //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      assertEquals("1000.01", QValueFormatter.formatValue(new QFieldMetaData().withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.COMMAS), new BigDecimal("1000.01")));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFormatRecordLabel()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = new QTableMetaData().withRecordLabelFormat("%s %s").withRecordLabelFields(List.of("firstName", "lastName"));
+      assertEquals("Darin Kelkhoff", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("firstName", "Darin").withValue("lastName", "Kelkhoff")));
+      assertEquals("Darin ", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("firstName", "Darin")));
+      assertEquals("Darin ", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("firstName", "Darin").withValue("lastName", null)));
+
+      table = new QTableMetaData().withRecordLabelFormat("%s " + DisplayFormat.CURRENCY).withRecordLabelFields(List.of("firstName", "price"));
+      assertEquals("Darin $10,000.00", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("firstName", "Darin").withValue("price", new BigDecimal(10000))));
+
+      table = new QTableMetaData().withRecordLabelFormat(DisplayFormat.DEFAULT).withRecordLabelFields(List.of("id"));
+      assertEquals("123456", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("id", "123456")));
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // exceptional flow:  no recordLabelFormat specified //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      table = new QTableMetaData().withPrimaryKeyField("id");
+      assertEquals("42", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("id", 42)));
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // exceptional flow:  no fields for the format //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      table = new QTableMetaData().withRecordLabelFormat("%s %s").withPrimaryKeyField("id");
+      assertEquals("128", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("id", 128)));
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // exceptional flow:  not enough fields for the format //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      table = new QTableMetaData().withRecordLabelFormat("%s %s").withRecordLabelFields(List.of("a")).withPrimaryKeyField("id");
+      assertEquals("256", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("a", 47).withValue("id", 256)));
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // exceptional flow (kinda):  too many fields for the format (just get the ones that are in the format) //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      table = new QTableMetaData().withRecordLabelFormat("%s %s").withRecordLabelFields(List.of("a", "b", "c")).withPrimaryKeyField("id");
+      assertEquals("47 48", QValueFormatter.formatRecordLabel(table, new QRecord().withValue("a", 47).withValue("b", 48).withValue("c", 49).withValue("id", 256)));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testSetDisplayValuesInRecords()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = new QTableMetaData()
+         .withRecordLabelFormat("%s %s")
+         .withRecordLabelFields(List.of("firstName", "lastName"))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("firstName", QFieldType.STRING))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("lastName", QFieldType.STRING))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("price", QFieldType.DECIMAL).withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.CURRENCY))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("quantity", QFieldType.INTEGER).withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.COMMAS));
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // first, make sure it doesn't crash with null or empty inputs //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      QValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecords(table, null);
+      QValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecords(table, Collections.emptyList());
+
+      List<QRecord> records = List.of(
+         new QRecord()
+            .withValue("firstName", "Tim")
+            .withValue("lastName", "Chamberlain")
+            .withValue("price", new BigDecimal("3.50"))
+            .withValue("quantity", 1701),
+         new QRecord()
+            .withValue("firstName", "Tyler")
+            .withValue("lastName", "Samples")
+            .withValue("price", new BigDecimal("174999.99"))
+            .withValue("quantity", 47)
+      );
+
+      QValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecords(table, records);
+
+      assertEquals("Tim Chamberlain", records.get(0).getRecordLabel());
+      assertEquals("$3.50", records.get(0).getDisplayValue("price"));
+      assertEquals("1,701", records.get(0).getDisplayValue("quantity"));
+
+      assertEquals("Tyler Samples", records.get(1).getRecordLabel());
+      assertEquals("$174,999.99", records.get(1).getDisplayValue("price"));
+      assertEquals("47", records.get(1).getDisplayValue("quantity"));
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/test/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceValidatorTest.java

@@ -24,10 +24,17 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances;
 
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QInstanceValidationException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QIcon;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QFieldSection;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Tier;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.TestUtils;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
@@ -283,6 +290,124 @@ class QInstanceValidatorTest
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFieldSectionsMissingName()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection(null, "Section 1", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of("id")))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table), "Missing a name");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFieldSectionsMissingLabel()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section1", null, new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of("id")))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table), "Missing a label");
+   }
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFieldSectionsNoFields()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table1 = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section1", "Section 1", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of()))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table1), "section1 does not have any fields", "field id is not listed in any field sections");
+
+      QTableMetaData table2 = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section1", "Section 1", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, null))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table2), "section1 does not have any fields", "field id is not listed in any field sections");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFieldSectionsUnrecognizedFieldName()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section1", "Section 1", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of("id", "od")))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table), "not a field on this table");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFieldSectionsDuplicatedFieldName()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table1 = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section1", "Section 1", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of("id", "id")))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table1), "more than once");
+
+      QTableMetaData table2 = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section1", "Section 1", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of("id")))
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section2", "Section 2", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T2, List.of("id")))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table2), "more than once");
+   }
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFieldNotInAnySections()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section1", "Section 1", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of("id")))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("name", QFieldType.STRING));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table), "not listed in any field sections");
+   }
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   void testFieldSectionsMultipleTier1()
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = new QTableMetaData().withName("test")
+         .withBackendName(TestUtils.DEFAULT_BACKEND_NAME)
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section1", "Section 1", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of("id")))
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("section2", "Section 2", new QIcon("person"), Tier.T1, List.of("name")))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("name", QFieldType.STRING));
+      assertValidationFailureReasons((qInstance) -> qInstance.addTable(table), "more than 1 section listed as Tier 1");
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Run a little setup code on a qInstance; then validate it, and assert that it
     ** failed validation with reasons that match the supplied vararg-reasons (but allow

qqq-backend-module-rdbms/src/test/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/module/rdbms/TestUtils.java

@@ -22,10 +22,12 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.module.rdbms;
 
 
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QAuthenticationType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.authentication.metadata.QAuthenticationMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.module.rdbms.model.metadata.RDBMSBackendMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.module.rdbms.model.metadata.RDBMSTableBackendDetails;
 
@@ -48,11 +50,25 @@ public class TestUtils
       QInstance qInstance = new QInstance();
       qInstance.addBackend(defineBackend());
       qInstance.addTable(defineTablePerson());
+      qInstance.setAuthentication(defineAuthentication());
       return (qInstance);
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Define the authentication used in standard tests - using 'mock' type.
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QAuthenticationMetaData defineAuthentication()
+   {
+      return new QAuthenticationMetaData()
+         .withName("mock")
+         .withType(QAuthenticationType.MOCK);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/

qqq-backend-module-rdbms/src/test/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/module/rdbms/actions/RDBMSQueryActionTest.java

@@ -23,16 +23,20 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.module.rdbms.actions;
 
 
 import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.module.rdbms.TestUtils;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.BeforeEach;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
+import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -416,7 +420,29 @@ public class RDBMSQueryActionTest extends RDBMSActionTest
       QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
       queryInput.setInstance(TestUtils.defineInstance());
       queryInput.setTableName(TestUtils.defineTablePerson().getName());
+      queryInput.setSession(new QSession());
       return queryInput;
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** This doesn't really test any RDBMS code, but is a checkpoint that the core
+    ** module is populating displayValues when it performs the system-level query action.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Test
+   public void testThatDisplayValuesGetSetGoingThroughQueryAction() throws QException
+   {
+      QueryInput  queryInput  = initQueryRequest();
+      QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+      Assertions.assertEquals(5, queryOutput.getRecords().size(), "Unfiltered query should find all rows");
+
+      for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
+      {
+         assertThat(record.getValues()).isNotEmpty();
+         assertThat(record.getDisplayValues()).isNotEmpty();
+         assertThat(record.getErrors()).isEmpty();
+      }
+   }
+
 }

qqq-sample-project/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/sampleapp/SampleMetaDataProvider.java

@@ -33,16 +33,20 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeUsage;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.DisplayFormat;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QIcon;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QBackendStepMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFrontendStepMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFunctionInputMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFunctionOutputMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QRecordListMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QFieldSection;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Tier;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.authentication.metadata.QAuthenticationMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.general.LoadInitialRecordsStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.mock.MockBackendStep;
@@ -123,18 +127,25 @@ public class SampleMetaDataProvider
    {
       qInstance.addApp(new QAppMetaData()
          .withName(APP_NAME_GREETINGS)
-         .withChild(qInstance.getProcess(PROCESS_NAME_GREET))
+         .withIcon(new QIcon().withName("emoji_people"))
-         .withChild(qInstance.getProcess(PROCESS_NAME_GREET_INTERACTIVE)));
+         .withChild(qInstance.getProcess(PROCESS_NAME_GREET)
+            .withIcon(new QIcon().withName("emoji_people")))
+         .withChild(qInstance.getTable(TABLE_NAME_PERSON)
+            .withIcon(new QIcon().withName("person")))
+         .withChild(qInstance.getTable(TABLE_NAME_CITY)
+            .withIcon(new QIcon().withName("location_city")))
+         .withChild(qInstance.getProcess(PROCESS_NAME_GREET_INTERACTIVE))
+         .withIcon(new QIcon().withName("waving_hand")));
 
       qInstance.addApp(new QAppMetaData()
          .withName(APP_NAME_PEOPLE)
-         .withChild(qInstance.getTable(TABLE_NAME_PERSON))
+         .withIcon(new QIcon().withName("person"))
-         .withChild(qInstance.getTable(TABLE_NAME_CITY))
          .withChild(qInstance.getApp(APP_NAME_GREETINGS)));
 
       qInstance.addApp(new QAppMetaData()
          .withName(APP_NAME_MISCELLANEOUS)
-         .withChild(qInstance.getTable(TABLE_NAME_CARRIER))
+         .withIcon(new QIcon().withName("stars"))
+         .withChild(qInstance.getTable(TABLE_NAME_CARRIER).withIcon(new QIcon("local_shipping")))
          .withChild(qInstance.getProcess(PROCESS_NAME_SIMPLE_SLEEP))
          .withChild(qInstance.getProcess(PROCESS_NAME_SLEEP_INTERACTIVE))
          .withChild(qInstance.getProcess(PROCESS_NAME_SIMPLE_THROW)));
@@ -205,19 +216,25 @@ public class SampleMetaDataProvider
       table.setName(TABLE_NAME_CARRIER);
       table.setBackendName(RDBMS_BACKEND_NAME);
       table.setPrimaryKeyField("id");
+      table.setRecordLabelFormat("%s");
+      table.setRecordLabelFields(List.of("name"));
 
       table.addField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER));
 
       table.addField(new QFieldMetaData("name", QFieldType.STRING)
          .withIsRequired(true));
 
-      table.addField(new QFieldMetaData("company_code", QFieldType.STRING) // todo enum
+      table.addField(new QFieldMetaData("company_code", QFieldType.STRING) // todo PVS
          .withLabel("Company")
          .withIsRequired(true)
          .withBackendName("comp_code"));
 
-      table.addField(new QFieldMetaData("service_level", QFieldType.STRING)
+      table.addField(new QFieldMetaData("service_level", QFieldType.STRING) // todo PVS
-         .withIsRequired(true)); // todo enum
+            .withLabel("Service Level")
+            .withIsRequired(true));
+
+      table.addSection(new QFieldSection("identity", "Identity", new QIcon("badge"), Tier.T1, List.of("id", "name")));
+      table.addSection(new QFieldSection("basicInfo", "Basic Info", new QIcon("dataset"), Tier.T2, List.of("company_code", "service_level")));
 
       return (table);
    }
@@ -234,13 +251,24 @@ public class SampleMetaDataProvider
          .withLabel("Person")
          .withBackendName(RDBMS_BACKEND_NAME)
          .withPrimaryKeyField("id")
-         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER))
+         .withRecordLabelFormat("%s %s")
-         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("createDate", QFieldType.DATE_TIME).withBackendName("create_date"))
+         .withRecordLabelFields(List.of("firstName", "lastName"))
-         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("modifyDate", QFieldType.DATE_TIME).withBackendName("modify_date"))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("id", QFieldType.INTEGER).withIsEditable(false))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("createDate", QFieldType.DATE_TIME).withBackendName("create_date").withIsEditable(false))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("modifyDate", QFieldType.DATE_TIME).withBackendName("modify_date").withIsEditable(false))
          .withField(new QFieldMetaData("firstName", QFieldType.STRING).withBackendName("first_name").withIsRequired(true))
          .withField(new QFieldMetaData("lastName", QFieldType.STRING).withBackendName("last_name").withIsRequired(true))
          .withField(new QFieldMetaData("birthDate", QFieldType.DATE).withBackendName("birth_date"))
-         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("email", QFieldType.STRING));
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("email", QFieldType.STRING))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("annualSalary", QFieldType.DECIMAL).withBackendName("annual_salary").withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.CURRENCY))
+         .withField(new QFieldMetaData("daysWorked", QFieldType.INTEGER).withBackendName("days_worked").withDisplayFormat(DisplayFormat.COMMAS))
+
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("identity", "Identity", new QIcon("badge"), Tier.T1, List.of("id", "firstName", "lastName")))
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("basicInfo", "Basic Info", new QIcon("dataset"), Tier.T2, List.of("email", "birthDate")))
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("employmentInfo", "Employment Info", new QIcon("work"), Tier.T2, List.of("annualSalary", "daysWorked")))
+         .withSection(new QFieldSection("dates", "Dates", new QIcon("calendar_month"), Tier.T3, List.of("createDate", "modifyDate")))
+
+         .withInferredFieldBackendNames();
    }
 
 

qqq-sample-project/src/test/resources/prime-test-database.sql

@@ -29,14 +29,17 @@ CREATE TABLE person
    first_name VARCHAR(80) NOT NULL,
    last_name VARCHAR(80) NOT NULL,
    birth_date DATE,
-   email VARCHAR(250) NOT NULL
+   email VARCHAR(250) NOT NULL,
+
+   annual_salary DECIMAL(12, 2),
+   days_worked INTEGER
 );
 
-INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email) VALUES (1, 'Darin', 'Kelkhoff', '1980-05-31', 'darin.kelkhoff@gmail.com');
+INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email, annual_salary, days_worked) VALUES (1, 'Darin', 'Kelkhoff', '1980-05-31', 'darin.kelkhoff@gmail.com', 75003.50, 1001);
-INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email) VALUES (2, 'James', 'Maes', '1980-05-15', 'jmaes@mmltholdings.com');
+INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email, annual_salary, days_worked) VALUES (2, 'James', 'Maes', '1980-05-15', 'jmaes@mmltholdings.com', 150000, 10100);
-INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email) VALUES (3, 'Tim', 'Chamberlain', '1976-05-28', 'tchamberlain@mmltholdings.com');
+INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email, annual_salary, days_worked) VALUES (3, 'Tim', 'Chamberlain', '1976-05-28', 'tchamberlain@mmltholdings.com', 300000, 100100);
-INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email) VALUES (4, 'Tyler', 'Samples', NULL, 'tsamples@mmltholdings.com');
+INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email, annual_salary, days_worked) VALUES (4, 'Tyler', 'Samples', NULL, 'tsamples@mmltholdings.com', 950000, 75);
-INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email) VALUES (5, 'Garret', 'Richardson', '1981-01-01', 'grichardson@mmltholdings.com');
+INSERT INTO person (id, first_name, last_name, birth_date, email, annual_salary, days_worked) VALUES (5, 'Garret', 'Richardson', '1981-01-01', 'grichardson@mmltholdings.com', 1500000, 1);
 
 DROP TABLE IF EXISTS carrier;
 CREATE TABLE carrier