Merge branch 'feature/CE-938-order-release-automation' into integration/sprint-43

CE-1240: added multi table widget type

.circleci/config.yml

@@ -98,6 +98,31 @@ commands:
             - ~/.m2
           key: v1-dependencies-{{ checksum "pom.xml" }}
 
+  install_asciidoctor:
+    steps:
+      - checkout
+      - run:
+          name: Install asciidoctor
+          command: |
+            sudo apt-get update
+            sudo apt install -y asciidoctor
+
+  run_asciidoctor:
+    steps:
+      - run:
+          name: Run asciidoctor
+          command: |
+            cd docs
+            asciidoctor -a docinfo=shared index.adoc
+
+  upload_docs_site:
+    steps:
+      - run:
+          name: scp html to justinsgotskinnylegs.com
+          command: |
+            cd docs
+            scp index.html dkelkhoff@45.79.44.221:/mnt/first-volume/dkelkhoff/nginx/html/justinsgotskinnylegs.com/qqq-docs.html
+
 jobs:
   mvn_test:
     executor: localstack/default
@@ -114,6 +139,13 @@ jobs:
       - mvn_verify
       - mvn_jar_deploy
 
+  publish_asciidoc:
+    executor: localstack/default
+    steps:
+      - install_asciidoctor
+      - run_asciidoctor
+      - upload_docs_site
+
 workflows:
   test_only:
     jobs:
@@ -121,7 +153,7 @@ workflows:
           context: [ qqq-maven-registry-credentials, build-qqq-sample-app ]
           filters:
             branches:
-              ignore: /dev/
+              ignore: /(dev|integration.*)/
             tags:
               ignore: /(version|snapshot)-.*/
 
@@ -131,7 +163,10 @@ workflows:
           context: [ qqq-maven-registry-credentials, build-qqq-sample-app ]
           filters:
             branches:
-              only: /dev/
+              only: /(dev|integration.*)/
             tags:
               only: /(version|snapshot)-.*/
-
+      - publish_asciidoc:
+          filters:
+            branches:
+              only: /dev/

docs/index.adoc

@@ -26,6 +26,16 @@ include::metaData/Reports.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
 include::metaData/Icons.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
 include::metaData/PermissionRules.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
 
+== Services
+
+include::misc/ScheduledJobs.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
+
+=== Web server (Javalin)
+#todo#
+
+=== API server (OpenAPI)
+#todo#
+
 == Custom Application Code
 include::misc/QContext.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
 include::misc/QRecords.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
@@ -63,4 +73,4 @@ include::implementations/TableSync.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
 // later... include::actions/RenderTemplateAction.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
 
 == QQQ Utility Classes
-include::utilities/RecordLookupHelper.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
+include::utilities/RecordLookupHelper.adoc[leveloffset=+1]

docs/metaData/Fields.adoc

@@ -21,5 +21,99 @@ Used to set values in the `displayValues` map within a `QRecord`.
 * `possibleValueSourceName` - *String* - Reference to a {link-pvs} to be used for this field.
 Values in this field should correspond to ids from the referenced Possible Value Source.
 * `maxLength` - *Integer* - Maximum length (number of characters) allowed for values in this field.
-Only applicable for fields with `type=STRING`.
-* `
+Only applicable for fields with `type=STRING`.  Needs to be used with a `FieldBehavior` of type `ValueTooLongBehavior`.
+
+==== Field Behaviors
+Additional behaviors can be attached to fields through the use of the `behaviors` attribute,
+which is a `Set` of 0 or more instances of implementations of the `FieldBehavior` interface.
+Note that in some cases, these instances may be `enum` constants,
+but other times may be regular Objects.
+
+QQQ provides a set of common field behaviors.
+Applications can also define their own field behaviors by implementing the `FieldBehavior` interface,
+and attaching instances of their custom behavior classes to fields.
+
+===== ValueTooLongBehavior
+Used on String fields.  Requires the field to have a `maxLength` set.
+Depending on the chosen instance of this enum, before a record is Inserted or Updated,
+if the value in the field is longer than the `maxLength`, then one of the following actions can occur:
+
+* `TRUNCATE` - The value will be simply truncated to the `maxLength`.
+* `TRUNCATE_ELLIPSIS` - The value will be truncated to 3 characters less than the `maxLength`, and three periods (an ellipsis) will be placed at the end.
+* `ERROR` - An error will be reported, and the record will not be inserted or updated.
+* `PASS_THROUGH` - Nothing will happen.  This is the same as not having a `ValueTooLongBehavior` on the field.
+
+[source,java]
+.Examples of using ValueTooLongBehavior
+----
+   new QFieldMetaData("sku", QFieldType.STRING)
+      .withMaxLength(40),
+      .withBehavior(ValueTooLongBehavior.ERROR),
+
+   new QFieldMetaData("reason", QFieldType.STRING)
+      .withMaxLength(250),
+      .withBehavior(ValueTooLongBehavior.TRUNCATE_ELLIPSIS),
+
+----
+
+===== DynamicDefaultValueBehavior
+Used to set a dynamic default value to a field when it is being inserted or updated.
+For example, instead of having a hard-coded `defaultValue` specified in the field meta-data,
+and instead of having to add, for example, a pre-insert custom action.
+
+* `CREATE_DATE` - On inserts, sets the field's value to the current time.
+* `MODIFY_DATE` - On inserts and updates, sets the field's value to the current time.
+* `USER_ID` - On inserts and updates, sets the field's value to the current user's id (but only if the value is currently null).
+
+_Note that the `QInstanceEnricher` will, by default, add the `CREATE_DATE` and `MODIFY_DATE` `DynamicDefaultValueBehavior`
+options to any fields named `"createDate"` or `"modifyDate"`.
+This behavior can be disabled by setting the `configAddDynamicDefaultValuesToFieldsNamedCreateDateAndModifyDate` property
+on the `QInstanceEnricher` instance used by the application to `false`._
+
+[source,java]
+.Examples of using DynamicDefaultValueBehavior
+----
+   new QFieldMetaData("createDate", QFieldType.DATE_TIME)
+      .withBehavior(DynamicDefaultValueBehavior.CREATE_DATE),
+
+   new QFieldMetaData("modifyDate", QFieldType.DATE_TIME)
+      .withBehavior(DynamicDefaultValueBehavior.MODIFY_DATE),
+
+   new QFieldMetaData("createdByUserId", QFieldType.STRING)
+      .withBehavior(DynamicDefaultValueBehavior.USER_ID),
+----
+
+===== DateTimeDisplayValueBehavior
+By default, in QQQ, fields of type `DATE_TIME` are stored in UTC,
+and their values in a QRecord is a java `Instant` instance, which is always UTC.
+However, frontends will prefer to display date-time values in the user's local Time Zone whenever possible.
+
+Using `DateTimeDisplayValueBehavior` allows a `DATE_TIME` field to be displayed in a different Time Zone.
+An example use-case for this would be displaying airplane flight times,
+where you would want a flight from California to New York to display Pacific Time for its departure time,
+and Eastern Time for its arrival.
+
+An instance of `DateTimeDisplayValueBehavior` can be configured to either use a hard-coded time `ZoneId`
+(for example, to always show users UTC, or a business's home-office time zone).
+Or, it can be set up to get the time zone to use from another field in the table.
+
+[source,java]
+.Examples of using DateTimeDisplayValueBehavior
+----
+new QTableMetaData().withName("flights").withFields(List.of(
+   ...
+   new QFieldMetaData("departureTimeZoneId", QFieldType.STRING),
+   new QFieldMetaData("arrivaTimeZoneId", QFieldType.STRING),
+
+   new QFieldMetaData("departureTime", QFieldType.DATE_TIME)
+      .withBehavior(new DateTimeDisplayValueBehavior()
+         .withZoneIdFromFieldName("departureTimeZoneId")),
+
+   new QFieldMetaData("arrivalTime", QFieldType.DATE_TIME)
+      .withBehavior(new DateTimeDisplayValueBehavior()
+         .withZoneIdFromFieldName("arrivalTimeZoneId"))
+
+   new QFieldMetaData("ticketSaleStartDateTime", QFieldType.DATE_TIME)
+      .withBehavior(new DateTimeDisplayValueBehavior()
+         .withDefaultZoneId("UTC"))
+----

docs/metaData/Joins.adoc

@@ -2,16 +2,57 @@
 == Joins
 include::../variables.adoc[]
 
-#TODO#
+A `QJoinMetaData` is a meta-data object that tells QQQ, essentially “it is possible for these 2 tables to join, here’s how to do it”.
+
+Joins can be used then, in an application, in a number of possible ways:
+
+* In a {link-table}, we can specify joins to be “exposed”, e.g., made available to users on a query screen
+* Also in a Table, as part of an “Association”, which sets up one table as a “parent” of another,
+such that you can store (and fetch) the child-records at the same time as the parent
+** A common use-case here may be an order & lineItem table -
+such that QQQ can generate an API uses to allow you to post an order and its lines in a single request, and they get stored all together
+* In defining the security field (record lock) on a table,
+sometimes, it isn’t a field directly on the table, but instead comes from a joined table (possibly even more than just 1 table away).
+** For example, maybe a lineItem table, doesn't have a clientId, but needs secured by that field
+- so its recordLock can specify a “joinNameChain” that describes how to get from lineItem to order.clientId
+* The `QueryAction` can take (through its QueryInput object) zero or more QueryJoin objects,
+which must make a reference (implicitly or explicitly) to a QJoinMetaData.
+See the section on <<QueryJoin,QueryJoins>> for more details.
 
 === QJoinMetaData
 Joins are defined in a QQQ Instance in a `*QJoinMetaData*` object.
 
-#TODO#
+In this object, we have the concept of a "leftTable" and a "rightTable".
+There isn't generally anything special about which table is on the "left" and which is on the "right".
+But the remaining pieces of the QJoinMetaData do all need to line-up with these sides.
+
+For example:
+
+* The Type (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one) - where the leftTable comes first, and rightTable comes second
+(e.g., a one-to-many means 1-row in leftTable has many-rows in rightTable associated with it)
+* In a JoinOn object, the 1st field name given is from the leftTable;
+the second fieldName from the rightTable.
 
 *QJoinMetaData Properties:*
 
-* `name` - *String, Required* - Unique name for the join within the QQQ Instance. #todo infererences or conventions?#
-
-#TODO#
+* `name` - *String, Required* - Unique name for the join within the QQQ Instance.
+** One convention is to name joins based on (leftTable + "Join" + rightTable).
+** If you do not wish to define join names yourself, the method `withInferredName()`
+can be called (which defers to
+`public static String makeInferredJoinName(String leftTable, String rightTable)`),
+to create a name for the join following the (leftTable + "Join" + rightTable) convention.
+* `leftTable` - *String, Required* - Name of a {link-table} in the {link-instance}.
+* `rightTable` - *String, Required* - Name of a {link-table} in the {link-instance}.
+* `type` - *enum, Required* - cardinality between the two tables in the join.
+** e.g., `ONE_TO_ONE`, `ONE_TO_MANY` (indicating 1 record in the left table may join
+to many records in the right table), or `MANY_TO_ONE` (vice-versa).
+** Note that there is no MANY_TO_MANY option, as a many-to-many is built as multiple QJoinMetaData's
+going through the intermediary (intersection) table.
+* `joinOns` - *List<JoinOn>, Required* - fields used to join the tables.
+Note: In the 2-arg JoinOn constructor, the leftTable's field comes first.
+Alternatively, the no-arg constructor can be used along with `.withLeftField().withRightField()`
+* `orderBys` - *List<QFilterOrderBy>* - Optional list of order-by objects,
+used in some framework-generated queries using the join.
+The field names are assumed to come from the rightTable.
 
+#TODO# what else do we need here?

docs/metaData/Processes.adoc

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Processes are defined in a QQQ Instance in a `*QProcessMetaData*` object.
 In addition to directly building a `QProcessMetaData` object setting its properties directly, there are a few common process patterns that provide *Builder* objects for ease-of-use.
 See StreamedETLWithFrontendProcess below for a common example
 
+[#_QProcessMetaData_Properties]
 *QProcessMetaData Properties:*
 
 * `name` - *String, Required* - Unique name for the process within the QQQ Instance.
@@ -30,12 +31,13 @@ See below for details.
 * `permissionRules` - *QPermissionRules object* - define the permission/access rules for the process.
 See {link-permissionRules} for details.
 * `steps` and `stepList` - *Map of String → <<QStepMetaData>>* and *List of QStepMetaData* - Defines the <<QFrontendStepMetaData,screens>> and <<QBackendStepMetaData,backend code>> that makes up the process.
-** `stepList` is the list of steps in the order that they will by default be executed.
-** `steps` is a map, including all steps from `stepList`, but which may also include steps which can used by the process if its backend steps make the decision to do so, at run-time.
+** `stepList` is the list of steps in the order that they will be executed
+(that is to say - this is the _default_ order of execution - but it can be customized - see <<_custom_process_flow>> for details).
+** `steps` is a map, including all steps from `stepList`, but which may also include steps which can used by the process if its backend steps make the decision to do so, at run-time (e.g., using <<_custom_process_flow>>).
 ** A process's steps are normally defined in one of two was:
 *** 1) by a single call to `.withStepList(List<QStepMetaData>)`, which internally adds each step into the `steps` map.
 *** 2) by multiple calls to `.addStep(QStepMetaData)`, which adds a step to both the `stepList` and `steps` map.
-** If a process also needs optional steps, they should be added by a call to `.addOptionalStep(QStepMetaData)`, which only places them in the `steps` map.
+** If a process also needs optional steps (for a <<_custom_process_flow>>), they should be added by a call to `.addOptionalStep(QStepMetaData)`, which only places them in the `steps` map.
 * `schedule` - *<<QScheduleMetaData>>* - set up the process to run automatically on the specified schedule.
 See below for details.
 * `minInputRecords` - *Integer* - #not used...#
@@ -214,3 +216,112 @@ But for some cases, doing page-level transactions can reduce long-transactions a
 * `withFields(List<QFieldMetaData> fieldList)` - Adds additional input fields to the preview step of the process.
 * `withBasepullConfiguration(BasepullConfiguration basepullConfiguration)` - Add a <<BasepullConfiguration>> to the process.
 * `withSchedule(QScheduleMetaData schedule)` - Add a <<QScheduleMetaData>> to the process.
+
+[#_custom_process_flow]
+==== Custom Process Flow
+As referenced in the definition of the <<_QProcessMetaData_Properties,QProcessMetaData Properties>>, by default, a process
+will execute each of its steps in-order, as defined in the `stepList` property.
+However, a Backend Step can customize this flow #todo - write more clearly here...
+
+There are generally 2 method to call (in a `BackendStep`) to do a dynamic flow:
+
+* `RunBackendStepOutput.setOverrideLastStepName(String stepName)`
+** QQQ's `RunProcessAction` keeps track of which step it "last" ran, e.g., to tell it which one to run next.
+However, if a step sets the `OverrideLastStepName` property in its output object,
+then the step named in that property becomes the effective "last" step,
+thus determining which step comes next.
+
+* `RunBackendStepOutput.updateStepList(List<String> stepNameList)`
+** Calling this method changes the process's runtime definition of steps to be executed.
+Thus allowing a completely custom flow.
+It should be noted, that the "last" step name (as tracked by QQQ within `RunProcessAction`)
+does need to be found in the new `stepNameList` - otherwise, the framework will not know where you were,
+for figuring out where to go next.
+
+[source,java]
+.Example of a defining process that can use a flexible flow:
+----
+// for a case like this, it would be recommended to define all step names in constants:
+public final static String STEP_START = "start";
+public final static String STEP_A     = "a";
+public final static String STEP_B     = "b";
+public final static String STEP_C     = "c";
+public final static String STEP_1     = "1";
+public final static String STEP_2     = "2";
+public final static String STEP_3     = "3";
+public final static String STEP_END   = "end";
+
+// also, to define the possible flows (lists of steps) in constants as well:
+public final static List<String> LETTERS_STEP_LIST = List.of(
+  STEP_START, STEP_A, STEP_B, STEP_C, STEP_END);
+
+public final static List<String> NUMBERS_STEP_LIST = List.of(
+  STEP_START, STEP_1, STEP_2, STEP_3, STEP_END);
+
+// when we define the process's meta-data, we only give a "skeleton" stepList -
+// we must at least have our starting step, and we may want at least one frontend step
+// for the UI to show some placeholder(s):
+QProcessMetaData process = new QProcessMetaData()
+   .withName(PROCESS_NAME)
+   .withStepList(List.of(
+      new QBackendStepMetaData().withName(STEP_START)
+         .withCode(new QCodeReference(/*...*/)),
+      new QFrontendStepMetaData()
+         .withName(STEP_END)
+   ));
+
+// the additional steps get added via `addOptionalStep`, which only puts them in
+// the process's stepMap, not its stepList!
+process.addOptionalStep(new QFrontendStepMetaData().withName(STEP_A));
+process.addOptionalStep(new QBackendStepMetaData().withName(STEP_B)
+   .withCode(new QCodeReference(/*...*/)));
+process.addOptionalStep(new QFrontendStepMetaData().withName(STEP_C));
+
+process.addOptionalStep(new QBackendStepMetaData().withName(STEP_1)
+   .withCode(new QCodeReference(/*...*/)));
+process.addOptionalStep(new QFrontendStepMetaData().withName(STEP_2));
+process.addOptionalStep(new QBackendStepMetaData().withName(STEP_3)
+   .withCode(new QCodeReference(/*...*/)));
+
+----
+
+[source,java]
+.Example of a process backend step adjusting the process's runtime flow:
+----
+/***************************************************************************
+** look at the value named "which". if it's "letters", then make the process
+** go through the stepList consisting of letters; else, update the step list
+** to be the "numbers" steps.
+**
+** Also - if the "skipSomeSteps" value is give as true, then set the
+** overrideLastStepName to skip again (in the letters case, skip past A, B
+** and C; in the numbers case, skip past 1 and 2).
+***************************************************************************/
+public static class StartStep implements BackendStep
+{
+  @Override
+  public void run(RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput, RunBackendStepOutput runBackendStepOutput) throws QException
+  {
+     Boolean skipSomeSteps = runBackendStepInput.getValueBoolean("skipSomeSteps");
+
+     if(runBackendStepInput.getValueString("which").equals("letters"))
+     {
+        runBackendStepOutput.updateStepList(LETTERS_STEP_LIST);
+        if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(skipSomeSteps))
+        {
+           runBackendStepOutput.setOverrideLastStepName(STEP_C);
+        }
+     }
+     else
+     {
+        runBackendStepOutput.updateStepList(NUMBERS_STEP_LIST);
+        if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(skipSomeSteps))
+        {
+           runBackendStepOutput.setOverrideLastStepName(STEP_2);
+        }
+     }
+  }
+}
+----
+
+

docs/misc/ScheduledJobs.adoc

@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+== Schedulers and Scheduled Jobs
+include::../variables.adoc[]
+
+QQQ has the ability to automatically run various types of jobs on schedules,
+either defined in your instance's meta-data,
+or optionally via data in your application, in a `scheduledJob` table.
+
+=== Schedulers and QSchedulerMetaData
+2 types of schedulers are included in QQQ by default (though an application can define its own schedulers):
+
+* `SimpleScheduler` - is (as its name suggests) a simple class which uses java's `ScheduledExecutorService`
+to run jobs on repeating intervals.
+** Cannot run cron schedules - only repeating intervals.
+** If multiple servers are running, each will potentially run the same job concurrently
+** Has no configurations, e.g., to limit the number of threads.
+
+* `QuartzScheduler` - uses the 3rd party https://www.quartz-scheduler.org/[Quartz Scheduler] library to provide
+a much more capable, though admittedly more complex, scheduling solution.
+** Can run both cron schedules and repeating intervals.
+** By default, will not allow concurrent executions of the same job.
+** Supports multiple configurations, e.g., to limit the number of threads.
+
+An application can define its own scheduler by providing a class which implements the `QSchedulerInterface`.
+
+A `QInstance` can work with 0 or more schedulers, as defined by adding `QSchedulerMetaData` objects
+to the instance.
+
+This meta-data class is `abstract`, and is extended by the 2 built-in schedulers
+(e.g., `SimpleSchedulerMetaData` and `QuartzSchedulerMetaData`).  As such,
+these concrete subclasses are what you need to instantiate and add to your instance.
+
+To configure a QuartzScheduler, you can add a `Properties` object to the `QuartzSchedulerMetaData` object.
+See https://www.quartz-scheduler.org/documentation/[Quartz's documentation] for available configuration properties.
+
+[source,java]
+.Defining SchedulerMetaData
+----
+qInstance.addScheduler(new SimpleSchedulerMetaData().withName("mySimpleScheduler"));
+
+qInstance.addScheduler(new QuartzSchedulerMetaData()
+   .withName("myQuartzScheduler")
+   .withProperties(myQuartzProperties);
+----
+
+=== SchedulableTypes
+The types of jobs which can be scheduled in a QQQ application are defined in the `QInstance` by
+instances of the `SchedulableType` meta-data class.
+These objects contain a name, along with a `QCodeReference` to the `runner`,
+which must be a class that implements the `SchedulableRunner` interface.
+
+By default, (in the `QInstanceEnricher`), QQQ will make 3 `SchedulableType` options available:
+
+* `PROCESS` - Any Process defined in the `QInstance` can be scheduled.
+* `QUEUE_PROCESSOR` - A Queue defined in the `QInstance`, which requires polling (e.g., SQS), can be scheduled.
+* `TABLE_AUTOMATIONS` - A Table in the `QInstance`, with `AutomationDetails` referring to an
+AutomationProvider which requires polling, can be scheduled.
+
+If an application only wants to use a subset of these `SchedulableType` options,
+or to add custom `SchedulableType` options,
+the `QInstance` will need to have 1 or more `SchedulableType` objects in it before the `QInstanceEnricher` runs.
+
+=== User-defined Scheduled Jobs
+To allow users to schedule jobs (rather than using programmer-defined schedules (in meta-data)),
+you can add a set of tables to your `QInstance`, using the `ScheduledJobsMetaDataProvider` class:
+
+[source,java]
+.Adding the ScheduledJob tables and related meta-data to a QInstance
+----
+new ScheduledJobsMetaDataProvider().defineAll(
+   qInstance, backendName, table -> tableEnricher(table));
+----
+
+This meta-data provider adds a "scheduledJob" and "scheduledJobParameter" table, along with
+some PossibleValueSources.
+These tables include post-action customizers, which manage (re-, un-) scheduling jobs based on
+changes made to records in this these tables.
+
+Also, when `QScheduleManager` is started, it will query these tables,and will schedule jobs as defined therein.
+
+_You can use a mix of user-defined and meta-data defined scheduled jobs in your instance.
+However, if a ScheduledJob record references a process, queue, or table automation with a
+meta-data defined schedule, the ScheduledJob will NOT be started by ScheduleManager --
+rather, the meta-data definition will "win"._
+
+[source,sql]
+.Example of inserting scheduled jobs records directly into an SQL backend
+----
+-- A process:
+INSERT INTO scheduled_job (label, scheduler_name, cron_expression, cron_time_zone_id, repeat_seconds, type, is_active) VALUES
+   ('myProcess', 'QuartzScheduler', null, null, 300, 'PROCESS', 1);
+INSERT INTO scheduled_job_parameter (scheduled_job_id, `key`, value) VALUES
+   ((SELECT id FROM scheduled_job WHERE label = 'myProcess'), 'processName', 'myProcess');
+
+-- A table's insert & update automations:
+INSERT INTO scheduled_job (label, scheduler_name, cron_expression, cron_time_zone_id, repeat_seconds, type, is_active) VALUES
+   ('myTable.PENDING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS', 'QuartzScheduler', null, null, 15, 'TABLE_AUTOMATIONS', 1),
+   ('myTable.PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS', 'QuartzScheduler', null, null, 15, 'TABLE_AUTOMATIONS', 1);
+INSERT INTO scheduled_job_parameter (scheduled_job_id, `key`, value) VALUES
+   ((SELECT id FROM scheduled_job WHERE label = 'myTable.PENDING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS'), 'tableName', 'myTable'),
+   ((SELECT id FROM scheduled_job WHERE label = 'myTable.PENDING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS'), 'automationStatus', 'PENDING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS'),
+   ((SELECT id FROM scheduled_job WHERE label = 'myTable.PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS'), 'tableName', 'myTable'),
+   ((SELECT id FROM scheduled_job WHERE label = 'myTable.PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS'), 'automationStatus', 'PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS');
+
+-- A queue processor:
+INSERT INTO scheduled_job (label, scheduler_name, cron_expression, cron_time_zone_id, repeat_seconds, type, is_active) VALUES
+   ('mySqsQueue', 'QuartzScheduler', null, null, 60, 'QUEUE_PROCESSOR', 1);
+INSERT INTO scheduled_job_parameter (scheduled_job_id, `key`, value) VALUES
+   ((SELECT id FROM scheduled_job WHERE label = 'mySqsQueue'), 'queueName', 'mySqsQueue');
+----
+
+=== Running Scheduled Jobs
+In a server running QQQ, if you wish to start running scheduled jobs, you need to initialize
+the `QScheduleManger` singleton class, then call its `start()` method.
+
+Note that internally, this class will check for a system property of `qqq.scheduleManager.enabled`
+or an environment variable of `QQQ_SCHEDULE_MANAGER_ENABLED`, and if the first value found is
+`"false"`, then the scheduler will not actually run its jobs (but, in the case of the `QuartzSchdeuler`,
+it will be available for managing scheduled jobs).
+
+The method `QScheduleManager.initInstance` requires 2 parameters:  Your `QInstance`, and a
+`Supplier<QSession>` lambda, which returns the session that will be used for scheduled jobs when they
+are executed.
+
+[source,java]
+.Starting the Schedule Manager service
+----
+QScheduleManager.initInstance(qInstance, () -> systemUserSession).start();
+----
+
+=== Examples
+[source,java]
+.Attach a schedule in meta-data to a Process
+----
+QProcessMetaData myProcess = new QProcessMetaData()
+   // ...
+   .withSchedule(new QScheduleMetaData()
+      .withSchedulerName("myScheduler")
+      .withDescription("Run myProcess every five minutes")
+      .withRepeatSeconds(300))
+----
+

pom.xml

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
    <packaging>pom</packaging>
 
    <modules>
+      <module>qqq-bom</module>
       <module>qqq-backend-core</module>
       <module>qqq-backend-module-api</module>
       <module>qqq-backend-module-filesystem</module>
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@
       <maven.compiler.showDeprecation>true</maven.compiler.showDeprecation>
       <maven.compiler.showWarnings>true</maven.compiler.showWarnings>
       <coverage.haltOnFailure>true</coverage.haltOnFailure>
-      <coverage.instructionCoveredRatioMinimum>0.80</coverage.instructionCoveredRatioMinimum>
+      <coverage.instructionCoveredRatioMinimum>0.75</coverage.instructionCoveredRatioMinimum>
       <coverage.classCoveredRatioMinimum>0.95</coverage.classCoveredRatioMinimum>
       <plugin.shade.phase>none</plugin.shade.phase>
    </properties>
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@
                <dependency>
                   <groupId>com.puppycrawl.tools</groupId>
                   <artifactId>checkstyle</artifactId>
-                  <version>9.0</version>
+                  <version>10.16.0</version>
                </dependency>
             </dependencies>
             <executions>
@@ -245,8 +246,7 @@ echo "   See also target/site/jacoco/index.html"
 echo "   and https://www.jacoco.org/jacoco/trunk/doc/counters.html"
 echo "------------------------------------------------------------"
 
-which xpath > /dev/null 2>&1
-if [ "$?" == "0" ]; then
+if which xpath > /dev/null 2>&1; then
    echo "Element\nInstructions Missed\nInstruction Coverage\nBranches Missed\nBranch Coverage\nComplexity Missed\nComplexity Hit\nLines Missed\nLines Hit\nMethods Missed\nMethods Hit\nClasses Missed\nClasses Hit\n" > /tmp/$$.headers
    xpath -n -q -e '/html/body/table/tfoot/tr[1]/td/text()' target/site/jacoco/index.html > /tmp/$$.values
    paste /tmp/$$.headers /tmp/$$.values | tail +2 | awk -v FS='\t' '{printf("%-20s %s\n",$1,$2)}'
@@ -255,8 +255,7 @@ else
    echo "xpath is not installed.  Jacoco coverage summary will not be produced here...";
 fi
 
-which xpath > /dev/null 2>&1
-if [ "$?" == "0" ]; then
+if which html2text > /dev/null 2>&1; then
    echo "Untested classes, per Jacoco:"
    echo "-----------------------------"
    for i in target/site/jacoco/*/index.html; do

qqq-backend-core/pom.xml

@@ -102,6 +102,16 @@
          <artifactId>fastexcel</artifactId>
          <version>0.12.15</version>
       </dependency>
+      <dependency>
+         <groupId>org.apache.poi</groupId>
+         <artifactId>poi</artifactId>
+         <version>5.2.5</version>
+      </dependency>
+      <dependency>
+         <groupId>org.apache.poi</groupId>
+         <artifactId>poi-ooxml</artifactId>
+         <version>5.2.5</version>
+      </dependency>
       <dependency>
          <groupId>com.auth0</groupId>
          <artifactId>auth0</artifactId>
@@ -163,6 +173,19 @@
          <version>1.12.321</version>
       </dependency>
 
+      <dependency>
+         <groupId>com.amazonaws</groupId>
+         <artifactId>aws-java-sdk-ses</artifactId>
+         <version>1.12.705</version>
+      </dependency>
+
+      <dependency>
+         <groupId>cloud.localstack</groupId>
+         <artifactId>localstack-utils</artifactId>
+         <version>0.2.20</version>
+         <scope>test</scope>
+      </dependency>
+
       <dependency>
          <groupId>org.quartz-scheduler</groupId>
          <artifactId>quartz</artifactId>
@@ -176,6 +199,12 @@
          <version>2.23.0</version>
       </dependency>
 
+      <dependency>
+         <groupId>com.sun.mail</groupId>
+         <artifactId>jakarta.mail</artifactId>
+         <version>2.0.1</version>
+      </dependency>
+
       <!-- Common deps for all qqq modules -->
       <dependency>
          <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/async/AsyncJobManager.java

@@ -159,7 +159,6 @@ public class AsyncJobManager
    private <T extends Serializable> T runAsyncJob(String jobName, AsyncJob<T> asyncJob, UUIDAndTypeStateKey uuidAndTypeStateKey, AsyncJobStatus asyncJobStatus)
    {
       String originalThreadName = Thread.currentThread().getName();
-      // Thread.currentThread().setName("Job:" + jobName + ":" + uuidAndTypeStateKey.getUuid().toString().substring(0, 8));
       Thread.currentThread().setName("Job:" + jobName);
       try
       {
@@ -170,17 +169,24 @@ public class AsyncJobManager
          LOG.debug("Completed job " + uuidAndTypeStateKey.getUuid());
          return (result);
       }
-      catch(Exception e)
+      catch(Throwable t)
       {
          asyncJobStatus.setState(AsyncJobState.ERROR);
-         asyncJobStatus.setCaughtException(e);
+         if(t instanceof Exception e)
+         {
+            asyncJobStatus.setCaughtException(e);
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            asyncJobStatus.setCaughtException(new QException("Caught throwable", t));
+         }
          getStateProvider().put(uuidAndTypeStateKey, asyncJobStatus);
 
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // if user facing, just log an info, warn otherwise //
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         LOG.log((e instanceof QUserFacingException) ? Level.INFO : Level.WARN, "Job ended with an exception", e, logPair("jobId", uuidAndTypeStateKey.getUuid()));
-         throw (new CompletionException(e));
+         LOG.log((t instanceof QUserFacingException) ? Level.INFO : Level.WARN, "Job ended with an exception", t, logPair("jobId", uuidAndTypeStateKey.getUuid()));
+         throw (new CompletionException(t));
       }
       finally
       {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/async/AsyncJobStatus.java

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import java.io.Serializable;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class AsyncJobStatus implements Serializable
 {
+   private String        jobName;
    private AsyncJobState state;
    private String        message;
    private Integer       current;
@@ -187,4 +188,36 @@ public class AsyncJobStatus implements Serializable
    {
       this.cancelRequested = cancelRequested;
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for jobName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getJobName()
+   {
+      return (this.jobName);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for jobName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setJobName(String jobName)
+   {
+      this.jobName = jobName;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for jobName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AsyncJobStatus withJobName(String jobName)
+   {
+      this.jobName = jobName;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/async/NonPersistedAsyncJobCallback.java

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.async;
+
+
+import java.util.UUID;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** subclass designed to be used when we want there to be an instance (so code
+ ** doesn't have to all be null-tolerant), but there's no one who will ever be
+ ** reading the status data, so we don't need to store the object in a
+ ** state provider.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class NonPersistedAsyncJobCallback extends AsyncJobCallback
+{
+   private final AsyncJobStatus asyncJobStatus;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public NonPersistedAsyncJobCallback(UUID jobUUID, AsyncJobStatus asyncJobStatus)
+   {
+      super(jobUUID, asyncJobStatus);
+      this.asyncJobStatus = asyncJobStatus;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   protected void storeUpdatedStatus()
+   {
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // noop - cf. base class, which writes to persistence here (our point is, we do not) //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/audits/DMLAuditAction.java

@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ public class DMLAuditAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<DMLAuditInput, DMLAu
             // sort the field names by their labels //
             //////////////////////////////////////////
             List<String> sortedFieldNames = table.getFields().keySet().stream()
-               .sorted(Comparator.comparing(fieldName -> table.getFields().get(fieldName).getLabel()))
+               .sorted(Comparator.comparing(fieldName -> Objects.requireNonNullElse(table.getFields().get(fieldName).getLabel(), fieldName)))
                .toList();
 
             QFieldMetaData primaryKeyField = table.getField(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ public class DMLAuditAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<DMLAuditInput, DMLAu
          }
          else
          {
-            String formattedValue = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(record, fieldName, field, value);
+            String formattedValue = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(table, record, fieldName, field, value);
             detailRecord = new QRecord().withValue("message", "Set " + field.getLabel() + " to " + formattedValue);
             detailRecord.withValue("newValue", formattedValue);
          }
@@ -329,8 +329,8 @@ public class DMLAuditAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<DMLAuditInput, DMLAu
             }
             else
             {
-               String formattedValue    = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(record, fieldName, field, value);
-               String formattedOldValue = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(oldRecord, fieldName, field, oldValue);
+               String formattedValue    = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(table, record, fieldName, field, value);
+               String formattedOldValue = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(table, oldRecord, fieldName, field, oldValue);
 
                if(oldValue == null)
                {
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ public class DMLAuditAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<DMLAuditInput, DMLAu
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private static String getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(QRecord record, String fieldName, QFieldMetaData field, Serializable value)
+   private static String getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record, String fieldName, QFieldMetaData field, Serializable value)
    {
       String formattedValue = null;
       if(value != null)
@@ -479,7 +479,8 @@ public class DMLAuditAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<DMLAuditInput, DMLAu
          }
          else
          {
-            formattedValue = QValueFormatter.formatValue(field, value);
+            QValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecord(table, table.getFields(), record);
+            formattedValue = record.getDisplayValue(fieldName);
          }
       }
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/automation/AutomationStatus.java

@@ -127,7 +127,6 @@ public enum AutomationStatus implements PossibleValueEnum<Integer>
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   @SuppressWarnings("checkstyle:indentation")
    public String getInsertOrUpdate()
    {
       return switch(this)

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/automation/polling/PollingAutomationPerTableRunner.java

@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
          // note - this method - will re-query the objects, so we should have confidence that their data is fresh... //
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          List<QRecord> matchingQRecords = getRecordsMatchingActionFilter(table, records, action);
-         LOG.debug("Of the {} records that were pending automations, {} of them match the filter on the action {}", records.size(), matchingQRecords.size(), action);
+         LOG.debug("Of the [" + records.size() + "] records that were pending automations, [" + matchingQRecords.size() + "] of them match the filter on the action:" +  action);
          if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(matchingQRecords))
          {
             LOG.debug("  Processing " + matchingQRecords.size() + " records in " + table + " for action " + action);
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Finally, actually run action code against a list of known matching records.
-    ** todo not commit - move to somewhere genericer
+    **
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static void applyActionToMatchingRecords(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, TableAutomationAction action) throws Exception
    {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/customizers/QCodeLoader.java

@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ public class QCodeLoader
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
-         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", logPair("codeReference", codeReference), e);
+         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", e, logPair("codeReference", codeReference));
 
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // return null here - under the assumption that during normal run-time operations, we'll never hit here //
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ public class QCodeLoader
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
-         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", logPair("codeReference", codeReference), e);
+         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", e, logPair("codeReference", codeReference));
 
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // return null here - under the assumption that during normal run-time operations, we'll never hit here //
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ public class QCodeLoader
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
-         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", logPair("codeReference", codeReference), e);
+         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", e, logPair("codeReference", codeReference));
 
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // return null here - under the assumption that during normal run-time operations, we'll never hit here //

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/customizers/RecordCustomizerUtilityInterface.java

@@ -50,10 +50,7 @@ public interface RecordCustomizerUtilityInterface
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Container for an old value and a new value.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   @SuppressWarnings("checkstyle:MethodName")
-   record Change(Serializable oldValue, Serializable newValue)
-   {
-   }
+   record Change(Serializable oldValue, Serializable newValue) {}
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
    public static String linkTableCreateWithDefaultValues(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, Map<String, Serializable> defaultValues) throws QException
    {
       String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
-      return (tablePath + "/create?defaultValues=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(defaultValues), Charset.defaultCharset()));
+      return (tablePath + "/create#defaultValues=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(defaultValues), Charset.defaultCharset()));
    }
 
 
@@ -183,7 +183,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
 
 
 
-
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/AbstractWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.QWidgetData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.QWidgetMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.WidgetDropdownData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.WidgetDropdownType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValue;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
@@ -72,80 +73,104 @@ public abstract class AbstractWidgetRenderer
     *******************************************************************************/
    protected boolean setupDropdowns(RenderWidgetInput input, QWidgetMetaData metaData, QWidgetData widgetData) throws QException
    {
-      List<List<Map<String, String>>> pvsData                   = new ArrayList<>();
-      List<String>                    pvsLabels                 = new ArrayList<>();
-      List<String>                    pvsNames                  = new ArrayList<>();
+      List<List<Map<String, String>>> dataList                  = new ArrayList<>();
+      List<String>                    labelList                 = new ArrayList<>();
+      List<String>                    nameList                  = new ArrayList<>();
       List<String>                    missingRequiredSelections = new ArrayList<>();
       for(WidgetDropdownData dropdownData : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(metaData.getDropdowns()))
       {
-         String               possibleValueSourceName = dropdownData.getPossibleValueSourceName();
-         QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource     = input.getInstance().getPossibleValueSource(possibleValueSourceName);
-
-         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // this looks complicated, but is just look for a label in the dropdown data and if found use it,                                                                                  //
-         // otherwise look for label in PVS and if found use that, otherwise just use the PVS name                                                                                          //
-         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         String pvsLabel = dropdownData.getLabel() != null ? dropdownData.getLabel() : (possibleValueSource.getLabel() != null ? possibleValueSource.getLabel() : possibleValueSourceName);
-         pvsLabels.add(pvsLabel);
-         pvsNames.add(possibleValueSourceName);
-
-         SearchPossibleValueSourceInput pvsInput = new SearchPossibleValueSourceInput();
-         pvsInput.setPossibleValueSourceName(possibleValueSourceName);
-
-         if(dropdownData.getForeignKeyFieldName() != null)
+         if(WidgetDropdownType.DATE_PICKER.equals(dropdownData.getType()))
          {
-            ////////////////////////////////////////
-            // look for an id in the query params //
-            ////////////////////////////////////////
-            Integer id = null;
-            if(input.getQueryParams() != null && input.getQueryParams().containsKey("id") && StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get("id")))
+            String name = dropdownData.getName();
+            nameList.add(name);
+            labelList.add(dropdownData.getLabel());
+            dataList.add(new ArrayList<>());
+
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // sure that something has been selected, and if not, display a message that a selection needs made       //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(dropdownData.getIsRequired())
             {
-               id = Integer.parseInt(input.getQueryParams().get("id"));
-            }
-            if(id != null)
-            {
-               pvsInput.setDefaultQueryFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(
-                  new QFilterCriteria(
-                     dropdownData.getForeignKeyFieldName(),
-                     QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS,
-                     id)));
+               if(!input.getQueryParams().containsKey(name) || !StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get(name)))
+               {
+                  missingRequiredSelections.add(dropdownData.getLabel());
+               }
             }
          }
-
-         SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput output = new SearchPossibleValueSourceAction().execute(pvsInput);
-
-         List<Map<String, String>> dropdownOptionList = new ArrayList<>();
-         pvsData.add(dropdownOptionList);
-
-         //////////////////////////////////////////
-         // sort results, dedupe, and add to map //
-         //////////////////////////////////////////
-         Set<String> exists = new HashSet<>();
-         output.getResults().removeIf(pvs -> !exists.add(pvs.getLabel()));
-         for(QPossibleValue<?> possibleValue : output.getResults())
+         else
          {
-            dropdownOptionList.add(MapBuilder.of(
-               "id", String.valueOf(possibleValue.getId()),
-               "label", possibleValue.getLabel()
-            ));
-         }
-
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // because we know the dropdowns and what the field names will be when something is selected, we can make //
-         // sure that something has been selected, and if not, display a message that a selection needs made       //
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         if(dropdownData.getIsRequired())
-         {
-            if(!input.getQueryParams().containsKey(possibleValueSourceName) || !StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get(possibleValueSourceName)))
+            String possibleValueSourceName = dropdownData.getPossibleValueSourceName();
+            if(possibleValueSourceName != null)
             {
-               missingRequiredSelections.add(pvsLabel);
+               QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource = input.getInstance().getPossibleValueSource(possibleValueSourceName);
+
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // this looks complicated, but is just look for a label in the dropdown data and if found use it,                                                                                  //
+               // otherwise look for label in PVS and if found use that, otherwise just use the PVS name                                                                                          //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               String pvsLabel = dropdownData.getLabel() != null ? dropdownData.getLabel() : (possibleValueSource.getLabel() != null ? possibleValueSource.getLabel() : possibleValueSourceName);
+               labelList.add(pvsLabel);
+               nameList.add(possibleValueSourceName);
+
+               SearchPossibleValueSourceInput pvsInput = new SearchPossibleValueSourceInput();
+               pvsInput.setPossibleValueSourceName(possibleValueSourceName);
+
+               if(dropdownData.getForeignKeyFieldName() != null)
+               {
+                  ////////////////////////////////////////
+                  // look for an id in the query params //
+                  ////////////////////////////////////////
+                  Integer id = null;
+                  if(input.getQueryParams() != null && input.getQueryParams().containsKey("id") && StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get("id")))
+                  {
+                     id = Integer.parseInt(input.getQueryParams().get("id"));
+                  }
+                  if(id != null)
+                  {
+                     pvsInput.setDefaultQueryFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(
+                        new QFilterCriteria(
+                           dropdownData.getForeignKeyFieldName(),
+                           QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS,
+                           id)));
+                  }
+               }
+
+               SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput output = new SearchPossibleValueSourceAction().execute(pvsInput);
+
+               List<Map<String, String>> dropdownOptionList = new ArrayList<>();
+               dataList.add(dropdownOptionList);
+
+               //////////////////////////////////////////
+               // sort results, dedupe, and add to map //
+               //////////////////////////////////////////
+               Set<String> exists = new HashSet<>();
+               output.getResults().removeIf(pvs -> !exists.add(pvs.getLabel()));
+               for(QPossibleValue<?> possibleValue : output.getResults())
+               {
+                  dropdownOptionList.add(MapBuilder.of(
+                     "id", String.valueOf(possibleValue.getId()),
+                     "label", possibleValue.getLabel()
+                  ));
+               }
+
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // because we know the dropdowns and what the field names will be when something is selected, we can make //
+               // sure that something has been selected, and if not, display a message that a selection needs made       //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(dropdownData.getIsRequired())
+               {
+                  if(!input.getQueryParams().containsKey(possibleValueSourceName) || !StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get(possibleValueSourceName)))
+                  {
+                     missingRequiredSelections.add(pvsLabel);
+                  }
+               }
             }
          }
       }
 
-      widgetData.setDropdownNameList(pvsNames);
-      widgetData.setDropdownLabelList(pvsLabels);
-      widgetData.setDropdownDataList(pvsData);
+      widgetData.setDropdownNameList(nameList);
+      widgetData.setDropdownLabelList(labelList);
+      widgetData.setDropdownDataList(dataList);
 
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // if there are any missing required dropdowns, build up a message to display //

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/ChildRecordListRenderer.java

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QNotFoundException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetOutput;
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.JsonUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 import org.apache.commons.lang.BooleanUtils;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -66,6 +68,9 @@ import org.apache.commons.lang.BooleanUtils;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class ChildRecordListRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
 {
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(ChildRecordListRenderer.class);
+
+
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
@@ -172,126 +177,134 @@ public class ChildRecordListRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
    @Override
    public RenderWidgetOutput render(RenderWidgetInput input) throws QException
    {
-      String         widgetLabel = input.getQueryParams().get("widgetLabel");
-      String         joinName    = input.getQueryParams().get("joinName");
-      QJoinMetaData  join        = input.getInstance().getJoin(joinName);
-      String         id          = input.getQueryParams().get("id");
-      QTableMetaData leftTable   = input.getInstance().getTable(join.getLeftTable());
-      QTableMetaData rightTable  = input.getInstance().getTable(join.getRightTable());
-
-      Integer maxRows = null;
-      if(StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get("maxRows")))
+      try
       {
-         maxRows = ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(input.getQueryParams().get("maxRows"));
-      }
-      else if(input.getWidgetMetaData().getDefaultValues().containsKey("maxRows"))
-      {
-         maxRows = ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(input.getWidgetMetaData().getDefaultValues().containsKey("maxRows"));
-      }
+         String         widgetLabel = input.getQueryParams().get("widgetLabel");
+         String         joinName    = input.getQueryParams().get("joinName");
+         QJoinMetaData  join        = input.getInstance().getJoin(joinName);
+         String         id          = input.getQueryParams().get("id");
+         QTableMetaData leftTable   = input.getInstance().getTable(join.getLeftTable());
+         QTableMetaData rightTable  = input.getInstance().getTable(join.getRightTable());
 
-      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      // fetch the record that we're getting children for. e.g., the left-side of the join, with the input id                                     //
-      // but - only try this if we were given an id.  note, this widget could be called for on an INSERT screen, where we don't have a record yet //
-      // but we still want to be able to return all the other data in here that otherwise comes from the widget meta data, join, etc.             //
-      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      int          totalRows     = 0;
-      QRecord      primaryRecord = null;
-      QQueryFilter filter        = null;
-      QueryOutput  queryOutput   = new QueryOutput(new QueryInput());
-      if(StringUtils.hasContent(id))
-      {
-         GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
-         getInput.setTableName(join.getLeftTable());
-         getInput.setPrimaryKey(id);
-         GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);
-         primaryRecord = getOutput.getRecord();
-
-         if(primaryRecord == null)
+         Integer maxRows = null;
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get("maxRows")))
          {
-            throw (new QNotFoundException("Could not find " + (leftTable == null ? "" : leftTable.getLabel()) + " with primary key " + id));
+            maxRows = ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(input.getQueryParams().get("maxRows"));
+         }
+         else if(input.getWidgetMetaData().getDefaultValues().containsKey("maxRows"))
+         {
+            maxRows = ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(input.getWidgetMetaData().getDefaultValues().containsKey("maxRows"));
          }
 
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // set up the query - for the table on the right side of the join //
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         filter = new QQueryFilter();
-         for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // fetch the record that we're getting children for. e.g., the left-side of the join, with the input id                                     //
+         // but - only try this if we were given an id.  note, this widget could be called for on an INSERT screen, where we don't have a record yet //
+         // but we still want to be able to return all the other data in here that otherwise comes from the widget meta data, join, etc.             //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         int          totalRows     = 0;
+         QRecord      primaryRecord = null;
+         QQueryFilter filter        = null;
+         QueryOutput  queryOutput   = new QueryOutput(new QueryInput());
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(id))
          {
-            filter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(joinOn.getRightField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, List.of(primaryRecord.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField()))));
-         }
-         filter.setOrderBys(join.getOrderBys());
-         filter.setLimit(maxRows);
+            GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
+            getInput.setTableName(join.getLeftTable());
+            getInput.setPrimaryKey(id);
+            GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);
+            primaryRecord = getOutput.getRecord();
 
-         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
-         queryInput.setTableName(join.getRightTable());
-         queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
-         queryInput.setShouldGenerateDisplayValues(true);
-         queryInput.setFilter(filter);
-         queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+            if(primaryRecord == null)
+            {
+               throw (new QNotFoundException("Could not find " + (leftTable == null ? "" : leftTable.getLabel()) + " with primary key " + id));
+            }
 
-         QValueFormatter.setBlobValuesToDownloadUrls(rightTable, queryOutput.getRecords());
-
-         totalRows = queryOutput.getRecords().size();
-         if(maxRows != null && (queryOutput.getRecords().size() == maxRows))
-         {
-            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // if the input said to only do some max, and the # of results we got is that max, //
-            // then do a count query, for displaying 1-n of <count>                            //
-            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            CountInput countInput = new CountInput();
-            countInput.setTableName(join.getRightTable());
-            countInput.setFilter(filter);
-            totalRows = new CountAction().execute(countInput).getCount();
-         }
-      }
-
-      String tablePath   = input.getInstance().getTablePath(rightTable.getName());
-      String viewAllLink = tablePath == null ? null : (tablePath + "?filter=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(filter), Charset.defaultCharset()));
-
-      ChildRecordListData widgetData = new ChildRecordListData(widgetLabel, queryOutput, rightTable, tablePath, viewAllLink, totalRows);
-
-      if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(ValueUtils.getValueAsBoolean(input.getQueryParams().get("canAddChildRecord"))))
-      {
-         widgetData.setCanAddChildRecord(true);
-
-         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // new child records must have values from the join-ons //
-         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         Map<String, Serializable> defaultValuesForNewChildRecords = new HashMap<>();
-         if(primaryRecord != null)
-         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // set up the query - for the table on the right side of the join //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            filter = new QQueryFilter();
             for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
             {
-               defaultValuesForNewChildRecords.put(joinOn.getRightField(), primaryRecord.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField()));
+               filter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(joinOn.getRightField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, List.of(primaryRecord.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField()))));
+            }
+            filter.setOrderBys(join.getOrderBys());
+            filter.setLimit(maxRows);
+
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+            queryInput.setTableName(join.getRightTable());
+            queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
+            queryInput.setShouldGenerateDisplayValues(true);
+            queryInput.setFilter(filter);
+            queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+
+            QValueFormatter.setBlobValuesToDownloadUrls(rightTable, queryOutput.getRecords());
+
+            totalRows = queryOutput.getRecords().size();
+            if(maxRows != null && (queryOutput.getRecords().size() == maxRows))
+            {
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if the input said to only do some max, and the # of results we got is that max, //
+               // then do a count query, for displaying 1-n of <count>                            //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               CountInput countInput = new CountInput();
+               countInput.setTableName(join.getRightTable());
+               countInput.setFilter(filter);
+               totalRows = new CountAction().execute(countInput).getCount();
             }
          }
 
-         widgetData.setDefaultValuesForNewChildRecords(defaultValuesForNewChildRecords);
+         String tablePath   = input.getInstance().getTablePath(rightTable.getName());
+         String viewAllLink = tablePath == null ? null : (tablePath + "?filter=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(filter), Charset.defaultCharset()));
 
-         Map<String, Serializable> widgetValues = input.getWidgetMetaData().getDefaultValues();
-         if(widgetValues.containsKey("disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords"))
+         ChildRecordListData widgetData = new ChildRecordListData(widgetLabel, queryOutput, rightTable, tablePath, viewAllLink, totalRows);
+
+         if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(ValueUtils.getValueAsBoolean(input.getQueryParams().get("canAddChildRecord"))))
          {
-            widgetData.setDisabledFieldsForNewChildRecords((Set<String>) widgetValues.get("disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords"));
-         }
-         else
-         {
-            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // if there are no disabled fields specified - then normally any fields w/ a default value get implicitly disabled //
-            // but - if we didn't look-up the primary record, then we'll want to explicit disable fields from joins            //
-            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            if(primaryRecord == null)
+            widgetData.setCanAddChildRecord(true);
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // new child records must have values from the join-ons //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            Map<String, Serializable> defaultValuesForNewChildRecords = new HashMap<>();
+            if(primaryRecord != null)
             {
-               Set<String> implicitlyDisabledFields = new HashSet<>();
-               widgetData.setDisabledFieldsForNewChildRecords(implicitlyDisabledFields);
                for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
                {
-                  implicitlyDisabledFields.add(joinOn.getRightField());
+                  defaultValuesForNewChildRecords.put(joinOn.getRightField(), primaryRecord.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField()));
+               }
+            }
+
+            widgetData.setDefaultValuesForNewChildRecords(defaultValuesForNewChildRecords);
+
+            Map<String, Serializable> widgetValues = input.getWidgetMetaData().getDefaultValues();
+            if(widgetValues.containsKey("disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords"))
+            {
+               widgetData.setDisabledFieldsForNewChildRecords((Set<String>) widgetValues.get("disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords"));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if there are no disabled fields specified - then normally any fields w/ a default value get implicitly disabled //
+               // but - if we didn't look-up the primary record, then we'll want to explicit disable fields from joins            //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(primaryRecord == null)
+               {
+                  Set<String> implicitlyDisabledFields = new HashSet<>();
+                  widgetData.setDisabledFieldsForNewChildRecords(implicitlyDisabledFields);
+                  for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
+                  {
+                     implicitlyDisabledFields.add(joinOn.getRightField());
+                  }
                }
             }
          }
-      }
 
-      return (new RenderWidgetOutput(widgetData));
+         return (new RenderWidgetOutput(widgetData));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Error rendering child record list", e, logPair("widgetName", () -> input.getWidgetMetaData().getName()));
+         throw (e);
+      }
    }
 
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/DateTimeGroupBy.java

@@ -256,7 +256,6 @@ public enum DateTimeGroupBy
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   @SuppressWarnings("checkstyle:indentation")
    public Instant roundDown(Instant instant, ZoneId zoneId)
    {
       ZonedDateTime zoned = instant.atZone(zoneId);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/interfaces/QStorageInterface.java

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.interfaces;
+
+
+import java.io.InputStream;
+import java.io.OutputStream;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.storage.StorageInput;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Interface for actions that a backend can perform, based on streaming data
+ ** into the backend's storage.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public interface QStorageInterface
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   OutputStream createOutputStream(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException;
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   InputStream getInputStream(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException;
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   default void makePublic(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException
+   {
+      //////////
+      // noop //
+      //////////
+   }
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   default String getDownloadURL(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException
+   {
+      return (null);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/messaging/SendMessageAction.java

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.messaging;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.AbstractQActionFunction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.messaging.SendMessageInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.messaging.SendMessageOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.messaging.QMessagingProviderMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.messaging.MessagingProviderInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.messaging.QMessagingProviderDispatcher;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class SendMessageAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<SendMessageInput, SendMessageOutput>
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public SendMessageOutput execute(SendMessageInput input) throws QException
+   {
+      if(!StringUtils.hasContent(input.getMessagingProviderName()))
+      {
+         throw (new QException("Messaging provider name was not given in SendMessageInput."));
+      }
+
+      QMessagingProviderMetaData messagingProvider = QContext.getQInstance().getMessagingProvider(input.getMessagingProviderName());
+      if(messagingProvider == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("Messaging provider named [" + input.getMessagingProviderName() + "] was not found in this QInstance."));
+      }
+
+      MessagingProviderInterface messagingProviderInterface = new QMessagingProviderDispatcher().getMessagingProviderInterface(messagingProvider.getType());
+
+      return (messagingProviderInterface.sendMessage(input));
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/metadata/JoinGraph.java

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.TreeSet;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QMetaDataVariableInterpreter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
@@ -41,9 +42,19 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class JoinGraph
 {
-
    private Set<Edge> edges = new HashSet<>();
 
+   ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // as an instance grows, with the number of joins (say, more than 50?), especially as they may have a lot of connections, //
+   // it can become very very slow to process a full join graph (e.g., 10 seconds, maybe much worse, per Big-O...)           //
+   // also, it's not frequently useful to look at a join path that's more than a handful of tables long.                     //
+   // thus - this property exists - to limit the max length of a join path.  Keeping it small keeps instance enrichment      //
+   // and validation reasonably performant, at the possible cost of, some join-path that's longer than this limit may not    //
+   // be found - but - chances are, you don't want some 12-element join path to be used anyway, thus, this makes sense.      //
+   // but - it can be adjusted, per system property or ENV var.                                                              //
+   ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   private int maxPathLength = new QMetaDataVariableInterpreter().getIntegerFromPropertyOrEnvironment("qqq.instance.joinGraph.maxPathLength", "QQQ_INSTANCE_JOIN_GRAPH_MAX_PATH_LENGTH", 3);
+
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
@@ -303,6 +314,13 @@ public class JoinGraph
 
                if(otherTableName != null)
                {
+                  if(newPath.size() > maxPathLength)
+                  {
+                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     // performance hack.  see comment at maxPathLength definition //
+                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     continue;
+                  }
 
                   JoinConnectionList newConnectionList = connectionList.copy();
                   JoinConnection     joinConnection    = new JoinConnection(otherTableName, edge.joinName);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/PermissionsHelper.java

@@ -500,7 +500,6 @@ public class PermissionsHelper
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   @SuppressWarnings("checkstyle:indentation")
    static PermissionSubType getEffectivePermissionSubType(QPermissionRules rules, PermissionSubType originalPermissionSubType)
    {
       if(rules == null || rules.getLevel() == null)
@@ -515,10 +514,10 @@ public class PermissionsHelper
       if(PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
       {
          return switch(rules.getLevel())
-            {
-               case NOT_PROTECTED -> null;
-               default -> PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS;
-            };
+         {
+            case NOT_PROTECTED -> null;
+            default -> PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS;
+         };
       }
       else
       {
@@ -527,30 +526,30 @@ public class PermissionsHelper
          // permission sub-type to what we expect to be set for the table                                      //
          ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          return switch(rules.getLevel())
+         {
+            case NOT_PROTECTED -> null;
+            case HAS_ACCESS_PERMISSION -> PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS;
+            case READ_WRITE_PERMISSIONS ->
             {
-               case NOT_PROTECTED -> null;
-               case HAS_ACCESS_PERMISSION -> PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS;
-               case READ_WRITE_PERMISSIONS ->
+               if(PrivatePermissionSubType.READ.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || PrivatePermissionSubType.WRITE.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
                {
-                  if(PrivatePermissionSubType.READ.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || PrivatePermissionSubType.WRITE.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
-                  {
-                     yield (originalPermissionSubType);
-                  }
-                  else if(TablePermissionSubType.INSERT.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || TablePermissionSubType.EDIT.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || TablePermissionSubType.DELETE.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
-                  {
-                     yield (PrivatePermissionSubType.WRITE);
-                  }
-                  else if(TablePermissionSubType.READ.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
-                  {
-                     yield (PrivatePermissionSubType.READ);
-                  }
-                  else
-                  {
-                     throw new IllegalStateException("Unexpected permissionSubType: " + originalPermissionSubType);
-                  }
+                  yield (originalPermissionSubType);
                }
-               case READ_INSERT_EDIT_DELETE_PERMISSIONS -> originalPermissionSubType;
-            };
+               else if(TablePermissionSubType.INSERT.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || TablePermissionSubType.EDIT.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || TablePermissionSubType.DELETE.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
+               {
+                  yield (PrivatePermissionSubType.WRITE);
+               }
+               else if(TablePermissionSubType.READ.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
+               {
+                  yield (PrivatePermissionSubType.READ);
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  throw new IllegalStateException("Unexpected permissionSubType: " + originalPermissionSubType);
+               }
+            }
+            case READ_INSERT_EDIT_DELETE_PERMISSIONS -> originalPermissionSubType;
+         };
       }
    }
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/processes/CancelProcessAction.java

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+/*
+ * 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.processes;
+
+
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.UUID;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QBadRequestException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.ProcessState;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunProcessInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunProcessOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.StateType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.UUIDAndTypeStateKey;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Action handler for running the cancel step of a qqq process
+ *
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class CancelProcessAction extends RunProcessAction
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(CancelProcessAction.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public RunProcessOutput execute(RunProcessInput runProcessInput) throws QException
+   {
+      ActionHelper.validateSession(runProcessInput);
+
+      QProcessMetaData process = runProcessInput.getInstance().getProcess(runProcessInput.getProcessName());
+      if(process == null)
+      {
+         throw new QBadRequestException("Process [" + runProcessInput.getProcessName() + "] is not defined in this instance.");
+      }
+
+      if(runProcessInput.getProcessUUID() == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QBadRequestException("Cannot cancel process - processUUID was not given."));
+      }
+
+      UUIDAndTypeStateKey    stateKey     = new UUIDAndTypeStateKey(UUID.fromString(runProcessInput.getProcessUUID()), StateType.PROCESS_STATUS);
+      Optional<ProcessState> processState = getState(runProcessInput.getProcessUUID());
+      if(processState.isEmpty())
+      {
+         throw (new QBadRequestException("Cannot cancel process - State for process UUID [" + runProcessInput.getProcessUUID() + "] was not found."));
+      }
+
+      RunProcessOutput runProcessOutput = new RunProcessOutput();
+      try
+      {
+         if(process.getCancelStep() != null)
+         {
+            LOG.info("Running cancel step for process", logPair("processName", process.getName()));
+            runBackendStep(runProcessInput, process, runProcessOutput, stateKey, process.getCancelStep(), process, processState.get());
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            LOG.debug("Process does not have a custom cancel step to run.", logPair("processName", process.getName()));
+         }
+      }
+      catch(QException qe)
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // upon exception (e.g., one thrown by a step), throw it. //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         throw (qe);
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("Error cancelling process", e));
+      }
+      finally
+      {
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // always put the final state in the process result //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         runProcessOutput.setProcessState(processState.get());
+      }
+
+      return (runProcessOutput);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/processes/QProcessCallbackFactory.java

@@ -23,11 +23,19 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.processes;
 
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.Collection;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QRuntimeException;
+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.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecordEntity;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -65,4 +73,56 @@ public class QProcessCallbackFactory
       };
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QProcessCallback forRecordEntity(QRecordEntity entity)
+   {
+      return forRecord(entity.toQRecord());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QProcessCallback forRecord(QRecord record)
+   {
+      String primaryKeyField = "id";
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(record.getTableName()))
+      {
+         primaryKeyField = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(record.getTableName()).getPrimaryKeyField();
+      }
+
+      Serializable primaryKeyValue = record.getValue(primaryKeyField);
+      if(primaryKeyValue == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QRuntimeException("Record did not have value in its primary key field [" + primaryKeyField + "]"));
+      }
+
+      return (forPrimaryKey(primaryKeyField, primaryKeyValue));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QProcessCallback forPrimaryKey(String fieldName, Serializable value)
+   {
+      return (forFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, value))));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QProcessCallback forPrimaryKeys(String fieldName, Collection<? extends Serializable> values)
+   {
+      return (forFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.IN, values))));
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/processes/RunBackendStepAction.java

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QUserFacingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
+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.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
@@ -71,7 +73,17 @@ public class RunBackendStepAction
       QStepMetaData stepMetaData = process.getStep(runBackendStepInput.getStepName());
       if(stepMetaData == null)
       {
-         throw new QException("Step [" + runBackendStepInput.getStepName() + "] is not defined in the process [" + process.getName() + "]");
+         if(process.getCancelStep() != null && Objects.equals(process.getCancelStep().getName(), runBackendStepInput.getStepName()))
+         {
+            /////////////////////////////////////
+            // special case for cancel step... //
+            /////////////////////////////////////
+            stepMetaData = process.getCancelStep();
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            throw new QException("Step [" + runBackendStepInput.getStepName() + "] is not defined in the process [" + process.getName() + "]");
+         }
       }
 
       if(!(stepMetaData instanceof QBackendStepMetaData backendStepMetaData))
@@ -82,7 +94,7 @@ public class RunBackendStepAction
       //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // ensure input data is set as needed - use callback object to get anything missing //
       //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      ensureRecordsAreInRequest(runBackendStepInput, backendStepMetaData);
+      ensureRecordsAreInRequest(runBackendStepInput, backendStepMetaData, process);
       ensureInputFieldsAreInRequest(runBackendStepInput, backendStepMetaData);
 
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -167,7 +179,7 @@ public class RunBackendStepAction
     ** check if this step uses a record list - and if so, if we need to get one
     ** via the callback
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void ensureRecordsAreInRequest(RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput, QBackendStepMetaData step) throws QException
+   private void ensureRecordsAreInRequest(RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput, QBackendStepMetaData step, QProcessMetaData process) throws QException
    {
       QFunctionInputMetaData inputMetaData = step.getInputMetaData();
       if(inputMetaData != null && inputMetaData.getRecordListMetaData() != null)
@@ -190,9 +202,44 @@ public class RunBackendStepAction
 
             queryInput.setFilter(callback.getQueryFilter());
 
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if process has a max-no of records, set a limit on the process of that number plus 1 //
+            // (the plus 1 being so we can see "oh, you selected more than that many; error!"       //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(process.getMaxInputRecords() != null)
+            {
+               if(callback.getQueryFilter() == null)
+               {
+                  queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter());
+               }
+
+               queryInput.getFilter().setLimit(process.getMaxInputRecords() + 1);
+            }
+
             QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
             runBackendStepInput.setRecords(queryOutput.getRecords());
-            // todo - handle 0 results found?
+
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if process defines a max, and more than the max were found, throw an error //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(process.getMaxInputRecords() != null)
+            {
+               if(queryOutput.getRecords().size() > process.getMaxInputRecords())
+               {
+                  throw (new QUserFacingException("Too many records were selected for this process.  At most, only " + process.getMaxInputRecords() + " can be selected."));
+               }
+            }
+
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if process defines a min, and fewer than the min were found, throw an error //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(process.getMinInputRecords() != null)
+            {
+               if(queryOutput.getRecords().size() < process.getMinInputRecords())
+               {
+                  throw (new QUserFacingException("Too few records were selected for this process.  At least " + process.getMinInputRecords() + " must be selected."));
+               }
+            }
          }
       }
    }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/processes/RunProcessAction.java

@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ public class RunProcessAction
    public static final String BASEPULL_THIS_RUNTIME_KEY = "basepullThisRuntimeKey";
    public static final String BASEPULL_LAST_RUNTIME_KEY = "basepullLastRuntimeKey";
    public static final String BASEPULL_TIMESTAMP_FIELD  = "basepullTimestampField";
-   public static final String BASEPULL_CONFIGURATION = "basepullConfiguration";
+   public static final String BASEPULL_CONFIGURATION    = "basepullConfiguration";
 
    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // indicator that the timestamp field should be updated - e.g., the execute step is finished. //
@@ -190,7 +190,25 @@ public class RunProcessAction
                // Run backend steps //
                ///////////////////////
                LOG.debug("Running backend step [" + step.getName() + "] in process [" + process.getName() + "]");
-               runBackendStep(runProcessInput, process, runProcessOutput, stateKey, backendStepMetaData, process, processState);
+               RunBackendStepOutput runBackendStepOutput = runBackendStep(runProcessInput, process, runProcessOutput, stateKey, backendStepMetaData, process, processState);
+
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if the step returned an override lastStepName, use that to determine how we proceed //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(runBackendStepOutput.getOverrideLastStepName() != null)
+               {
+                  LOG.debug("Process step [" + lastStepName + "] returned an overrideLastStepName [" + runBackendStepOutput.getOverrideLastStepName() + "]!");
+                  lastStepName = runBackendStepOutput.getOverrideLastStepName();
+               }
+
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // similarly, if the step produced an updatedFrontendStepList, propagate that data outward //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(runBackendStepOutput.getUpdatedFrontendStepList() != null)
+               {
+                  LOG.debug("Process step [" + lastStepName + "] generated an updatedFrontendStepList [" + runBackendStepOutput.getUpdatedFrontendStepList().stream().map(s -> s.getName()).toList() + "]!");
+                  runProcessOutput.setUpdatedFrontendStepList(runBackendStepOutput.getUpdatedFrontendStepList());
+               }
             }
             else
             {
@@ -317,6 +335,13 @@ public class RunProcessAction
          ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
          runProcessInput.seedFromProcessState(optionalProcessState.get());
 
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if we're restoring an old state, we can discard a previously stored updatedFrontendStepList - //
+         // it is only needed on the transitional edge from a backend-step to a frontend step, but not    //
+         // in the other directly                                                                         //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         optionalProcessState.get().setUpdatedFrontendStepList(null);
+
          ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // if there were values from the caller, put those (back) in the request //
          ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -339,7 +364,7 @@ public class RunProcessAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Run a single backend step.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void runBackendStep(RunProcessInput runProcessInput, QProcessMetaData process, RunProcessOutput runProcessOutput, UUIDAndTypeStateKey stateKey, QBackendStepMetaData backendStep, QProcessMetaData qProcessMetaData, ProcessState processState) throws Exception
+   protected RunBackendStepOutput runBackendStep(RunProcessInput runProcessInput, QProcessMetaData process, RunProcessOutput runProcessOutput, UUIDAndTypeStateKey stateKey, QBackendStepMetaData backendStep, QProcessMetaData qProcessMetaData, ProcessState processState) throws Exception
    {
       RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput = new RunBackendStepInput(processState);
       runBackendStepInput.setProcessName(process.getName());
@@ -368,14 +393,16 @@ public class RunProcessAction
          runBackendStepInput.setBasepullLastRunTime((Instant) runProcessInput.getValues().get(BASEPULL_LAST_RUNTIME_KEY));
       }
 
-      RunBackendStepOutput lastFunctionResult = new RunBackendStepAction().execute(runBackendStepInput);
-      storeState(stateKey, lastFunctionResult.getProcessState());
+      RunBackendStepOutput runBackendStepOutput = new RunBackendStepAction().execute(runBackendStepInput);
+      storeState(stateKey, runBackendStepOutput.getProcessState());
 
-      if(lastFunctionResult.getException() != null)
+      if(runBackendStepOutput.getException() != null)
       {
-         runProcessOutput.setException(lastFunctionResult.getException());
-         throw (lastFunctionResult.getException());
+         runProcessOutput.setException(runBackendStepOutput.getException());
+         throw (runBackendStepOutput.getException());
       }
+
+      return (runBackendStepOutput);
    }
 
 
@@ -495,15 +522,15 @@ public class RunProcessAction
       String basepullKeyValue = (basepullConfiguration.getKeyValue() != null) ? basepullConfiguration.getKeyValue() : process.getName();
 
       //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      // if backend specifies that it uses variants, look for that data in the session and append to our basepull key //
+      // if process specifies that it uses variants, look for that data in the session and append to our basepull key //
       //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      if(process.getSchedule() != null && process.getVariantBackend() != null)
+      if(process.getVariantBackend() != null)
       {
          QSession         session         = QContext.getQSession();
          QBackendMetaData backendMetaData = QContext.getQInstance().getBackend(process.getVariantBackend());
          if(session.getBackendVariants() == null || !session.getBackendVariants().containsKey(backendMetaData.getVariantOptionsTableTypeValue()))
          {
-            LOG.info("Could not find Backend Variant information for Backend '" + backendMetaData.getName() + "'");
+            LOG.warn("Could not find Backend Variant information for Backend '" + backendMetaData.getName() + "'");
          }
          else
          {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/CsvExportStreamer.java

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 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.reporting.QReportView;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
@@ -65,12 +66,12 @@ public class CsvExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    @Override
-   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label) throws QReportingException
+   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label, QReportView view) throws QReportingException
    {
       this.exportInput = exportInput;
       this.fields = fields;
       table = exportInput.getTable();
-      outputStream = this.exportInput.getReportOutputStream();
+      outputStream = this.exportInput.getReportDestination().getReportOutputStream();
 
       writeTitleAndHeader();
    }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/DistinctFilteringRecordPipe.java

@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  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.reporting;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashSet;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Set;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.UniqueKey;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Subclass of record pipe that ony allows through distinct records, based on
+ ** the set of fields specified in the constructor as a uniqueKey.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class DistinctFilteringRecordPipe extends RecordPipe
+{
+   private UniqueKey         uniqueKey;
+   private Set<Serializable> seenValues = new HashSet<>();
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public DistinctFilteringRecordPipe(UniqueKey uniqueKey)
+   {
+      this.uniqueKey = uniqueKey;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor that accepts pipe's overrideCapacity (allowed to be null)
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public DistinctFilteringRecordPipe(UniqueKey uniqueKey, Integer overrideCapacity)
+   {
+      super(overrideCapacity);
+      this.uniqueKey = uniqueKey;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void addRecords(List<QRecord> records) throws QException
+   {
+      List<QRecord> recordsToAdd = new ArrayList<>();
+      for(QRecord record : records)
+      {
+         if(!seenBefore(record))
+         {
+            recordsToAdd.add(record);
+         }
+      }
+
+      if(recordsToAdd.isEmpty())
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      super.addRecords(recordsToAdd);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void addRecord(QRecord record) throws QException
+   {
+      if(seenBefore(record))
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      super.addRecord(record);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** return true if we've seen this record before (based on the unique key) -
+    ** also - update the set of seen values!
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private boolean seenBefore(QRecord record)
+   {
+      Serializable ukValues = extractUKValues(record);
+      if(seenValues.contains(ukValues))
+      {
+         return true;
+      }
+      seenValues.add(ukValues);
+      return false;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private Serializable extractUKValues(QRecord record)
+   {
+      if(uniqueKey.getFieldNames().size() == 1)
+      {
+         return (record.getValue(uniqueKey.getFieldNames().get(0)));
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         ArrayList<Serializable> rs = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(String fieldName : uniqueKey.getFieldNames())
+         {
+            rs.add(record.getValue(fieldName));
+         }
+         return (rs);
+      }
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/ExportAction.java

@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryJoin;
 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.fields.QFieldType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportView;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.ExposedJoin;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ public class ExportAction
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // check if this report format has a max-rows limit -- if so, do a count to verify we're under the limit //
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      ReportFormat reportFormat = exportInput.getReportFormat();
+      ReportFormat reportFormat = exportInput.getReportDestination().getReportFormat();
       verifyCountUnderMax(exportInput, backendModule, reportFormat);
 
       preExecuteRan = true;
@@ -189,6 +190,9 @@ public class ExportAction
       Set<String>     addedJoinNames = new HashSet<>();
       if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(exportInput.getFieldNames()))
       {
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // make sure that any tables being selected from are included as (LEFT) joins in the query //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          for(String fieldName : exportInput.getFieldNames())
          {
             if(fieldName.contains("."))
@@ -197,27 +201,7 @@ public class ExportAction
                String   joinTableName = parts[0];
                if(!addedJoinNames.contains(joinTableName))
                {
-                  QueryJoin queryJoin = new QueryJoin(joinTableName).withType(QueryJoin.Type.LEFT).withSelect(true);
-                  queryJoins.add(queryJoin);
-
-                  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-                  // in at least some cases, we need to let the queryJoin know what join-meta-data to use... //
-                  // This code basically mirrors what QFMD is doing right now, so it's better -              //
-                  // but shouldn't all of this just be in JoinsContext?  it does some of this...             //
-                  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-                  QTableMetaData        table               = exportInput.getTable();
-                  Optional<ExposedJoin> exposedJoinOptional = CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getExposedJoins()).stream().filter(ej -> ej.getJoinTable().equals(joinTableName)).findFirst();
-                  if(exposedJoinOptional.isEmpty())
-                  {
-                     throw (new QException("Could not find exposed join between base table " + table.getName() + " and requested join table " + joinTableName));
-                  }
-                  ExposedJoin exposedJoin = exposedJoinOptional.get();
-
-                  if(exposedJoin.getJoinPath().size() == 1)
-                  {
-                     queryJoin.setJoinMetaData(QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(exposedJoin.getJoinPath().get(exposedJoin.getJoinPath().size() - 1)));
-                  }
-
+                  queryJoins.add(new QueryJoin(joinTableName).withType(QueryJoin.Type.LEFT).withSelect(true));
                   addedJoinNames.add(joinTableName);
                }
             }
@@ -232,6 +216,7 @@ public class ExportAction
       }
       queryInput.getFilter().setLimit(exportInput.getLimit());
       queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
+      queryInput.withQueryHint(QueryInput.QueryHint.POTENTIALLY_LARGE_NUMBER_OF_RESULTS);
 
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // tell this query that it needs to put its output into a pipe //
@@ -242,10 +227,19 @@ public class ExportAction
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // set up a report streamer, which will read rows from the pipe, and write formatted report rows to the output stream //
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      ReportFormat            reportFormat   = exportInput.getReportFormat();
+      ReportFormat            reportFormat   = exportInput.getReportDestination().getReportFormat();
       ExportStreamerInterface reportStreamer = reportFormat.newReportStreamer();
       List<QFieldMetaData>    fields         = getFields(exportInput);
-      reportStreamer.start(exportInput, fields, "Sheet 1");
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // it seems we can pass a view with just a name in here //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      List<QReportView> views = new ArrayList<>();
+      views.add(new QReportView()
+         .withName("export"));
+
+      reportStreamer.preRun(exportInput.getReportDestination(), views);
+      reportStreamer.start(exportInput, fields, "Sheet 1", views.get(0));
 
       //////////////////////////////////////////
       // run the query action as an async job //
@@ -334,7 +328,7 @@ public class ExportAction
 
       try
       {
-         exportInput.getReportOutputStream().close();
+         exportInput.getReportDestination().getReportOutputStream().close();
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/ExportStreamerInterface.java

@@ -26,8 +26,10 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportDestination;
 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.reporting.QReportView;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -35,20 +37,14 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public interface ExportStreamerInterface
 {
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Called once, before any rows are available.  Meant to write a header, for example.
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label) throws QReportingException;
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Called as records flow into the pipe.
-    ******************************************************************************/
-   void addRecords(List<QRecord> recordList) throws QReportingException;
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Called once, after all rows are available.  Meant to write a footer, or close resources, for example.
+    ** Called once, before any sheets are actually being produced.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   void finish() throws QReportingException;
+   default void preRun(ReportDestination reportDestination, List<QReportView> views) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      // noop in base class
+   }
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
@@ -58,6 +54,20 @@ public interface ExportStreamerInterface
       // noop in base class
    }
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Called once per sheet, before any rows are available.  Meant to write a
+    ** header, for example.
+    **
+    ** If multiple sheets are being created, there is no separate end-sheet call.
+    ** Rather, a new one will just get started...
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label, QReportView view) throws QReportingException;
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Called as records flow into the pipe.
+    ******************************************************************************/
+   void addRecords(List<QRecord> recordList) throws QReportingException;
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -65,4 +75,11 @@ public interface ExportStreamerInterface
    {
       addRecords(List.of(record));
    }
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Called after all sheets are complete.  Meant to do a final write, or close
+    ** resources, for example.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   void finish() throws QReportingException;
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/GenerateReportAction.java

@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting;
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.math.BigDecimal;
+import java.time.Instant;
+import java.time.LocalDate;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
@@ -32,18 +34,23 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 import java.util.function.Function;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.AbstractQActionFunction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncRecordPipeLoop;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.customizers.DataSourceQueryInputCustomizer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.customizers.ReportViewCustomizer;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.CountAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QFormulaException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QUserFacingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QMetaDataVariableInterpreter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
@@ -51,6 +58,9 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutp
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportFormat;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.JoinsContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterOrderBy;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
@@ -68,12 +78,17 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwith
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.BackendStepPostRunInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.BackendStepPostRunOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ObjectUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.Pair;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.AggregatesInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.BigDecimalAggregates;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.InstantAggregates;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.IntegerAggregates;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.LocalDateAggregates;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.LongAggregates;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.StringAggregates;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -88,7 +103,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.LongAggregates;
  ** - summaries (like pivot tables, but called summary to avoid confusion with "native" pivot tables),
  ** - native pivot tables (not initially supported, due to lack of support in fastexcel...).
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class GenerateReportAction
+public class GenerateReportAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<ReportInput, ReportOutput>
 {
    private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(GenerateReportAction.class);
 
@@ -102,50 +117,67 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    // Aggregates: (count:47;sum:10,000;max:2,000;min:15)                                                      //
    // salesSummaryReport > [(state:MO),(city:St.Louis)] > salePrice  > (count:47;sum:10,000;max:2,000;min:15) //
    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-   Map<String, Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>>>> summaryAggregates  = new HashMap<>();
-   Map<String, Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>>>> varianceAggregates = new HashMap<>();
+   Map<String, Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>>>> summaryAggregates  = new HashMap<>();
+   Map<String, Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>>>> varianceAggregates = new HashMap<>();
 
-   Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>> totalAggregates         = new HashMap<>();
-   Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>> varianceTotalAggregates = new HashMap<>();
+   Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>> totalAggregates         = new HashMap<>();
+   Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>> varianceTotalAggregates = new HashMap<>();
 
-   private QReportMetaData         report;
-   private ReportFormat            reportFormat;
    private ExportStreamerInterface reportStreamer;
+   private List<QReportDataSource> dataSources;
+   private List<QReportView>       views;
+
+   private Map<String, Integer> countByDataSource = new HashMap<>();
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public void execute(ReportInput reportInput) throws QException
+   public ReportOutput execute(ReportInput reportInput) throws QException
    {
-      report = reportInput.getInstance().getReport(reportInput.getReportName());
-      reportFormat = reportInput.getReportFormat();
+      ReportOutput    reportOutput = new ReportOutput();
+      QReportMetaData report       = getReportMetaData(reportInput);
+
+      this.views = report.getViews();
+      this.dataSources = report.getDataSources();
+
+      ReportFormat reportFormat = reportInput.getReportDestination().getReportFormat();
       if(reportFormat == null)
       {
          throw new QException("Report format was not specified.");
       }
-      reportStreamer = reportFormat.newReportStreamer();
+
+      if(reportInput.getOverrideExportStreamerSupplier() != null)
+      {
+         reportStreamer = reportInput.getOverrideExportStreamerSupplier().get();
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         reportStreamer = reportFormat.newReportStreamer();
+      }
+
+      reportStreamer.preRun(reportInput.getReportDestination(), views);
 
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // foreach data source, do a query (possibly more than 1, if it goes to multiple table views) //
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      for(QReportDataSource dataSource : report.getDataSources())
+      for(QReportDataSource dataSource : dataSources)
       {
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // make a list of the views that use this data source for various purposes. //
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         List<QReportView> dataSourceTableViews = report.getViews().stream()
+         List<QReportView> dataSourceTableViews = views.stream()
             .filter(v -> v.getType().equals(ReportType.TABLE))
             .filter(v -> v.getDataSourceName().equals(dataSource.getName()))
             .toList();
 
-         List<QReportView> dataSourceSummaryViews = report.getViews().stream()
+         List<QReportView> dataSourceSummaryViews = views.stream()
             .filter(v -> v.getType().equals(ReportType.SUMMARY))
             .filter(v -> v.getDataSourceName().equals(dataSource.getName()))
             .toList();
 
-         List<QReportView> dataSourceVariantViews = report.getViews().stream()
+         List<QReportView> dataSourceVariantViews = views.stream()
             .filter(v -> v.getType().equals(ReportType.SUMMARY))
             .filter(v -> v.getVarianceDataSourceName() != null && v.getVarianceDataSourceName().equals(dataSource.getName()))
             .toList();
@@ -184,24 +216,50 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
                ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                // start the table-view (e.g., open this tab in xlsx) and then run the query-loop //
                ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               startTableView(reportInput, dataSource, dataSourceTableView);
+               startTableView(reportInput, dataSource, dataSourceTableView, reportFormat);
                gatherData(reportInput, dataSource, dataSourceTableView, dataSourceSummaryViews, dataSourceVariantViews);
             }
          }
       }
 
+      //////////////////////
+      // add pivot sheets //
+      //////////////////////
+      for(QReportView view : views)
+      {
+         if(view.getType().equals(ReportType.PIVOT))
+         {
+            if(reportFormat.getSupportsNativePivotTables())
+            {
+               startTableView(reportInput, null, view, reportFormat);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               LOG.warn("Request to render a report with a PIVOT type view, for a format that does not support native pivot tables", logPair("reportFormat", reportFormat));
+            }
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // there's no data to add to a pivot table, so nothing else to do here. //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         }
+      }
+
       outputSummaries(reportInput);
 
+      reportOutput.setTotalRecordCount(countByDataSource.values().stream().mapToInt(Integer::intValue).sum());
+
       reportStreamer.finish();
 
       try
       {
-         reportInput.getReportOutputStream().close();
+         reportInput.getReportDestination().getReportOutputStream().close();
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
          throw (new QReportingException("Error completing report", e));
       }
+
+      return (reportOutput);
    }
 
 
@@ -209,28 +267,48 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void startTableView(ReportInput reportInput, QReportDataSource dataSource, QReportView reportView) throws QException
+   private QReportMetaData getReportMetaData(ReportInput reportInput) throws QException
    {
-      QTableMetaData table = reportInput.getInstance().getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable());
+      if(reportInput.getReportMetaData() != null)
+      {
+         return reportInput.getReportMetaData();
+      }
 
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(reportInput.getReportName()))
+      {
+         return QContext.getQInstance().getReport(reportInput.getReportName());
+      }
+
+      throw (new QReportingException("ReportInput did not contain required parameters to identify the report being generated"));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void startTableView(ReportInput reportInput, QReportDataSource dataSource, QReportView reportView, ReportFormat reportFormat) throws QException
+   {
       QMetaDataVariableInterpreter variableInterpreter = new QMetaDataVariableInterpreter();
       variableInterpreter.addValueMap("input", reportInput.getInputValues());
 
       ExportInput exportInput = new ExportInput();
-      exportInput.setReportFormat(reportFormat);
-      exportInput.setFilename(reportInput.getFilename());
+      exportInput.setReportDestination(reportInput.getReportDestination());
       exportInput.setTitleRow(getTitle(reportView, variableInterpreter));
       exportInput.setIncludeHeaderRow(reportView.getIncludeHeaderRow());
-      exportInput.setReportOutputStream(reportInput.getReportOutputStream());
 
       JoinsContext joinsContext = null;
-      if(StringUtils.hasContent(dataSource.getSourceTable()))
+      if(dataSource != null)
       {
-         joinsContext = new JoinsContext(exportInput.getInstance(), dataSource.getSourceTable(), dataSource.getQueryJoins(), dataSource.getQueryFilter());
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(dataSource.getSourceTable()))
+         {
+            joinsContext = new JoinsContext(exportInput.getInstance(), dataSource.getSourceTable(), dataSource.getQueryJoins(), dataSource.getQueryFilter());
+            countDataSourceRecords(reportInput, dataSource, reportFormat);
+         }
       }
 
       List<QFieldMetaData> fields = new ArrayList<>();
-      for(QReportField column : reportView.getColumns())
+      for(QReportField column : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(reportView.getColumns()))
       {
          if(column.getIsVirtual())
          {
@@ -242,7 +320,7 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
             JoinsContext.FieldAndTableNameOrAlias fieldAndTableNameOrAlias = joinsContext == null ? null : joinsContext.getFieldAndTableNameOrAlias(effectiveFieldName);
             if(fieldAndTableNameOrAlias == null || fieldAndTableNameOrAlias.field() == null)
             {
-               throw new QReportingException("Could not find field named [" + effectiveFieldName + "] in dataSource [" + dataSource.getName() + "]");
+               throw new QReportingException("Could not find field named [" + effectiveFieldName + "] in dataSource [" + (dataSource == null ? null : dataSource.getName()) + "]");
             }
 
             QFieldMetaData field = fieldAndTableNameOrAlias.field().clone();
@@ -256,7 +334,7 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       }
 
       reportStreamer.setDisplayFormats(getDisplayFormatMap(fields));
-      reportStreamer.start(exportInput, fields, reportView.getLabel());
+      reportStreamer.start(exportInput, fields, reportView.getLabel(), reportView);
    }
 
 
@@ -264,7 +342,36 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void gatherData(ReportInput reportInput, QReportDataSource dataSource, QReportView tableView, List<QReportView> summaryViews, List<QReportView> variantViews) throws QException
+   private void countDataSourceRecords(ReportInput reportInput, QReportDataSource dataSource, ReportFormat reportFormat) throws QException
+   {
+      QQueryFilter queryFilter = dataSource.getQueryFilter() == null ? new QQueryFilter() : dataSource.getQueryFilter().clone();
+      setInputValuesInQueryFilter(reportInput, queryFilter);
+
+      CountInput countInput = new CountInput();
+      countInput.setTableName(dataSource.getSourceTable());
+      countInput.setFilter(queryFilter);
+      countInput.setQueryJoins(dataSource.getQueryJoins());
+      CountOutput countOutput = new CountAction().execute(countInput);
+
+      if(countOutput.getCount() != null)
+      {
+         countByDataSource.put(dataSource.getName(), countOutput.getCount());
+
+         if(reportFormat.getMaxRows() != null && countOutput.getCount() > reportFormat.getMaxRows())
+         {
+            throw (new QUserFacingException("The requested report would include more rows ("
+               + String.format("%,d", countOutput.getCount()) + ") than the maximum allowed ("
+               + String.format("%,d", reportFormat.getMaxRows()) + ") for the selected file format (" + reportFormat + ")."));
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private Integer gatherData(ReportInput reportInput, QReportDataSource dataSource, QReportView tableView, List<QReportView> summaryViews, List<QReportView> variantViews) throws QException
    {
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // check if this view has a transform step - if so, set it up now and run its pre-run //
@@ -291,6 +398,9 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       RunBackendStepInput   finalTransformStepInput  = transformStepInput;
       RunBackendStepOutput  finalTransformStepOutput = transformStepOutput;
 
+      String        tableLabel    = ObjectUtils.tryElse(() -> QContext.getQInstance().getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable()).getLabel(), Objects.requireNonNullElse(dataSource.getSourceTable(), ""));
+      AtomicInteger consumedCount = new AtomicInteger(0);
+
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // run a record pipe loop, over the query for this data source //
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -307,6 +417,7 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
             queryInput.setTableName(dataSource.getSourceTable());
             queryInput.setFilter(queryFilter);
             queryInput.setQueryJoins(dataSource.getQueryJoins());
+            queryInput.withQueryHint(QueryInput.QueryHint.POTENTIALLY_LARGE_NUMBER_OF_RESULTS);
 
             queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
             queryInput.setFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues(setupFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues(reportInput, dataSource, new JoinsContext(reportInput.getInstance(), dataSource.getSourceTable(), dataSource.getQueryJoins(), queryInput.getFilter())));
@@ -346,10 +457,21 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
          if(finalTransformStep != null)
          {
             finalTransformStepInput.setRecords(records);
-            finalTransformStep.run(finalTransformStepInput, finalTransformStepOutput);
+            finalTransformStep.runOnePage(finalTransformStepInput, finalTransformStepOutput);
             records = finalTransformStepOutput.getRecords();
          }
 
+         Integer total = countByDataSource.get(dataSource.getName());
+         if(total != null)
+         {
+            reportInput.getAsyncJobCallback().updateStatus("Processing " + tableLabel + " records", consumedCount.get() + 1, total);
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            reportInput.getAsyncJobCallback().updateStatus("Processing " + tableLabel + " records (" + String.format("%,d", consumedCount.get() + 1) + ")");
+         }
+         consumedCount.getAndAdd(records.size());
+
          return (consumeRecords(reportInput, dataSource, records, tableView, summaryViews, variantViews));
       });
 
@@ -360,6 +482,8 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       {
          transformStep.postRun(new BackendStepPostRunInput(transformStepInput), new BackendStepPostRunOutput(transformStepOutput));
       }
+
+      return consumedCount.get();
    }
 
 
@@ -367,11 +491,11 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private Set<String> setupFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues(ReportInput reportInput, QReportDataSource dataSource, JoinsContext joinsContext)
+   private Set<String> setupFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues(ReportInput reportInput, QReportDataSource dataSource, JoinsContext joinsContext) throws QException
    {
       Set<String> fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues = new HashSet<>();
 
-      for(QReportView view : report.getViews())
+      for(QReportView view : views)
       {
          for(QReportField column : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(view.getColumns()))
          {
@@ -385,15 +509,16 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
             }
          }
 
-         for(String summaryField : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(view.getPivotFields()))
+         for(String summaryFieldName : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(view.getSummaryFields()))
          {
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             // all pivotFields that are possible value sources are implicitly translated //
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            QTableMetaData table = reportInput.getInstance().getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable());
-            if(table.getField(summaryField).getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
+            QTableMetaData    mainTable         = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable());
+            FieldAndJoinTable fieldAndJoinTable = getFieldAndJoinTable(mainTable, summaryFieldName);
+            if(fieldAndJoinTable.field().getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
             {
-               fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues.add(summaryField);
+               fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues.add(summaryFieldName);
             }
          }
       }
@@ -406,7 +531,33 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void setInputValuesInQueryFilter(ReportInput reportInput, QQueryFilter queryFilter)
+   public static FieldAndJoinTable getFieldAndJoinTable(QTableMetaData mainTable, String fieldName) throws QException
+   {
+      if(fieldName.indexOf('.') > -1)
+      {
+         String joinTableName = fieldName.replaceAll("\\..*", "");
+         String joinFieldName = fieldName.replaceAll(".*\\.", "");
+
+         QTableMetaData joinTable = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(joinTableName);
+         if(joinTable == null)
+         {
+            throw (new QException("Unrecognized join table name: " + joinTableName));
+         }
+
+         return new FieldAndJoinTable(joinTable.getField(joinFieldName), joinTable);
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         return new FieldAndJoinTable(mainTable.getField(fieldName), mainTable);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void setInputValuesInQueryFilter(ReportInput reportInput, QQueryFilter queryFilter) throws QException
    {
       if(queryFilter == null || queryFilter.getCriteria() == null)
       {
@@ -495,26 +646,27 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void addRecordsToSummaryAggregates(QReportView view, QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, Map<String, Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>>>> aggregatesMap)
+   private void addRecordsToSummaryAggregates(QReportView view, QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, Map<String, Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>>>> aggregatesMap) throws QException
    {
-      Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>>> viewAggregates = aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(view.getName(), (name) -> new HashMap<>());
+      Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>>> viewAggregates = aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(view.getName(), (name) -> new HashMap<>());
 
       for(QRecord record : records)
       {
          SummaryKey key = new SummaryKey();
-         for(String summaryField : view.getPivotFields())
+         for(String summaryFieldName : view.getSummaryFields())
          {
-            Serializable summaryValue = record.getValue(summaryField);
-            if(table.getField(summaryField).getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
+            FieldAndJoinTable fieldAndJoinTable = getFieldAndJoinTable(table, summaryFieldName);
+            Serializable      summaryValue      = record.getValue(summaryFieldName);
+            if(fieldAndJoinTable.field().getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
             {
                //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                // so, this is kinda a thing - where we implicitly use possible-value labels (e.g., display values) for pivot fields... //
                //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               summaryValue = record.getDisplayValue(summaryField);
+               summaryValue = record.getDisplayValue(summaryFieldName);
             }
-            key.add(summaryField, summaryValue);
+            key.add(summaryFieldName, summaryValue);
 
-            if(view.getIncludePivotSubTotals() && key.getKeys().size() < view.getPivotFields().size())
+            if(view.getIncludeSummarySubTotals() && key.getKeys().size() < view.getSummaryFields().size())
             {
                /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                // be careful here, with these key objects, and their identity, being used as map keys //
@@ -533,9 +685,9 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void addRecordToSummaryKeyAggregates(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record, Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>>> viewAggregates, SummaryKey key)
+   private void addRecordToSummaryKeyAggregates(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record, Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>>> viewAggregates, SummaryKey key) throws QException
    {
-      Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>> keyAggregates = viewAggregates.computeIfAbsent(key, (name) -> new HashMap<>());
+      Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>> keyAggregates = viewAggregates.computeIfAbsent(key, (name) -> new HashMap<>());
       addRecordToAggregatesMap(table, record, keyAggregates);
    }
 
@@ -544,29 +696,74 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void addRecordToAggregatesMap(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>> aggregatesMap)
+   private void addRecordToAggregatesMap(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>> aggregatesMap) throws QException
    {
-      for(QFieldMetaData field : table.getFields().values())
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // todo - an optimization could be, to only compute aggregates that we'll need...   //
+      // Only if we measure and see this to be slow - it may be, lots of BigDecimal math? //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      for(String fieldName : record.getValues().keySet())
       {
-         if(field.getType().equals(QFieldType.INTEGER))
+         QFieldMetaData field = null;
+         try
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // todo - memoize this, if we ever need to optimize //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            FieldAndJoinTable fieldAndJoinTable = getFieldAndJoinTable(table, fieldName);
+            field = fieldAndJoinTable.field();
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // for non-real-fields... let's skip for now - but maybe treat as string in future? //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            LOG.debug("Couldn't find field in table qInstance - won't compute aggregates for it", logPair("fieldName", fieldName));
+            continue;
+         }
+
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(field.getPossibleValueSourceName()))
          {
             @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-            AggregatesInterface<Integer> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<Integer>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(field.getName(), (name) -> new IntegerAggregates());
-            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueInteger(field.getName()));
+            AggregatesInterface<String, ?> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<String, ?>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(fieldName, (name) -> new StringAggregates());
+            fieldAggregates.add(record.getDisplayValue(fieldName));
+         }
+         else if(field.getType().equals(QFieldType.INTEGER))
+         {
+            @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+            AggregatesInterface<Integer, ?> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<Integer, ?>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(fieldName, (name) -> new IntegerAggregates());
+            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueInteger(fieldName));
          }
          else if(field.getType().equals(QFieldType.LONG))
          {
             @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-            AggregatesInterface<Long> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<Long>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(field.getName(), (name) -> new LongAggregates());
-            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueLong(field.getName()));
+            AggregatesInterface<Long, ?> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<Long, ?>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(fieldName, (name) -> new LongAggregates());
+            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueLong(fieldName));
          }
          else if(field.getType().equals(QFieldType.DECIMAL))
          {
             @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-            AggregatesInterface<BigDecimal> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<BigDecimal>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(field.getName(), (name) -> new BigDecimalAggregates());
-            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueBigDecimal(field.getName()));
+            AggregatesInterface<BigDecimal, ?> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<BigDecimal, ?>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(fieldName, (name) -> new BigDecimalAggregates());
+            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueBigDecimal(fieldName));
+         }
+         else if(field.getType().equals(QFieldType.DATE_TIME))
+         {
+            @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+            AggregatesInterface<Instant, ?> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<Instant, ?>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(fieldName, (name) -> new InstantAggregates());
+            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueInstant(fieldName));
+         }
+         else if(field.getType().equals(QFieldType.DATE))
+         {
+            @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+            AggregatesInterface<LocalDate, ?> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<LocalDate, ?>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(fieldName, (name) -> new LocalDateAggregates());
+            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueLocalDate(fieldName));
+         }
+         if(field.getType().isStringLike())
+         {
+            @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+            AggregatesInterface<String, ?> fieldAggregates = (AggregatesInterface<String, ?>) aggregatesMap.computeIfAbsent(fieldName, (name) -> new StringAggregates());
+            fieldAggregates.add(record.getValueString(fieldName));
          }
-         // todo - more types (dates, at least?)
       }
    }
 
@@ -575,24 +772,22 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void outputSummaries(ReportInput reportInput) throws QReportingException, QFormulaException
+   private void outputSummaries(ReportInput reportInput) throws QException
    {
-      List<QReportView> reportViews = report.getViews().stream().filter(v -> v.getType().equals(ReportType.SUMMARY)).toList();
+      List<QReportView> reportViews = views.stream().filter(v -> v.getType().equals(ReportType.SUMMARY)).toList();
       for(QReportView view : reportViews)
       {
-         QReportDataSource dataSource    = report.getDataSource(view.getDataSourceName());
+         QReportDataSource dataSource    = getDataSource(view.getDataSourceName());
          QTableMetaData    table         = reportInput.getInstance().getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable());
          SummaryOutput     summaryOutput = computeSummaryRowsForView(reportInput, view, table);
 
          ExportInput exportInput = new ExportInput();
-         exportInput.setReportFormat(reportFormat);
-         exportInput.setFilename(reportInput.getFilename());
+         exportInput.setReportDestination(reportInput.getReportDestination());
          exportInput.setTitleRow(summaryOutput.titleRow);
          exportInput.setIncludeHeaderRow(view.getIncludeHeaderRow());
-         exportInput.setReportOutputStream(reportInput.getReportOutputStream());
 
          reportStreamer.setDisplayFormats(getDisplayFormatMap(view));
-         reportStreamer.start(exportInput, getFields(table, view), view.getLabel());
+         reportStreamer.start(exportInput, getFields(table, view), view.getLabel(), view);
 
          reportStreamer.addRecords(summaryOutput.summaryRows); // todo - what if this set is huge?
 
@@ -605,6 +800,24 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private QReportDataSource getDataSource(String dataSourceName)
+   {
+      for(QReportDataSource dataSource : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(dataSources))
+      {
+         if(dataSource.getName().equals(dataSourceName))
+         {
+            return (dataSource);
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (null);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -632,13 +845,13 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private List<QFieldMetaData> getFields(QTableMetaData table, QReportView view)
+   private List<QFieldMetaData> getFields(QTableMetaData table, QReportView view) throws QException
    {
       List<QFieldMetaData> fields = new ArrayList<>();
-      for(String pivotField : view.getPivotFields())
+      for(String summaryFieldName : view.getSummaryFields())
       {
-         QFieldMetaData field = table.getField(pivotField);
-         fields.add(new QFieldMetaData(pivotField, field.getType()).withLabel(field.getLabel())); // todo do we need the type?  if so need table as input here
+         FieldAndJoinTable fieldAndJoinTable = getFieldAndJoinTable(table, summaryFieldName);
+         fields.add(new QFieldMetaData(summaryFieldName, fieldAndJoinTable.field().getType()).withLabel(fieldAndJoinTable.field().getLabel())); // todo do we need the type?  if so need table as input here
       }
       for(QReportField column : view.getColumns())
       {
@@ -668,11 +881,11 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       // create summary rows //
       /////////////////////////
       List<QRecord> summaryRows = new ArrayList<>();
-      for(Map.Entry<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>>> entry : summaryAggregates.getOrDefault(view.getName(), Collections.emptyMap()).entrySet())
+      for(Map.Entry<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>>> entry : summaryAggregates.getOrDefault(view.getName(), Collections.emptyMap()).entrySet())
       {
-         SummaryKey                          summaryKey      = entry.getKey();
-         Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>> fieldAggregates = entry.getValue();
-         Map<String, Serializable>           summaryValues   = getSummaryValuesForInterpreter(fieldAggregates);
+         SummaryKey                             summaryKey      = entry.getKey();
+         Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>> fieldAggregates = entry.getValue();
+         Map<String, Serializable>              summaryValues   = getSummaryValuesForInterpreter(fieldAggregates);
          variableInterpreter.addValueMap("pivot", summaryValues);
          variableInterpreter.addValueMap("summary", summaryValues);
 
@@ -681,9 +894,9 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
 
          if(!varianceAggregates.isEmpty())
          {
-            Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>>> varianceMap    = varianceAggregates.getOrDefault(view.getName(), Collections.emptyMap());
-            Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>>                  varianceSubMap = varianceMap.getOrDefault(summaryKey, Collections.emptyMap());
-            Map<String, Serializable>                            varianceValues = getSummaryValuesForInterpreter(varianceSubMap);
+            Map<SummaryKey, Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>>> varianceMap    = varianceAggregates.getOrDefault(view.getName(), Collections.emptyMap());
+            Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>>                  varianceSubMap = varianceMap.getOrDefault(summaryKey, Collections.emptyMap());
+            Map<String, Serializable>                               varianceValues = getSummaryValuesForInterpreter(varianceSubMap);
             variableInterpreter.addValueMap("variancePivot", varianceValues);
             variableInterpreter.addValueMap("variance", varianceValues);
          }
@@ -702,7 +915,7 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
          ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // for summary subtotals, add the text "Total" to the last field in this key //
          ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         if(summaryKey.getKeys().size() < view.getPivotFields().size())
+         if(summaryKey.getKeys().size() < view.getSummaryFields().size())
          {
             String fieldName = summaryKey.getKeys().get(summaryKey.getKeys().size() - 1).getA();
             summaryRow.setValue(fieldName, summaryRow.getValueString(fieldName) + " Total");
@@ -740,11 +953,11 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       {
          totalRow = new QRecord();
 
-         for(String pivotField : view.getPivotFields())
+         for(String summaryField : view.getSummaryFields())
          {
             if(totalRow.getValues().isEmpty())
             {
-               totalRow.setValue(pivotField, "Totals");
+               totalRow.setValue(summaryField, "Totals");
             }
          }
 
@@ -864,18 +1077,24 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private Map<String, Serializable> getSummaryValuesForInterpreter(Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?>> fieldAggregates)
+   private Map<String, Serializable> getSummaryValuesForInterpreter(Map<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>> fieldAggregates)
    {
       Map<String, Serializable> summaryValuesForInterpreter = new HashMap<>();
-      for(Map.Entry<String, AggregatesInterface<?>> subEntry : fieldAggregates.entrySet())
+      for(Map.Entry<String, AggregatesInterface<?, ?>> subEntry : fieldAggregates.entrySet())
       {
-         String                 fieldName  = subEntry.getKey();
-         AggregatesInterface<?> aggregates = subEntry.getValue();
+         String                    fieldName  = subEntry.getKey();
+         AggregatesInterface<?, ?> aggregates = subEntry.getValue();
          summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("sum." + fieldName, aggregates.getSum());
          summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("count." + fieldName, aggregates.getCount());
+         summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("count_nums." + fieldName, aggregates.getCount());
          summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("min." + fieldName, aggregates.getMin());
          summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("max." + fieldName, aggregates.getMax());
          summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("average." + fieldName, aggregates.getAverage());
+         summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("product." + fieldName, aggregates.getProduct());
+         summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("var." + fieldName, aggregates.getVariance());
+         summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("varp." + fieldName, aggregates.getVarP());
+         summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("std_dev." + fieldName, aggregates.getStandardDeviation());
+         summaryValuesForInterpreter.put("std_devp." + fieldName, aggregates.getStdDevP());
       }
       return summaryValuesForInterpreter;
    }
@@ -889,4 +1108,27 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    {
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public record FieldAndJoinTable(QFieldMetaData field, QTableMetaData joinTable)
+   {
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public String getLabel(QTableMetaData mainTable)
+      {
+         if(mainTable.getName().equals(joinTable.getName()))
+         {
+            return (field.getLabel());
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            return (joinTable.getLabel() + ": " + field.getLabel());
+         }
+      }
+   }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/JsonExportStreamer.java

@@ -26,17 +26,23 @@ import java.io.IOException;
 import java.io.OutputStream;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets;
+import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.regex.Matcher;
+import java.util.regex.Pattern;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportDestination;
 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.reporting.QReportView;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.JsonUtils;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.memoization.Memoization;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -46,13 +52,23 @@ public class JsonExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
 {
    private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(JsonExportStreamer.class);
 
+   private boolean prettyPrint = true;
+
    private ExportInput          exportInput;
    private QTableMetaData       table;
    private List<QFieldMetaData> fields;
    private OutputStream         outputStream;
 
-   private boolean needComma   = false;
-   private boolean prettyPrint = true;
+   private boolean multipleViews       = false;
+   private boolean haveStartedAnyViews = false;
+
+   private boolean needCommaBeforeRecord = false;
+
+   private byte[] indent       = new byte[0];
+   private String indentString = "";
+
+   private Pattern                     colonLetterPattern    = Pattern.compile(":([A-Z]+)($|[A-Z][a-z])");
+   private Memoization<String, String> fieldLabelMemoization = new Memoization<>();
 
 
 
@@ -69,21 +85,124 @@ public class JsonExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    @Override
-   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label) throws QReportingException
+   public void preRun(ReportDestination reportDestination, List<QReportView> views) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      outputStream = reportDestination.getReportOutputStream();
+
+      if(views.size() > 1)
+      {
+         multipleViews = true;
+      }
+
+      if(multipleViews)
+      {
+         try
+         {
+            indentIfPretty(outputStream);
+            outputStream.write('[');
+            newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+            increaseIndent();
+         }
+         catch(IOException e)
+         {
+            throw (new QReportingException("Error starting report output", e));
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label, QReportView view) throws QReportingException
    {
       this.exportInput = exportInput;
       this.fields = fields;
       table = exportInput.getTable();
-      outputStream = this.exportInput.getReportOutputStream();
+
+      needCommaBeforeRecord = false;
 
       try
       {
+         if(multipleViews)
+         {
+            if(haveStartedAnyViews)
+            {
+               /////////////////////////
+               // close the last view //
+               /////////////////////////
+               newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+
+               decreaseIndent();
+               indentIfPretty(outputStream);
+               outputStream.write(']');
+               newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+
+               decreaseIndent();
+               indentIfPretty(outputStream);
+               outputStream.write('}');
+               outputStream.write(',');
+               newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+            }
+
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // open a new view, as an object, with a name & data entry //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            indentIfPretty(outputStream);
+            outputStream.write('{');
+            newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+            increaseIndent();
+
+            indentIfPretty(outputStream);
+            outputStream.write(String.format("""
+               "name":"%s",""", label).getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8));
+            newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+
+            indentIfPretty(outputStream);
+            outputStream.write("""
+               "data":""".getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8));
+            newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+         }
+
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // start the array of entries for this view //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////
+         indentIfPretty(outputStream);
          outputStream.write('[');
+         increaseIndent();
       }
       catch(IOException e)
       {
          throw (new QReportingException("Error starting report output", e));
       }
+
+      haveStartedAnyViews = true;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void increaseIndent()
+   {
+      indent = new byte[indent.length + 3];
+      Arrays.fill(indent, (byte) ' ');
+      indentString = new String(indent);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void decreaseIndent()
+   {
+      indent = new byte[Math.max(0, indent.length - 3)];
+      Arrays.fill(indent, (byte) ' ');
+      indentString = new String(indent);
    }
 
 
@@ -111,7 +230,7 @@ public class JsonExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
    {
       try
       {
-         if(needComma)
+         if(needCommaBeforeRecord)
          {
             outputStream.write(',');
          }
@@ -119,21 +238,25 @@ public class JsonExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
          Map<String, Serializable> mapForJson = new LinkedHashMap<>();
          for(QFieldMetaData field : fields)
          {
-            String labelForJson = StringUtils.lcFirst(field.getLabel().replace(" ", ""));
-            mapForJson.put(labelForJson, qRecord.getValue(field.getName()));
+            mapForJson.put(getLabelForJson(field), qRecord.getValue(field.getName()));
          }
 
          String json = prettyPrint ? JsonUtils.toPrettyJson(mapForJson) : JsonUtils.toJson(mapForJson);
+         if(prettyPrint)
+         {
+            json = json.replaceAll("(?s)\n", "\n" + indentString);
+         }
 
          if(prettyPrint)
          {
             outputStream.write('\n');
          }
 
+         indentIfPretty(outputStream);
          outputStream.write(json.getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8));
 
          outputStream.flush(); // todo - less often?
-         needComma = true;
+         needCommaBeforeRecord = true;
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
@@ -143,6 +266,73 @@ public class JsonExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   String getLabelForJson(QFieldMetaData field)
+   {
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // memoize, to avoid running these regex/replacements millions of times //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      Optional<String> result = fieldLabelMemoization.getResult(field.getName(), fieldName ->
+      {
+         String labelForJson = field.getLabel().replace(" ", "");
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // now fix up any field-name-parts after the table: portion of a join name //
+         // lineItem:SKU to become lineItem:sku                                     //
+         // parcel:SLAStatus to become parcel:slaStatus                             //
+         // order:Client to become order:client                                     //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         Matcher allCaps                          = Pattern.compile("^[A-Z]+$").matcher(labelForJson);
+         Matcher startsAllCapsThenNextWordMatcher = Pattern.compile("([A-Z]+)([A-Z][a-z].*)").matcher(labelForJson);
+         Matcher startsOneCapMatcher              = Pattern.compile("([A-Z])(.*)").matcher(labelForJson);
+
+         if(allCaps.matches())
+         {
+            labelForJson = allCaps.replaceAll(m -> m.group().toLowerCase());
+         }
+         else if(startsAllCapsThenNextWordMatcher.matches())
+         {
+            labelForJson = startsAllCapsThenNextWordMatcher.replaceAll(m -> m.group(1).toLowerCase() + m.group(2));
+         }
+         else if(startsOneCapMatcher.matches())
+         {
+            labelForJson = startsOneCapMatcher.replaceAll(m -> m.group(1).toLowerCase() + m.group(2));
+         }
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // now fix up any field-name-parts after the table: portion of a join name //
+         // lineItem:SKU to become lineItem:sku                                     //
+         // parcel:SLAStatus to become parcel:slaStatus                             //
+         // order:Client to become order:client                                     //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         Matcher colonThenAllCapsThenEndMatcher      = Pattern.compile("(.*:)([A-Z]+)$").matcher(labelForJson);
+         Matcher colonThenAllCapsThenNextWordMatcher = Pattern.compile("(.*:)([A-Z]+)([A-Z][a-z].*)").matcher(labelForJson);
+         Matcher colonThenOneCapMatcher              = Pattern.compile("(.*:)([A-Z])(.*)").matcher(labelForJson);
+
+         if(colonThenAllCapsThenEndMatcher.matches())
+         {
+            labelForJson = colonThenAllCapsThenEndMatcher.replaceAll(m -> m.group(1) + m.group(2).toLowerCase());
+         }
+         else if(colonThenAllCapsThenNextWordMatcher.matches())
+         {
+            labelForJson = colonThenAllCapsThenNextWordMatcher.replaceAll(m -> m.group(1) + m.group(2).toLowerCase() + m.group(3));
+         }
+         else if(colonThenOneCapMatcher.matches())
+         {
+            labelForJson = colonThenOneCapMatcher.replaceAll(m -> m.group(1) + m.group(2).toLowerCase() + m.group(3));
+         }
+
+         System.out.println("Label: " + labelForJson);
+         return (labelForJson);
+      });
+
+      return result.orElse(field.getName());
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -162,11 +352,34 @@ public class JsonExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
    {
       try
       {
-         if(prettyPrint)
-         {
-            outputStream.write('\n');
-         }
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // close the array of entries for this view //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////
+         newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+
+         decreaseIndent();
+         indentIfPretty(outputStream);
          outputStream.write(']');
+         newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+
+         if(multipleViews)
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // close this view, if there are multiple //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////
+            decreaseIndent();
+            indentIfPretty(outputStream);
+            outputStream.write('}');
+            newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+
+            /////////////////////////////
+            // close the list of views //
+            /////////////////////////////
+            decreaseIndent();
+            indentIfPretty(outputStream);
+            outputStream.write(']');
+            newlineIfPretty(outputStream);
+         }
       }
       catch(IOException e)
       {
@@ -174,4 +387,30 @@ public class JsonExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
       }
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void newlineIfPretty(OutputStream outputStream) throws IOException
+   {
+      if(prettyPrint)
+      {
+         outputStream.write('\n');
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void indentIfPretty(OutputStream outputStream) throws IOException
+   {
+      if(prettyPrint)
+      {
+         outputStream.write(indent);
+      }
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/ListOfMapsExportStreamer.java

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 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.reporting.QReportView;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ public class ListOfMapsExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    @Override
-   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label) throws QReportingException
+   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label, QReportView view) throws QReportingException
    {
       this.exportInput = exportInput;
       this.fields = fields;

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/RecordPipe.java

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.concurrent.ArrayBlockingQueue;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
@@ -43,8 +44,9 @@ public class RecordPipe
 
    private static final long BLOCKING_SLEEP_MILLIS = 100;
    private static final long MAX_SLEEP_LOOP_MILLIS = 300_000; // 5 minutes
+   private static final int  DEFAULT_CAPACITY      = 1_000;
 
-   private int capacity = 1_000;
+   private int capacity = DEFAULT_CAPACITY;
    private ArrayBlockingQueue<QRecord> queue = new ArrayBlockingQueue<>(capacity);
 
    private boolean isTerminated = false;
@@ -70,11 +72,13 @@ public class RecordPipe
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Construct a record pipe, with an alternative capacity for the internal queue.
+    **
+    ** overrideCapacity is allowed to be null - in which case, DEFAULT_CAPACITY is used.
     *******************************************************************************/
    public RecordPipe(Integer overrideCapacity)
    {
-      this.capacity = overrideCapacity;
-      queue = new ArrayBlockingQueue<>(overrideCapacity);
+      this.capacity = Objects.requireNonNullElse(overrideCapacity, DEFAULT_CAPACITY);
+      queue = new ArrayBlockingQueue<>(this.capacity);
    }
 
 
@@ -138,7 +142,7 @@ public class RecordPipe
          {
             if(now - sleepLoopStartTime > MAX_SLEEP_LOOP_MILLIS)
             {
-               LOG.warn("Giving up adding record to pipe, due to pipe being full for more than {} millis", MAX_SLEEP_LOOP_MILLIS);
+               LOG.warn("Giving up adding record to pipe, due to pipe being full for more than " + MAX_SLEEP_LOOP_MILLIS + " millis");
                throw (new IllegalStateException("Giving up adding record to pipe, due to pipe staying full too long."));
             }
             LOG.trace("Record pipe.add failed (due to full pipe).  Blocking.");

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/ReportUtils.java

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.reporting;
+
+
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportView;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class ReportUtils
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QReportView getSourceViewForPivotTableView(List<QReportView> views, QReportView pivotTableView) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      Optional<QReportView> sourceView = views.stream().filter(v -> v.getName().equals(pivotTableView.getPivotTableSourceViewName())).findFirst();
+      if(sourceView.isEmpty())
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Could not find data view [" + pivotTableView.getPivotTableSourceViewName() + "] for pivot table view [" + pivotTableView.getName() + "]"));
+      }
+
+      return sourceView.get();
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/fastexcel/BoldHeaderAndFooterFastExcelStyler.java

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /*
  * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
- * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  Kingsrook, LLC
  * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
  * contact@kingsrook.com
  * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
  * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excelformatting;
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excel.fastexcel;
 
 
 import org.dhatim.fastexcel.BorderSide;
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ import org.dhatim.fastexcel.StyleSetter;
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Version of excel styler that does bold headers and footers, with basic borders.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class BoldHeaderAndFooterExcelStyler implements ExcelStylerInterface
+public class BoldHeaderAndFooterFastExcelStyler implements FastExcelStylerInterface
 {
 
    /*******************************************************************************
@@ -60,6 +60,9 @@ public class BoldHeaderAndFooterExcelStyler implements ExcelStylerInterface
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
    @Override
    public void styleTotalsRow(StyleSetter totalsRowStyle)
    {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/fastexcel/ExcelFastexcelExportStreamer.java

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /*
  * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
- * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  Kingsrook, LLC
  * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
  * contact@kingsrook.com
  * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
  * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting;
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excel.fastexcel;
 
 
 import java.io.OutputStream;
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Objects;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excelformatting.ExcelStylerInterface;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excelformatting.PlainExcelStyler;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.ExportStreamerInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
@@ -43,7 +43,9 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 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.reporting.QReportView;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ObjectUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 import org.dhatim.fastexcel.StyleSetter;
@@ -52,19 +54,19 @@ import org.dhatim.fastexcel.Worksheet;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
- ** Excel export format implementation
+ ** Excel export format implementation - built using fastexcel library
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
+public class ExcelFastexcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
 {
-   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(ExcelExportStreamer.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(ExcelFastexcelExportStreamer.class);
 
    private ExportInput          exportInput;
    private QTableMetaData       table;
    private List<QFieldMetaData> fields;
    private OutputStream         outputStream;
 
-   private ExcelStylerInterface excelStylerInterface = new PlainExcelStyler();
-   private Map<String, String>  excelCellFormats;
+   private FastExcelStylerInterface fastExcelStylerInterface = new PlainFastExcelStyler();
+   private Map<String, String>      excelCellFormats;
 
    private Workbook  workbook;
    private Worksheet worksheet;
@@ -76,7 +78,7 @@ public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public ExcelExportStreamer()
+   public ExcelFastexcelExportStreamer()
    {
    }
 
@@ -105,14 +107,14 @@ public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
     ** Starts a new worksheet in the current workbook.  Can be called multiple times.
     *******************************************************************************/
    @Override
-   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label) throws QReportingException
+   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label, QReportView view) throws QReportingException
    {
       try
       {
          this.exportInput = exportInput;
          this.fields = fields;
          table = exportInput.getTable();
-         outputStream = this.exportInput.getReportOutputStream();
+         outputStream = this.exportInput.getReportDestination().getReportOutputStream();
          this.row = 0;
          this.sheetCount++;
 
@@ -121,7 +123,7 @@ public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          if(workbook == null)
          {
-            String    appName  = "QQQ";
+            String    appName = ObjectUtils.tryAndRequireNonNullElse(() -> QContext.getQInstance().getBranding().getAppName(), "QQQ");
             QInstance instance = exportInput.getInstance();
             if(instance != null && instance.getBranding() != null && instance.getBranding().getCompanyName() != null)
             {
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
             worksheet.range(row, 0, row, fields.size() - 1).merge();
 
             StyleSetter titleStyle = worksheet.range(row, 0, row, fields.size() - 1).style();
-            excelStylerInterface.styleTitleRow(titleStyle);
+            fastExcelStylerInterface.styleTitleRow(titleStyle);
             titleStyle.set();
 
             row++;
@@ -187,7 +189,7 @@ public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
             }
 
             StyleSetter headerStyle = worksheet.range(row, 0, row, fields.size() - 1).style();
-            excelStylerInterface.styleHeaderRow(headerStyle);
+            fastExcelStylerInterface.styleHeaderRow(headerStyle);
             headerStyle.set();
 
             row++;
@@ -315,7 +317,7 @@ public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
       writeRecord(record);
 
       StyleSetter totalsRowStyle = worksheet.range(row, 0, row, fields.size() - 1).style();
-      excelStylerInterface.styleTotalsRow(totalsRowStyle);
+      fastExcelStylerInterface.styleTotalsRow(totalsRowStyle);
       totalsRowStyle.set();
    }
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/fastexcel/FastExcelStylerInterface.java

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /*
  * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
- * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  Kingsrook, LLC
  * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
  * contact@kingsrook.com
  * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
  * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excelformatting;
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excel.fastexcel;
 
 
 import org.dhatim.fastexcel.StyleSetter;
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import org.dhatim.fastexcel.StyleSetter;
  ** Interface for classes that know how to apply styles to an Excel stream being
  ** built by fastexcel.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public interface ExcelStylerInterface
+public interface FastExcelStylerInterface
 {
 
    /*******************************************************************************

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/fastexcel/PlainFastExcelStyler.java

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.reporting.excel.fastexcel;
+
+
+import org.dhatim.fastexcel.StyleSetter;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Excel styler that does nothing - just takes defaults (which are all no-op) from the interface.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class PlainFastExcelStyler implements FastExcelStylerInterface
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** ... sorry, but adding this gives us test coverage on this class, even though
+    ** we're just deferring to super...
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void styleHeaderRow(StyleSetter headerRowStyle)
+   {
+      FastExcelStylerInterface.super.styleHeaderRow(headerRowStyle);
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/poi/BoldHeaderAndFooterPoiExcelStyler.java

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.reporting.excel.poi;
+
+
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.BorderStyle;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.CreationHelper;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.Font;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.HorizontalAlignment;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFCellStyle;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFWorkbook;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Version of POI excel styler that does bold headers and footers, with basic borders.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class BoldHeaderAndFooterPoiExcelStyler implements PoiExcelStylerInterface
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public XSSFCellStyle createStyleForTitle(XSSFWorkbook workbook, CreationHelper createHelper)
+   {
+      Font font = workbook.createFont();
+      font.setFontHeightInPoints((short) 14);
+      font.setBold(true);
+
+      XSSFCellStyle cellStyle = workbook.createCellStyle();
+      cellStyle.setFont(font);
+      cellStyle.setAlignment(HorizontalAlignment.CENTER);
+
+      return (cellStyle);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public XSSFCellStyle createStyleForHeader(XSSFWorkbook workbook, CreationHelper createHelper)
+   {
+      Font font = workbook.createFont();
+      font.setBold(true);
+
+      XSSFCellStyle cellStyle = workbook.createCellStyle();
+      cellStyle.setFont(font);
+      cellStyle.setBorderBottom(BorderStyle.THIN);
+
+      return (cellStyle);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public XSSFCellStyle createStyleForFooter(XSSFWorkbook workbook, CreationHelper createHelper)
+   {
+      Font font = workbook.createFont();
+      font.setBold(true);
+
+      XSSFCellStyle cellStyle = workbook.createCellStyle();
+      cellStyle.setFont(font);
+      cellStyle.setBorderTop(BorderStyle.THIN);
+      cellStyle.setBorderBottom(BorderStyle.DOUBLE);
+
+      return (cellStyle);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/poi/ExcelPoiBasedStreamingExportStreamer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,819 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.reporting.excel.poi;
+
+
+import java.io.ByteArrayInputStream;
+import java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream;
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.io.OutputStream;
+import java.io.OutputStreamWriter;
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.io.Writer;
+import java.time.Instant;
+import java.time.LocalDate;
+import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+import java.time.ZoneId;
+import java.time.ZonedDateTime;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Date;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.Iterator;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.zip.ZipEntry;
+import java.util.zip.ZipInputStream;
+import java.util.zip.ZipOutputStream;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.ExportStreamerInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.ReportUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QInstanceEnricher;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportDestination;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.pivottable.PivotTableGroupBy;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.pivottable.PivotTableValue;
+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.reporting.QReportField;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportView;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.ReportType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.SpreadsheetVersion;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.CreationHelper;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.DataConsolidateFunction;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.DateUtil;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.util.AreaReference;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.util.CellReference;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.util.WorkbookUtil;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFCell;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFCellStyle;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFPivotTable;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFRow;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFSheet;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFWorkbook;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Excel export format implementation using POI library, but with modifications
+ ** to actually stream output rather than use any temp files.
+ **
+ ** For a rough outline:
+ ** - create a basically empty Excel workbook using POI - empty meaning, without
+ ** data rows.
+ ** - have POI write that workbook out into a byte[] - which will be a zip full
+ ** of xml (e.g., xlsx).
+ ** - then open a new ZipOutputStream wrapper around the OutputStream we took in
+ ** as the report destination (e.g., streamed into storage or http output)
+ ** - Copy over all entries from the xlsx into our new zip-output-stream, other than
+ ** ones that are the actual sheets that we want to put data into.
+ ** - For the sheet entries, use the StreamedPoiSheetWriter class to write the
+ ** report's data directly out as Excel XML (not using POI).
+ ** - Pivot tables require a bit of an additional hack - to write a "pivot cache
+ ** definition", which, while we won't put all the data in it (because we'll tell
+ ** it refreshOnLoad="true"), we will at least need to know how many cols & rows
+ ** are in the data-sheet (which we wouldn't know until we streamed that sheet!)
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class ExcelPoiBasedStreamingExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(ExcelPoiBasedStreamingExportStreamer.class);
+
+   private List<QReportView>    views;
+   private ExportInput          exportInput;
+   private List<QFieldMetaData> fields;
+   private OutputStream         outputStream;
+   private ZipOutputStream      zipOutputStream;
+
+   public static final String EXCEL_DATE_FORMAT      = "yyyy-MM-dd";
+   public static final String EXCEL_DATE_TIME_FORMAT = "yyyy-MM-dd H:mm:ss";
+
+   private PoiExcelStylerInterface    poiExcelStylerInterface = getStylerInterface();
+   private Map<String, String>        excelCellFormats;
+   private Map<String, XSSFCellStyle> styles                  = new HashMap<>();
+
+   private int rowNo      = 0;
+   private int sheetIndex = 1;
+
+   private Map<String, String> pivotViewToCacheDefinitionReferenceMap = new HashMap<>();
+
+   private Writer              activeSheetWriter = null;
+   private StreamedSheetWriter sheetWriter       = null;
+
+   private QReportView                       currentView      = null;
+   private Map<String, List<QFieldMetaData>> fieldsPerView    = new HashMap<>();
+   private Map<String, Integer>              rowsPerView      = new HashMap<>();
+   private Map<String, String>               labelViewsByName = new HashMap<>();
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ExcelPoiBasedStreamingExportStreamer()
+   {
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void preRun(ReportDestination reportDestination, List<QReportView> views) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         this.outputStream = reportDestination.getReportOutputStream();
+         this.views = views;
+
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // create 'template' workbook through poi - with sheets corresponding to our //
+         // actual file this will be a zip file (stream), with entries for all of the //
+         // files in the final xlsx but without any data, so it'll be small           //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         XSSFWorkbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook();
+         createStyles(workbook);
+
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // for each of the sheets, create it in the workbook, and put a reference to it in the sheetMap //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         Map<String, XSSFSheet> sheetMapByExcelReference = new HashMap<>();
+         Map<String, XSSFSheet> sheetMapByViewName       = new HashMap<>();
+
+         int sheetCounter = 1;
+         for(QReportView view : views)
+         {
+            String label = Objects.requireNonNullElse(view.getLabel(), "Sheet " + sheetCounter);
+            label = WorkbookUtil.createSafeSheetName(label);
+
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // track the actually-used sheet labels (needed for referencing in pivot table generation) //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            labelViewsByName.put(view.getName(), label);
+
+            XSSFSheet sheet          = workbook.createSheet(label);
+            String    sheetReference = sheet.getPackagePart().getPartName().getName().substring(1);
+            sheetMapByExcelReference.put(sheetReference, sheet);
+            sheetMapByViewName.put(view.getName(), sheet);
+            sheetCounter++;
+         }
+
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if any views are pivot tables, create them now //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         List<String> pivotViewNames = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(QReportView view : views)
+         {
+            if(ReportType.PIVOT.equals(view.getType()))
+            {
+               pivotViewNames.add(view.getName());
+
+               XSSFSheet   pivotTableSheet = Objects.requireNonNull(sheetMapByViewName.get(view.getName()), "Could not get pivot table sheet view by name: " + view.getName());
+               XSSFSheet   dataSheet       = Objects.requireNonNull(sheetMapByViewName.get(view.getPivotTableSourceViewName()), "Could not get pivot table source sheet by view name: " + view.getPivotTableSourceViewName());
+               QReportView dataView        = ReportUtils.getSourceViewForPivotTableView(views, view);
+               createPivotTableTemplate(pivotTableSheet, view, dataSheet, dataView);
+            }
+         }
+         Iterator<String> pivotViewNameIterator = pivotViewNames.iterator();
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // write that template worksheet zip out to byte array //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         ByteArrayOutputStream templateBAOS = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
+         workbook.write(templateBAOS);
+         templateBAOS.close();
+         byte[] templateBytes = templateBAOS.toByteArray();
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // open up a zipOutputStream around the output stream that the report is to be written to. //
+         // note:  this stream is closed in the finish method - see more comments there.            //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         this.zipOutputStream = new ZipOutputStream(this.outputStream);
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // copy over all the entries in the template zip that aren't the sheets into the output stream //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         ZipInputStream zipInputStream   = new ZipInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(templateBytes));
+         ZipEntry       zipTemplateEntry = null;
+         byte[]         buffer           = new byte[2048];
+         while((zipTemplateEntry = zipInputStream.getNextEntry()) != null)
+         {
+            if(zipTemplateEntry.getName().matches(".*/pivotCacheDefinition.*.xml"))
+            {
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if this zip entry is a pivotCacheDefinition, then don't write it to the output stream right now. //
+               // instead, just map the pivot view's name to the zipTemplateEntry name                             //
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(!pivotViewNameIterator.hasNext())
+               {
+                  throw new QReportingException("Found a pivot cache definition [" + zipTemplateEntry.getName() + "] in the template ZIP, but no (more) corresponding pivot view names");
+               }
+
+               String pivotViewName = pivotViewNameIterator.next();
+               LOG.info("Holding on a pivot cache definition zip template entry [" + pivotViewName + "] [" + zipTemplateEntry.getName() + "]...");
+               pivotViewToCacheDefinitionReferenceMap.put(pivotViewName, zipTemplateEntry.getName());
+            }
+            else if(!sheetMapByExcelReference.containsKey(zipTemplateEntry.getName()))
+            {
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // else, if we don't have this zipTemplateEntry name in our map of sheets, then this is a kinda "meta"    //
+               // file that we don't really care about (e.g., not our sheet data), so just copy it to the output stream. //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               LOG.info("Copying zip template entry [" + zipTemplateEntry.getName() + "] to output stream");
+               zipOutputStream.putNextEntry(new ZipEntry(zipTemplateEntry.getName()));
+
+               int length;
+               while((length = zipInputStream.read(buffer)) > 0)
+               {
+                  zipOutputStream.write(buffer, 0, length);
+               }
+
+               zipInputStream.closeEntry();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // else - this is a sheet - so again, don't write it yet - stream its data below. //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               LOG.info("Skipping presumed sheet zip template entry [" + zipTemplateEntry.getName() + "] to output stream");
+            }
+         }
+
+         zipInputStream.close();
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error preparing to generate spreadsheet", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void createPivotTableTemplate(XSSFSheet pivotTableSheet, QReportView pivotView, XSSFSheet dataSheet, QReportView dataView) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // write just enough data to the dataView's sheet so that we can refer to it for creating the pivot table. //
+      // we need to do this, because POI will try to create the pivotCache referring to the data sheet, and if   //
+      // there isn't any data there, it'll crash.                                                                //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      XSSFRow headerRow = dataSheet.createRow(0);
+      int     columnNo  = 0;
+      for(QReportField column : dataView.getColumns())
+      {
+         XSSFCell cell = headerRow.createCell(columnNo++);
+         cell.setCellValue(QInstanceEnricher.nameToLabel(column.getName()));
+      }
+
+      XSSFRow valuesRow = dataSheet.createRow(1);
+      columnNo = 0;
+      for(QReportField column : dataView.getColumns())
+      {
+         XSSFCell cell = valuesRow.createCell(columnNo++);
+         cell.setCellValue("Value " + columnNo);
+      }
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // for this template version of the pivot table, tell it there are only 2 rows in the source sheet //
+      // as that's all that we wrote above (a header and 1 fake value row)                               //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      int           rows       = 2;
+      String        colsLetter = CellReference.convertNumToColString(dataView.getColumns().size() - 1);
+      AreaReference source     = new AreaReference("A1:" + colsLetter + rows, SpreadsheetVersion.EXCEL2007);
+      CellReference position   = new CellReference("A1");
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // tell poi all about our pivot table - rows, cols, and columns //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      XSSFPivotTable pivotTable = pivotTableSheet.createPivotTable(source, position, dataSheet);
+
+      for(PivotTableGroupBy row : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(pivotView.getPivotTableDefinition().getRows()))
+      {
+         int rowLabelColumnIndex = getColumnIndex(dataView.getColumns(), row.getFieldName());
+         pivotTable.addRowLabel(rowLabelColumnIndex);
+      }
+
+      for(PivotTableGroupBy column : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(pivotView.getPivotTableDefinition().getColumns()))
+      {
+         int colLabelColumnIndex = getColumnIndex(dataView.getColumns(), column.getFieldName());
+         pivotTable.addColLabel(colLabelColumnIndex);
+      }
+
+      for(PivotTableValue value : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(pivotView.getPivotTableDefinition().getValues()))
+      {
+         int columnLabelColumnIndex = getColumnIndex(dataView.getColumns(), value.getFieldName());
+
+         String labelPrefix = value.getFunction().name() + " of ";
+         String label       = labelPrefix + QInstanceEnricher.nameToLabel(value.getFieldName());
+         String valueFormat = null;
+
+         Optional<QReportField> optSourceField = dataView.getColumns().stream().filter(c -> c.getName().equals(value.getFieldName())).findFirst();
+         if(optSourceField.isPresent())
+         {
+            QReportField sourceField = optSourceField.get();
+
+            if(StringUtils.hasContent(sourceField.getLabel()))
+            {
+               label = labelPrefix + sourceField.getLabel();
+            }
+
+            if(StringUtils.hasContent(sourceField.getDisplayFormat()))
+            {
+               valueFormat = DisplayFormat.getExcelFormat(sourceField.getDisplayFormat());
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               if(QFieldType.DATE.equals(sourceField.getType()))
+               {
+                  valueFormat = EXCEL_DATE_FORMAT;
+               }
+               else if(QFieldType.DATE_TIME.equals(sourceField.getType()))
+               {
+                  valueFormat = EXCEL_DATE_TIME_FORMAT;
+               }
+            }
+         }
+
+         pivotTable.addColumnLabel(DataConsolidateFunction.valueOf(value.getFunction().name()), columnLabelColumnIndex, label, valueFormat);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private int getColumnIndex(List<QReportField> columns, String fieldName) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      for(int i = 0; i < columns.size(); i++)
+      {
+         if(columns.get(i).getName().equals(fieldName))
+         {
+            return (i);
+         }
+      }
+
+      throw (new QReportingException("Could not find column by name [" + fieldName + "]"));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void createStyles(XSSFWorkbook workbook)
+   {
+      CreationHelper createHelper = workbook.getCreationHelper();
+
+      XSSFCellStyle dateStyle = workbook.createCellStyle();
+      dateStyle.setDataFormat(createHelper.createDataFormat().getFormat(EXCEL_DATE_FORMAT));
+      styles.put("date", dateStyle);
+
+      XSSFCellStyle dateTimeStyle = workbook.createCellStyle();
+      dateTimeStyle.setDataFormat(createHelper.createDataFormat().getFormat(EXCEL_DATE_TIME_FORMAT));
+      styles.put("datetime", dateTimeStyle);
+
+      styles.put("title", poiExcelStylerInterface.createStyleForTitle(workbook, createHelper));
+      styles.put("header", poiExcelStylerInterface.createStyleForHeader(workbook, createHelper));
+      styles.put("footer", poiExcelStylerInterface.createStyleForFooter(workbook, createHelper));
+
+      XSSFCellStyle footerDateStyle = poiExcelStylerInterface.createStyleForFooter(workbook, createHelper);
+      footerDateStyle.setDataFormat(createHelper.createDataFormat().getFormat(EXCEL_DATE_FORMAT));
+      styles.put("footer-date", footerDateStyle);
+
+      XSSFCellStyle footerDateTimeStyle = poiExcelStylerInterface.createStyleForFooter(workbook, createHelper);
+      footerDateTimeStyle.setDataFormat(createHelper.createDataFormat().getFormat(EXCEL_DATE_TIME_FORMAT));
+      styles.put("footer-datetime", footerDateTimeStyle);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Starts a new worksheet in the current workbook.  Can be called multiple times.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label, QReportView view) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         /////////////////////////////////////////
+         // close previous sheet if one is open //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////
+         closeLastSheetIfOpen();
+
+         if(currentView != null)
+         {
+            this.rowsPerView.put(currentView.getName(), rowNo);
+         }
+
+         this.currentView = view;
+         this.exportInput = exportInput;
+         this.fields = fields;
+         this.rowNo = 0;
+
+         this.fieldsPerView.put(view.getName(), fields);
+
+         //////////////////////////////////////////
+         // start the new sheet as:              //
+         // - a new entry in the zipOutputStream //
+         // - with a new output stream writer    //
+         // - and with a SpreadsheetWriter       //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////
+         zipOutputStream.putNextEntry(new ZipEntry("xl/worksheets/sheet" + this.sheetIndex++ + ".xml"));
+         activeSheetWriter = new OutputStreamWriter(zipOutputStream);
+         sheetWriter = new StreamedSheetWriter(activeSheetWriter);
+
+         if(ReportType.PIVOT.equals(view.getType()))
+         {
+            writePivotTable(view, ReportUtils.getSourceViewForPivotTableView(views, view));
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            sheetWriter.beginSheet();
+
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // put the title and header rows in the sheet //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            writeTitleAndHeader();
+         }
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error starting worksheet", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void writeTitleAndHeader() throws QReportingException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         ///////////////
+         // title row //
+         ///////////////
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(exportInput.getTitleRow()))
+         {
+            sheetWriter.insertRow(rowNo++);
+            sheetWriter.createCell(0, exportInput.getTitleRow(), styles.get("title").getIndex());
+            sheetWriter.endRow();
+         }
+
+         ////////////////
+         // header row //
+         ////////////////
+         if(exportInput.getIncludeHeaderRow())
+         {
+            sheetWriter.insertRow(rowNo++);
+            XSSFCellStyle headerStyle = styles.get("header");
+
+            int col = 0;
+            for(QFieldMetaData column : fields)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, column.getLabel(), headerStyle.getIndex());
+               col++;
+            }
+
+            sheetWriter.endRow();
+         }
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error starting Excel report"));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void addRecords(List<QRecord> qRecords) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      LOG.info("Consuming [" + qRecords.size() + "] records from the pipe");
+
+      try
+      {
+         for(QRecord qRecord : qRecords)
+         {
+            writeRecord(qRecord);
+         }
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.error("Exception generating excel file", e);
+         try
+         {
+            outputStream.close();
+         }
+         catch(IOException ex)
+         {
+            LOG.warn("Secondary error closing excel output stream", e);
+         }
+
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error generating Excel report", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void writeRecord(QRecord qRecord) throws IOException
+   {
+      writeRecord(qRecord, false);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void writeRecord(QRecord qRecord, boolean isFooter) throws IOException
+   {
+      sheetWriter.insertRow(rowNo++);
+
+      int styleIndex         = -1;
+      int dateStyleIndex     = styles.get("date").getIndex();
+      int dateTimeStyleIndex = styles.get("datetime").getIndex();
+      if(isFooter)
+      {
+         styleIndex = styles.get("footer").getIndex();
+         dateStyleIndex = styles.get("footer-date").getIndex();
+         dateTimeStyleIndex = styles.get("footer-datetime").getIndex();
+      }
+
+      int col = 0;
+      for(QFieldMetaData field : fields)
+      {
+         Serializable value = qRecord.getValue(field.getName());
+
+         if(value != null)
+         {
+            if(value instanceof String s)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, s, styleIndex);
+            }
+            else if(value instanceof Number n)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, n.doubleValue(), styleIndex);
+
+               if(excelCellFormats != null)
+               {
+                  String format = excelCellFormats.get(field.getName());
+                  if(format != null)
+                  {
+                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     // todo - so - for this streamed/zip approach, we need to know all styles before we start //
+                     // any sheets.  but, right now Report action only calls us with per-sheet styles when     //
+                     // it's starting individual sheets.  so, we can't quite support this at this time.        //
+                     // "just" need to change GenerateReportAction to look up all cell formats for all sheets  //
+                     // before preRun is called... and change all existing streamer classes to handle that too //
+                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     // worksheet.style(rowNo, col).format(format).set();
+                  }
+               }
+            }
+            else if(value instanceof Boolean b)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, b, styleIndex);
+            }
+            else if(value instanceof Date d)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, DateUtil.getExcelDate(d), dateStyleIndex);
+            }
+            else if(value instanceof LocalDate d)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, DateUtil.getExcelDate(d), dateStyleIndex);
+            }
+            else if(value instanceof LocalDateTime d)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, DateUtil.getExcelDate(d), dateStyleIndex);
+            }
+            else if(value instanceof ZonedDateTime d)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, DateUtil.getExcelDate(d.toLocalDateTime()), dateTimeStyleIndex);
+            }
+            else if(value instanceof Instant i)
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, DateUtil.getExcelDate(i.atZone(ZoneId.systemDefault()).toLocalDateTime()), dateTimeStyleIndex);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               sheetWriter.createCell(col, ValueUtils.getValueAsString(value), styleIndex);
+            }
+         }
+
+         col++;
+      }
+
+      sheetWriter.endRow();
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void addTotalsRow(QRecord record) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         writeRecord(record, true);
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error adding totals row", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void finish() throws QReportingException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // close the last open sheet if one is open //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////
+         closeLastSheetIfOpen();
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // so, we DO need a close here, on the zipOutputStream, to finish its "zippiness". //
+         // even though, doing so also closes the outputStream from the caller that this    //
+         // zipOutputStream is wrapping (and the caller will likely call close on too)...   //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         zipOutputStream.close();
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error finishing Excel report", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void closeLastSheetIfOpen() throws IOException
+   {
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if we have an active sheet writer:                                                               //
+      // - end the current sheet in the spreadsheet writer (write some closing xml, unless it's a pivot!) //
+      // - flush the contents through the activeSheetWriter                                               //
+      // - close the zip entry in the output stream.                                                      //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(activeSheetWriter != null)
+      {
+         if(!ReportType.PIVOT.equals(currentView.getType()))
+         {
+            sheetWriter.endSheet();
+         }
+
+         activeSheetWriter.flush();
+         zipOutputStream.closeEntry();
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** display formats is a map of field name to Excel format strings (e.g., $#,##0.00)
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void setDisplayFormats(Map<String, String> displayFormats)
+   {
+      this.excelCellFormats = new HashMap<>();
+      for(Map.Entry<String, String> entry : displayFormats.entrySet())
+      {
+         String excelFormat = DisplayFormat.getExcelFormat(entry.getValue());
+         if(excelFormat != null)
+         {
+            excelCellFormats.put(entry.getKey(), excelFormat);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void writePivotTable(QReportView pivotTableView, QReportView dataView) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // write the xml file that is the pivot table sheet.                            //
+         // note that the ZipEntry here will have been started above in the start method //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         activeSheetWriter.write("""
+            <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
+              <worksheet xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/spreadsheetml/2006/main" xmlns:r="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships" xmlns:mx="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/mac/excel/2008/main" xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006" xmlns:mv="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:mac:vml" xmlns:x14="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/spreadsheetml/2009/9/main" xmlns:x15="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/spreadsheetml/2010/11/main" xmlns:x14ac="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/spreadsheetml/2009/9/ac" xmlns:xm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/excel/2006/main">
+                 <sheetPr>
+                   <outlinePr summaryBelow="0" summaryRight="0"/>
+                 </sheetPr>
+                 <sheetViews>
+                   <sheetView workbookViewId="0"/>
+                 </sheetViews>
+                 <sheetFormatPr customHeight="1" defaultColWidth="14.43" defaultRowHeight="15.0"/>
+                 <sheetData>
+                   <row r="1"/>
+                 </sheetData>
+              </worksheet>
+            """);
+         activeSheetWriter.flush();
+
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // start a new zip entry, for this pivot view's cacheDefinition reference //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         zipOutputStream.putNextEntry(new ZipEntry(pivotViewToCacheDefinitionReferenceMap.get(pivotTableView.getName())));
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // prepare the xml for each field (e.g., w/ its label) //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         List<String> cachedFieldElements = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(QFieldMetaData column : this.fieldsPerView.get(dataView.getName()))
+         {
+            cachedFieldElements.add(String.format("""
+               <cacheField numFmtId="0" name="%s">
+                  <sharedItems/>
+               </cacheField>
+               """, column.getLabel()));
+         }
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // write the xml file that is the pivot cache definition (structure only, no data) //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         activeSheetWriter = new OutputStreamWriter(zipOutputStream);
+         activeSheetWriter.write(String.format("""
+               <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+               <pivotCacheDefinition xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/spreadsheetml/2006/main" xmlns:r="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships" createdVersion="3" minRefreshableVersion="3" refreshedVersion="3" refreshedBy="Apache POI" refreshedDate="1.711395767702E12" refreshOnLoad="true" r:id="rId1">
+                 <cacheSource type="worksheet">
+                   <worksheetSource sheet="%s" ref="A1:%s%d"/>
+                 </cacheSource>
+                 <cacheFields count="%d">
+                   %s
+                 </cacheFields>
+               </pivotCacheDefinition>
+               """,
+            StreamedSheetWriter.cleanseValue(labelViewsByName.get(dataView.getName())),
+            CellReference.convertNumToColString(dataView.getColumns().size() - 1),
+            rowsPerView.get(dataView.getName()),
+            dataView.getColumns().size(),
+            StringUtils.join("\n", cachedFieldElements)));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error writing pivot table", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   protected PoiExcelStylerInterface getStylerInterface()
+   {
+      return (new PlainPoiExcelStyler());
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/poi/PlainPoiExcelStyler.java

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.reporting.excel.poi;
+
+
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.CreationHelper;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFCellStyle;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFWorkbook;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Excel styler that does nothing - just takes defaults (which are all no-op) from the interface.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class PlainPoiExcelStyler implements PoiExcelStylerInterface
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** ... sorry, but adding this gives us test coverage on this class, even though
+    ** we're just deferring to super...
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public XSSFCellStyle createStyleForHeader(XSSFWorkbook workbook, CreationHelper createHelper)
+   {
+      return PoiExcelStylerInterface.super.createStyleForHeader(workbook, createHelper);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/poi/PoiExcelStylerInterface.java

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.reporting.excel.poi;
+
+
+import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.CreationHelper;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFCellStyle;
+import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFWorkbook;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Interface for classes that know how to apply styles to an Excel stream being
+ ** built by POI.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public interface PoiExcelStylerInterface
+{
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   default XSSFCellStyle createStyleForTitle(XSSFWorkbook workbook, CreationHelper createHelper)
+   {
+      return (workbook.createCellStyle());
+   }
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   default XSSFCellStyle createStyleForHeader(XSSFWorkbook workbook, CreationHelper createHelper)
+   {
+      return (workbook.createCellStyle());
+   }
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   default XSSFCellStyle createStyleForFooter(XSSFWorkbook workbook, CreationHelper createHelper)
+   {
+      return (workbook.createCellStyle());
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/excel/poi/StreamedSheetWriter.java

@@ -0,0 +1,242 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.reporting.excel.poi;
+
+
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.io.Writer;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.Map;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.util.CellReference;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Write excel formatted XML to a Writer.
+ ** Originally from https://coderanch.com/t/548897/java/Generate-large-excel-POI
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class StreamedSheetWriter
+{
+   private final Writer writer;
+   private       int    rowNo;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public StreamedSheetWriter(Writer writer)
+   {
+      this.writer = writer;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void beginSheet() throws IOException
+   {
+      writer.write("""
+         <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+            <worksheet xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/spreadsheetml/2006/main">
+               <sheetData>""");
+
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void endSheet() throws IOException
+   {
+      writer.write("""
+            </sheetData>
+         </worksheet>""");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Insert a new row
+    **
+    ** @param rowNo 0-based row number
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void insertRow(int rowNo) throws IOException
+   {
+      writer.write("<row r=\"" + (rowNo + 1) + "\">\n");
+      this.rowNo = rowNo;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Insert row end marker
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void endRow() throws IOException
+   {
+      writer.write("</row>\n");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void createCell(int columnIndex, String value, int styleIndex) throws IOException
+   {
+      String ref = new CellReference(rowNo, columnIndex).formatAsString();
+      writer.write("<c r=\"" + ref + "\" t=\"inlineStr\"");
+      if(styleIndex != -1)
+      {
+         writer.write(" s=\"" + styleIndex + "\"");
+      }
+
+      String cleanValue = cleanseValue(value);
+
+      writer.write(">");
+      writer.write("<is><t>" + cleanValue + "</t></is>");
+      writer.write("</c>");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String cleanseValue(String value)
+   {
+      if(value != null)
+      {
+         StringBuilder rs = new StringBuilder();
+         for(int i = 0; i < value.length(); i++)
+         {
+            char c = value.charAt(i);
+            if(c == '&')
+            {
+               rs.append("&amp;");
+            }
+            else if(c == '<')
+            {
+               rs.append("&lt;");
+            }
+            else if(c == '>')
+            {
+               rs.append("&gt;");
+            }
+            else if(c == '\'')
+            {
+               rs.append("&apos;");
+            }
+            else if(c == '"')
+            {
+               rs.append("&quot;");
+            }
+            else if (c < 32 && c != '\t' && c != '\n')
+            {
+               rs.append(' ');
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               rs.append(c);
+            }
+         }
+
+         Map<String, Integer> m = new HashMap();
+         m.computeIfAbsent("s", (s) -> 3);
+
+         value = rs.toString();
+      }
+
+      return (value);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void createCell(int columnIndex, String value) throws IOException
+   {
+      createCell(columnIndex, value, -1);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void createCell(int columnIndex, double value, int styleIndex) throws IOException
+   {
+      String ref = new CellReference(rowNo, columnIndex).formatAsString();
+      writer.write("<c r=\"" + ref + "\" t=\"n\"");
+      if(styleIndex != -1)
+      {
+         writer.write(" s=\"" + styleIndex + "\"");
+      }
+      writer.write(">");
+      writer.write("<v>" + value + "</v>");
+      writer.write("</c>");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void createCell(int columnIndex, double value) throws IOException
+   {
+      createCell(columnIndex, value, -1);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void createCell(int columnIndex, Boolean value) throws IOException
+   {
+      createCell(columnIndex, value, -1);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void createCell(int columnIndex, Boolean value, int styleIndex) throws IOException
+   {
+      String ref = new CellReference(rowNo, columnIndex).formatAsString();
+      writer.write("<c r=\"" + ref + "\" t=\"b\"");
+      if(styleIndex != -1)
+      {
+         writer.write(" s=\"" + styleIndex + "\"");
+      }
+      writer.write(">");
+      if(value != null)
+      {
+         writer.write("<v>" + (value ? 1 : 0) + "</v>");
+      }
+      writer.write("</c>");
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/ExecuteCodeAction.java

@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ public class ExecuteCodeAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   @SuppressWarnings("checkstyle:indentation")
    public void run(ExecuteCodeInput input, ExecuteCodeOutput output) throws QException, QCodeException
    {
       QCodeReference codeReference = input.getCodeReference();

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

@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ public class DeleteAction
                QRecord recordWithError = new QRecord();
                recordsWithErrors.add(recordWithError);
                recordWithError.setValue(primaryKeyField.getName(), primaryKeyValue);
-               recordWithError.addError(new NotFoundStatusMessage("No record was found to delete for " + primaryKeyField.getLabel() + " = " + primaryKeyValue));
+               recordWithError.addError(new NotFoundStatusMessage("No record was found to delete for " + Objects.requireNonNullElse(primaryKeyField.getLabel(), primaryKeyField.getName()) + " = " + primaryKeyValue));
             }
          }
       }

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

@@ -65,16 +65,6 @@ public class GetAction
 
 
 
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public QRecord executeForRecord(GetInput getInput) throws QException
-   {
-      return (execute(getInput).getRecord());
-   }
-
-
-
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -108,7 +98,7 @@ public class GetAction
       }
 
       GetOutput getOutput;
-      boolean usingDefaultGetInterface = false;
+      boolean   usingDefaultGetInterface = false;
       if(getInterface == null)
       {
          getInterface = new DefaultGetInterface();
@@ -140,6 +130,43 @@ public class GetAction
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** shorthand way to call for the most common use-case, when you just want the
+    ** output record to be returned.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QRecord executeForRecord(GetInput getInput) throws QException
+   {
+      return (execute(getInput).getRecord());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** more shorthand way to call for the most common use-case, when you just want the
+    ** output record to be returned, and you just want to pass in a table name and primary key.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QRecord execute(String tableName, Serializable primaryKey) throws QException
+   {
+      GetAction getAction = new GetAction();
+      GetInput  getInput  = new GetInput(tableName).withPrimaryKey(primaryKey);
+      return getAction.executeForRecord(getInput);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** more shorthand way to call for the most common use-case, when you just want the
+    ** output record to be returned, and you just want to pass in a table name and unique key
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QRecord execute(String tableName, Map<String, Serializable> uniqueKey) throws QException
+   {
+      GetAction getAction = new GetAction();
+      GetInput  getInput  = new GetInput(tableName).withUniqueKey(uniqueKey);
+      return getAction.executeForRecord(getInput);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Run a GetAction by using the QueryAction instead (e.g., with a filter made
     ** from the pkey/ukey, and returning the single record if found).

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

@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Association;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.UniqueKey;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.BadInputStatusMessage;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.DuplicateKeyBadInputStatusMessage;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.QWarningMessage;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
@@ -414,7 +415,7 @@ public class InsertAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<InsertInput, InsertOut
                Optional<List<Serializable>> keyValues = UniqueKeyHelper.getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record);
                if(keyValues.isPresent() && (existingKeys.get(uniqueKey).contains(keyValues.get()) || keysInThisList.get(uniqueKey).contains(keyValues.get())))
                {
-                  record.addError(new BadInputStatusMessage("Another record already exists with this " + uniqueKey.getDescription(table)));
+                  record.addError(new DuplicateKeyBadInputStatusMessage("Another record already exists with this " + uniqueKey.getDescription(table)));
                   foundDupe = true;
                   break;
                }

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

@@ -151,6 +151,22 @@ public class QueryAction
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** shorthand way to call for the most common use-case, when you just want the
+    ** records to be returned, and you just want to pass in a table name and filter.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static List<QRecord> execute(String tableName, QQueryFilter filter) throws QException
+   {
+      QueryAction queryAction = new QueryAction();
+      QueryInput  queryInput  = new QueryInput();
+      queryInput.setTableName(tableName);
+      queryInput.setFilter(filter);
+      QueryOutput queryOutput = queryAction.execute(queryInput);
+      return (queryOutput.getRecords());
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -169,6 +185,7 @@ public class QueryAction
             nextLevelQueryInput.setTableName(association.getAssociatedTableName());
             nextLevelQueryInput.setIncludeAssociations(true);
             nextLevelQueryInput.setAssociationNamesToInclude(buildNextLevelAssociationNamesToInclude(association.getName(), queryInput.getAssociationNamesToInclude()));
+            nextLevelQueryInput.setTransaction(queryInput.getTransaction());
 
             QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter();
             nextLevelQueryInput.setFilter(filter);

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

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.UniqueKey;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import org.apache.commons.lang.BooleanUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -79,9 +80,11 @@ public class ReplaceAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<ReplaceInput, Replace
 
       try
       {
-         QTableMetaData table           = input.getTable();
-         UniqueKey      uniqueKey       = input.getKey();
-         String         primaryKeyField = table.getPrimaryKeyField();
+         QTableMetaData table                     = input.getTable();
+         UniqueKey      uniqueKey                 = input.getKey();
+         String         primaryKeyField           = table.getPrimaryKeyField();
+         boolean        allowNullKeyValuesToEqual = BooleanUtils.isTrue(input.getAllowNullKeyValuesToEqual());
+
          if(transaction == null)
          {
             transaction = QBackendTransaction.openFor(new InsertInput(input.getTableName()));
@@ -98,10 +101,11 @@ public class ReplaceAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<ReplaceInput, Replace
             // originally it was thought that we'd need to pass the filter in here           //
             // but, it's been decided not to.  the filter only applies to what we can delete //
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            Map<List<Serializable>, Serializable> existingKeys = UniqueKeyHelper.getExistingKeys(transaction, table, page, uniqueKey);
+            Map<List<Serializable>, Serializable> existingKeys = UniqueKeyHelper.getExistingKeys(transaction, table, page, uniqueKey, allowNullKeyValuesToEqual);
+
             for(QRecord record : page)
             {
-               Optional<List<Serializable>> keyValues = UniqueKeyHelper.getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record);
+               Optional<List<Serializable>> keyValues = UniqueKeyHelper.getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record, allowNullKeyValuesToEqual);
                if(keyValues.isPresent())
                {
                   if(existingKeys.containsKey(keyValues.get()))
@@ -153,6 +157,17 @@ public class ReplaceAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<ReplaceInput, Replace
             output.setDeleteOutput(deleteOutput);
          }
 
+         if(input.getSetPrimaryKeyInInsertedRecords())
+         {
+            for(int i = 0; i < insertList.size(); i++)
+            {
+               if(i < insertOutput.getRecords().size())
+               {
+                  insertList.get(i).setValue(primaryKeyField, insertOutput.getRecords().get(i).getValue(primaryKeyField));
+               }
+            }
+         }
+
          if(weOwnTheTransaction)
          {
             transaction.commit();

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

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.tables;
+
+
+import java.io.InputStream;
+import java.io.OutputStream;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.interfaces.QStorageInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.storage.StorageInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QBackendMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Action to do (generally, "mass") storage operations in a backend.
+ **
+ ** e.g., store a (potentially large) file - specifically - by working with it
+ ** as either an InputStream or OutputStream.
+ **
+ ** May not be implemented in all backends.
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class StorageAction
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public OutputStream createOutputStream(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException
+   {
+      QBackendModuleInterface qBackendModuleInterface = preAction(storageInput);
+      QStorageInterface       storageInterface        = qBackendModuleInterface.getStorageInterface();
+      return (storageInterface.createOutputStream(storageInput));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public InputStream getInputStream(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException
+   {
+      QBackendModuleInterface qBackendModuleInterface = preAction(storageInput);
+      QStorageInterface       storageInterface        = qBackendModuleInterface.getStorageInterface();
+      return (storageInterface.getInputStream(storageInput));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private QBackendModuleInterface preAction(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException
+   {
+      ActionHelper.validateSession(storageInput);
+
+      if(storageInput.getTableName() == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("Table name was not specified in storage input"));
+      }
+
+      QTableMetaData table = storageInput.getTable();
+      if(table == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("A table named [" + storageInput.getTableName() + "] was not found in the active QInstance"));
+      }
+
+      QBackendMetaData         backend                  = storageInput.getBackend();
+      QBackendModuleDispatcher qBackendModuleDispatcher = new QBackendModuleDispatcher();
+      QBackendModuleInterface  qModule                  = qBackendModuleDispatcher.getQBackendModule(backend);
+      return (qModule);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void makePublic(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException
+   {
+      QBackendModuleInterface qBackendModuleInterface = preAction(storageInput);
+      QStorageInterface       storageInterface        = qBackendModuleInterface.getStorageInterface();
+      storageInterface.makePublic(storageInput);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getDownloadURL(StorageInput storageInput) throws QException
+   {
+      QBackendModuleInterface qBackendModuleInterface = preAction(storageInput);
+      QStorageInterface       storageInterface        = qBackendModuleInterface.getStorageInterface();
+      return (storageInterface.getDownloadURL(storageInput));
+   }
+}

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

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables;
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Association;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.BadInputStatusMessage;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.NotFoundStatusMessage;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.QErrorMessage;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.QWarningMessage;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
@@ -334,6 +336,9 @@ public class UpdateAction
       QTableMetaData table           = updateInput.getTable();
       QFieldMetaData primaryKeyField = table.getField(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
 
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // todo - evolve to use lock tree (e.g., from multi-locks) //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       List<RecordSecurityLock> onlyWriteLocks = RecordSecurityLockFilters.filterForOnlyWriteLocks(CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getRecordSecurityLocks()));
 
       for(List<QRecord> page : CollectionUtils.getPages(updateInput.getRecords(), 1000))
@@ -393,7 +398,12 @@ public class UpdateAction
                   QRecord      oldRecord = lookedUpRecords.get(value);
                   QFieldType   fieldType = table.getField(lock.getFieldName()).getType();
                   Serializable lockValue = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(fieldType, oldRecord.getValue(lock.getFieldName()));
-                  ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.validateRecordSecurityValue(table, record, lock, lockValue, fieldType, ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.Action.UPDATE);
+
+                  List<QErrorMessage> errors = ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.validateRecordSecurityValue(table, lock, lockValue, fieldType, ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.Action.UPDATE, Collections.emptyMap());
+                  if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(errors))
+                  {
+                     errors.forEach(e -> record.addError(e));
+                  }
                }
             }
          }

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

@@ -214,71 +214,78 @@ public class QueryStatManager
     *******************************************************************************/
    public void add(QueryStat queryStat)
    {
-      if(queryStat == null)
+      try
       {
-         return;
-      }
-
-      if(active)
-      {
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // set fields that we need to capture now (rather than when the thread to store runs) //
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         if(queryStat.getFirstResultTimestamp() == null)
+         if(queryStat == null)
          {
-            queryStat.setFirstResultTimestamp(Instant.now());
-         }
-
-         if(queryStat.getStartTimestamp() != null && queryStat.getFirstResultTimestamp() != null && queryStat.getFirstResultMillis() == null)
-         {
-            long millis = queryStat.getFirstResultTimestamp().toEpochMilli() - queryStat.getStartTimestamp().toEpochMilli();
-            queryStat.setFirstResultMillis((int) millis);
-         }
-
-         if(queryStat.getFirstResultMillis() != null && queryStat.getFirstResultMillis() < minMillisToStore)
-         {
-            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // discard this record if it's under the min millis setting //
-            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             return;
          }
 
-         if(queryStat.getSessionId() == null && QContext.getQSession() != null)
+         if(active)
          {
-            queryStat.setSessionId(QContext.getQSession().getUuid());
-         }
-
-         if(queryStat.getAction() == null)
-         {
-            if(!QContext.getActionStack().isEmpty())
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // set fields that we need to capture now (rather than when the thread to store runs) //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(queryStat.getFirstResultTimestamp() == null)
             {
-               queryStat.setAction(QContext.getActionStack().peek().getActionIdentity());
+               queryStat.setFirstResultTimestamp(Instant.now());
             }
-            else
+
+            if(queryStat.getStartTimestamp() != null && queryStat.getFirstResultTimestamp() != null && queryStat.getFirstResultMillis() == null)
             {
-               boolean   expected = false;
-               Exception e        = new Exception("Unexpected empty action stack");
-               for(StackTraceElement stackTraceElement : e.getStackTrace())
+               long millis = queryStat.getFirstResultTimestamp().toEpochMilli() - queryStat.getStartTimestamp().toEpochMilli();
+               queryStat.setFirstResultMillis((int) millis);
+            }
+
+            if(queryStat.getFirstResultMillis() != null && queryStat.getFirstResultMillis() < minMillisToStore)
+            {
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // discard this record if it's under the min millis setting //
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               return;
+            }
+
+            if(queryStat.getSessionId() == null && QContext.getQSession() != null)
+            {
+               queryStat.setSessionId(QContext.getQSession().getUuid());
+            }
+
+            if(queryStat.getAction() == null)
+            {
+               if(QContext.getActionStack() != null && !QContext.getActionStack().isEmpty())
                {
-                  String className = stackTraceElement.getClassName();
-                  if(className.contains(QueryStatManagerInsertJob.class.getName()))
+                  queryStat.setAction(QContext.getActionStack().peek().getActionIdentity());
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  boolean   expected = false;
+                  Exception e        = new Exception("Unexpected empty action stack");
+                  for(StackTraceElement stackTraceElement : e.getStackTrace())
                   {
-                     expected = true;
-                     break;
+                     String className = stackTraceElement.getClassName();
+                     if(className.contains(QueryStatManagerInsertJob.class.getName()))
+                     {
+                        expected = true;
+                        break;
+                     }
+                  }
+
+                  if(!expected)
+                  {
+                     LOG.debug(e);
                   }
                }
+            }
 
-               if(!expected)
-               {
-                  LOG.debug(e);
-               }
+            synchronized(this)
+            {
+               queryStats.add(queryStat);
             }
          }
-
-         synchronized(this)
-         {
-            queryStats.add(queryStat);
-         }
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.debug("Error adding query stat", e);
       }
    }
 

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

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public class UniqueKeyHelper
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public static Map<List<Serializable>, Serializable> getExistingKeys(QBackendTransaction transaction, QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> recordList, UniqueKey uniqueKey) throws QException
+   public static Map<List<Serializable>, Serializable> getExistingKeys(QBackendTransaction transaction, QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> recordList, UniqueKey uniqueKey, boolean allowNullKeyValuesToEqual) throws QException
    {
       List<String>                          ukFieldNames    = uniqueKey.getFieldNames();
       Map<List<Serializable>, Serializable> existingRecords = new HashMap<>();
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public class UniqueKeyHelper
          QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
          for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
          {
-            Optional<List<Serializable>> keyValues = getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record);
+            Optional<List<Serializable>> keyValues = getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record, allowNullKeyValuesToEqual);
             if(keyValues.isPresent())
             {
                existingRecords.put(keyValues.get(), record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()));
@@ -128,7 +128,17 @@ public class UniqueKeyHelper
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public static Optional<List<Serializable>> getKeyValues(QTableMetaData table, UniqueKey uniqueKey, QRecord record)
+   public static Map<List<Serializable>, Serializable> getExistingKeys(QBackendTransaction transaction, QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> recordList, UniqueKey uniqueKey) throws QException
+   {
+      return (getExistingKeys(transaction, table, recordList, uniqueKey, false));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Optional<List<Serializable>> getKeyValues(QTableMetaData table, UniqueKey uniqueKey, QRecord record, boolean allowNullKeyValuesToEqual)
    {
       try
       {
@@ -138,7 +148,19 @@ public class UniqueKeyHelper
             QFieldMetaData field      = table.getField(fieldName);
             Serializable   value      = record.getValue(fieldName);
             Serializable   typedValue = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(field.getType(), value);
-            keyValues.add(typedValue == null ? new NullUniqueKeyValue() : typedValue);
+
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if null value, look at flag to determine if a null should be used (which will //
+            // allow keys to match), or a NullUniqueKeyValue, (which will never match)       //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(typedValue == null)
+            {
+               keyValues.add(allowNullKeyValuesToEqual ? null : new NullUniqueKeyValue());
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               keyValues.add(typedValue);
+            }
          }
          return (Optional.of(keyValues));
       }
@@ -150,6 +172,16 @@ public class UniqueKeyHelper
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Optional<List<Serializable>> getKeyValues(QTableMetaData table, UniqueKey uniqueKey, QRecord record)
+   {
+      return (getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record, false));
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** To make a list of unique key values here behave like they do in an RDBMS
     ** (which is what we're trying to mimic - which is - 2 null values in a field

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

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.helpers;
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
@@ -42,13 +43,16 @@ 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.joins.JoinOn;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.MultiRecordSecurityLock;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.NullValueBehaviorUtil;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.QSecurityKeyType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLock;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLockFilters;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.PermissionDeniedMessage;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.statusmessages.QErrorMessage;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.JsonUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ListingHash;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
@@ -81,160 +85,273 @@ public class ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static void validateSecurityFields(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, Action action) throws QException
    {
-      List<RecordSecurityLock> locksToCheck = getRecordSecurityLocks(table, action);
-      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(locksToCheck))
+      MultiRecordSecurityLock locksToCheck = getRecordSecurityLocks(table, action);
+      if(locksToCheck == null || CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(locksToCheck.getLocks()))
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // we will be relying on primary keys being set in records - but (at least for inserts) //
+      // we might not have pkeys - so make them up (and clear them out at the end)            //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      Map<Serializable, QRecord> madeUpPrimaryKeys = makeUpPrimaryKeysIfNeeded(records, table);
+
+      ////////////////////////////////
+      // actually check lock values //
+      ////////////////////////////////
+      Map<Serializable, RecordWithErrors> errorRecords = new HashMap<>();
+      evaluateRecordLocks(table, records, action, locksToCheck, errorRecords, new ArrayList<>(), madeUpPrimaryKeys);
+
+      /////////////////////////////////
+      // propagate errors to records //
+      /////////////////////////////////
+      for(RecordWithErrors recordWithErrors : errorRecords.values())
+      {
+         recordWithErrors.propagateErrorsToRecord(locksToCheck);
+      }
+
+      /////////////////////////////////
+      // remove made-up primary keys //
+      /////////////////////////////////
+      String primaryKeyField = table.getPrimaryKeyField();
+      for(QRecord record : madeUpPrimaryKeys.values())
+      {
+         record.setValue(primaryKeyField, null);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** For a list of `records` from a `table`, and a given `action`, evaluate a
+    ** `recordSecurityLock` (which may be a multi-lock) - populating the input map
+    ** of `errorRecords` - key'ed by primary key value (real or made up), with
+    ** error messages existing in a tree, with positions matching the multi-lock
+    ** tree that we're navigating, as tracked by `treePosition`.
+    **
+    ** Recursively processes multi-locks (and the top-level call is always with a
+    ** multi-lock - as the table's recordLocks list converted to an AND-multi-lock).
+    **
+    ** Of note - for the case of READ_WRITE locks, we're only evaluating the values
+    ** on the record, to see if they're allowed for us to store (because if we didn't
+    ** have the key, we wouldn't have been able to read the value (which is verified
+    ** outside of here, in UpdateAction/DeleteAction).
+    **
+    ** BUT - WRITE locks - in their case, we read the record no matter what, and in
+    ** here we need to verify we have a key that allows us to WRITE the record.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static void evaluateRecordLocks(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, Action action, RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock, Map<Serializable, RecordWithErrors> errorRecords, List<Integer> treePosition, Map<Serializable, QRecord> madeUpPrimaryKeys) throws QException
+   {
+      if(recordSecurityLock instanceof MultiRecordSecurityLock multiRecordSecurityLock)
+      {
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // for multi-locks, make recursive descent //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////
+         int i = 0;
+         for(RecordSecurityLock childLock : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(multiRecordSecurityLock.getLocks()))
+         {
+            treePosition.add(i);
+            evaluateRecordLocks(table, records, action, childLock, errorRecords, treePosition, madeUpPrimaryKeys);
+            treePosition.remove(treePosition.size() - 1);
+            i++;
+         }
+
+         return;
+      }
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if this lock has an all-access key, and the user has that key, then there can't be any errors here, so return early //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      QSecurityKeyType securityKeyType = QContext.getQInstance().getSecurityKeyType(recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType());
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName()) && QContext.getQSession().hasSecurityKeyValue(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName(), true, QFieldType.BOOLEAN))
       {
          return;
       }
 
       ////////////////////////////////
-      // actually check lock values //
+      // proceed w/ non-multi locks //
       ////////////////////////////////
-      for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : locksToCheck)
+      String primaryKeyField = table.getPrimaryKeyField();
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()))
       {
-         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()))
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // handle the value being in the table we're inserting/updating (e.g., no join) //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         QFieldMetaData field = table.getField(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName());
+
+         for(QRecord record : records)
          {
-            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // handle the value being in the table we're inserting/updating (e.g., no join) //
-            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            QFieldMetaData field = table.getField(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName());
-
-            for(QRecord record : records)
+            if(action.equals(Action.UPDATE) && !record.getValues().containsKey(field.getName()) && RecordSecurityLock.LockScope.READ_AND_WRITE.equals(recordSecurityLock.getLockScope()))
             {
-               if(action.equals(Action.UPDATE) && !record.getValues().containsKey(field.getName()) && RecordSecurityLock.LockScope.READ_AND_WRITE.equals(recordSecurityLock.getLockScope()))
-               {
-                  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-                  // if this is a read-write lock, then if we have the record, it means we were able to read the record. //
-                  // So if we're not updating the security field, then no error can come from it!                        //
-                  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-                  continue;
-               }
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if this is a read-write lock, then if we have the record, it means we were able to read the record. //
+               // So if we're not updating the security field, then no error can come from it!                        //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               continue;
+            }
 
-               Serializable recordSecurityValue = record.getValue(field.getName());
-               validateRecordSecurityValue(table, record, recordSecurityLock, recordSecurityValue, field.getType(), action);
+            Serializable        recordSecurityValue = record.getValue(field.getName());
+            List<QErrorMessage> recordErrors        = validateRecordSecurityValue(table, recordSecurityLock, recordSecurityValue, field.getType(), action, madeUpPrimaryKeys);
+            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordErrors))
+            {
+               errorRecords.computeIfAbsent(record.getValue(primaryKeyField), (k) -> new RecordWithErrors(record)).addAll(recordErrors, treePosition);
             }
          }
-         else
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // else look for the joined record - if it isn't found, assume a fail - else validate security value if found //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         QJoinMetaData leftMostJoin  = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().get(0));
+         QJoinMetaData rightMostJoin = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().get(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().size() - 1));
+
+         ////////////////////////////////
+         // todo probably, but more... //
+         ////////////////////////////////
+         // if(leftMostJoin.getLeftTable().equals(table.getName()))
+         // {
+         //    leftMostJoin = leftMostJoin.flip();
+         // }
+
+         QTableMetaData rightMostJoinTable = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(rightMostJoin.getRightTable());
+         QTableMetaData leftMostJoinTable  = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(leftMostJoin.getLeftTable());
+
+         for(List<QRecord> inputRecordPage : CollectionUtils.getPages(records, 500))
          {
-            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // else look for the joined record - if it isn't found, assume a fail - else validate security value if found //
-            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            QJoinMetaData  leftMostJoin       = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().get(0));
-            QJoinMetaData  rightMostJoin      = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().get(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().size() - 1));
-            QTableMetaData rightMostJoinTable = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(rightMostJoin.getRightTable());
-            QTableMetaData leftMostJoinTable  = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(leftMostJoin.getLeftTable());
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // set up a query for joined records                                                          //
+            // query will be like (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) OR (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) OR (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+            queryInput.setTableName(leftMostJoin.getLeftTable());
+            QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter().withBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
+            queryInput.setFilter(filter);
 
-            for(List<QRecord> inputRecordPage : CollectionUtils.getPages(records, 500))
+            for(String joinName : recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain())
             {
-               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               // set up a query for joined records                                                          //
-               // query will be like (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) OR (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) OR (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) //
-               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
-               queryInput.setTableName(leftMostJoin.getLeftTable());
-               QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter().withBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
-               queryInput.setFilter(filter);
-
-               for(String joinName : recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain())
+               ///////////////////////////////////////
+               // we don't need the right-most join //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////
+               if(!joinName.equals(rightMostJoin.getName()))
                {
-                  ///////////////////////////////////////
-                  // we don't need the right-most join //
-                  ///////////////////////////////////////
-                  if(!joinName.equals(rightMostJoin.getName()))
+                  queryInput.withQueryJoin(new QueryJoin().withJoinMetaData(QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(joinName)).withSelect(true));
+               }
+            }
+
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // foreach input record (in this page), put it in a listing hash, with key = list of join-values //
+            // e.g., (17,47)=(QRecord1), (18,48)=(QRecord2,QRecord3)                                         //
+            // also build up the query's sub-filters here (only adding them if they're unique).              //
+            // e.g., 2 order-lines referencing the same orderId don't need to be added to the query twice    //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            ListingHash<List<Serializable>, QRecord> inputRecordMapByJoinFields = new ListingHash<>();
+            for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecordPage)
+            {
+               List<Serializable> inputRecordJoinValues = new ArrayList<>();
+               QQueryFilter       subFilter             = new QQueryFilter();
+
+               boolean updatingAnyLockJoinFields = false;
+               for(JoinOn joinOn : rightMostJoin.getJoinOns())
+               {
+                  QFieldType   type             = rightMostJoinTable.getField(joinOn.getRightField()).getType();
+                  Serializable inputRecordValue = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(type, inputRecord.getValue(joinOn.getRightField()));
+                  inputRecordJoinValues.add(inputRecordValue);
+
+                  // if we have a value in this field (and it's not the primary key), then it means we're updating part of the lock
+                  if(inputRecordValue != null && !joinOn.getRightField().equals(table.getPrimaryKeyField()))
                   {
-                     queryInput.withQueryJoin(new QueryJoin().withJoinMetaData(QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(joinName)).withSelect(true));
+                     updatingAnyLockJoinFields = true;
                   }
+
+                  subFilter.addCriteria(inputRecordValue == null
+                     ? new QFilterCriteria(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField(), QCriteriaOperator.IS_BLANK)
+                     : new QFilterCriteria(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, inputRecordValue));
                }
 
-               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               // foreach input record (in this page), put it in a listing hash, with key = list of join-values //
-               // e.g., (17,47)=(QRecord1), (18,48)=(QRecord2,QRecord3)                                         //
-               // also build up the query's sub-filters here (only adding them if they're unique).              //
-               // e.g., 2 order-lines referencing the same orderId don't need to be added to the query twice    //
-               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               ListingHash<List<Serializable>, QRecord> inputRecordMapByJoinFields = new ListingHash<>();
-               for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecordPage)
+               //////////////////////////////////
+               // todo maybe, some version of? //
+               //////////////////////////////////
+               // if(action.equals(Action.UPDATE) && !updatingAnyLockJoinFields && RecordSecurityLock.LockScope.READ_AND_WRITE.equals(recordSecurityLock.getLockScope()))
+               // {
+               //    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               //    // if this is a read-write lock, then if we have the record, it means we were able to read the record. //
+               //    // So if we're not updating the security field, then no error can come from it!                        //
+               //    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               //    continue;
+               // }
+
+               if(!inputRecordMapByJoinFields.containsKey(inputRecordJoinValues))
                {
-                  List<Serializable> inputRecordJoinValues = new ArrayList<>();
-                  QQueryFilter       subFilter             = new QQueryFilter();
-
-                  for(JoinOn joinOn : rightMostJoin.getJoinOns())
-                  {
-                     QFieldType   type             = rightMostJoinTable.getField(joinOn.getRightField()).getType();
-                     Serializable inputRecordValue = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(type, inputRecord.getValue(joinOn.getRightField()));
-                     inputRecordJoinValues.add(inputRecordValue);
-
-                     subFilter.addCriteria(inputRecordValue == null
-                        ? new QFilterCriteria(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField(), QCriteriaOperator.IS_BLANK)
-                        : new QFilterCriteria(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, inputRecordValue));
-                  }
-
-                  if(!inputRecordMapByJoinFields.containsKey(inputRecordJoinValues))
-                  {
-                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-                     // only add this sub-filter if it's for a list of keys we haven't seen before //
-                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-                     filter.addSubFilter(subFilter);
-                  }
-
-                  inputRecordMapByJoinFields.add(inputRecordJoinValues, inputRecord);
+                  ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  // only add this sub-filter if it's for a list of keys we haven't seen before //
+                  ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  filter.addSubFilter(subFilter);
                }
 
-               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               // execute the query for joined records - then put them in a map with keys corresponding to the join values //
-               // e.g., (17,47)=(JoinRecord), (18,48)=(JoinRecord)                                                         //
-               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               QueryOutput                      queryOutput               = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
-               Map<List<Serializable>, QRecord> joinRecordMapByJoinFields = new HashMap<>();
-               for(QRecord joinRecord : queryOutput.getRecords())
-               {
-                  List<Serializable> joinRecordValues = new ArrayList<>();
-                  for(JoinOn joinOn : rightMostJoin.getJoinOns())
-                  {
-                     Serializable joinValue = joinRecord.getValue(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField());
-                     if(joinValue == null && joinRecord.getValues().keySet().stream().anyMatch(n -> !n.contains(".")))
-                     {
-                        joinValue = joinRecord.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField());
-                     }
-                     joinRecordValues.add(joinValue);
-                  }
+               inputRecordMapByJoinFields.add(inputRecordJoinValues, inputRecord);
+            }
 
-                  joinRecordMapByJoinFields.put(joinRecordValues, joinRecord);
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // execute the query for joined records - then put them in a map with keys corresponding to the join values //
+            // e.g., (17,47)=(JoinRecord), (18,48)=(JoinRecord)                                                         //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QueryOutput                      queryOutput               = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+            Map<List<Serializable>, QRecord> joinRecordMapByJoinFields = new HashMap<>();
+            for(QRecord joinRecord : queryOutput.getRecords())
+            {
+               List<Serializable> joinRecordValues = new ArrayList<>();
+               for(JoinOn joinOn : rightMostJoin.getJoinOns())
+               {
+                  Serializable joinValue = joinRecord.getValue(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField());
+                  if(joinValue == null && joinRecord.getValues().keySet().stream().anyMatch(n -> !n.contains(".")))
+                  {
+                     joinValue = joinRecord.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField());
+                  }
+                  joinRecordValues.add(joinValue);
                }
 
-               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               // now for each input record, look for its joinRecord - if it isn't found, then this insert     //
-               // isn't allowed.  if it is found, then validate its value matches this session's security keys //
-               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               for(Map.Entry<List<Serializable>, List<QRecord>> entry : inputRecordMapByJoinFields.entrySet())
+               joinRecordMapByJoinFields.put(joinRecordValues, joinRecord);
+            }
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // now for each input record, look for its joinRecord - if it isn't found, then this insert     //
+            // isn't allowed.  if it is found, then validate its value matches this session's security keys //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            for(Map.Entry<List<Serializable>, List<QRecord>> entry : inputRecordMapByJoinFields.entrySet())
+            {
+               List<Serializable> inputRecordJoinValues = entry.getKey();
+               List<QRecord>      inputRecords          = entry.getValue();
+               if(joinRecordMapByJoinFields.containsKey(inputRecordJoinValues))
                {
-                  List<Serializable> inputRecordJoinValues = entry.getKey();
-                  List<QRecord>      inputRecords          = entry.getValue();
-                  if(joinRecordMapByJoinFields.containsKey(inputRecordJoinValues))
+                  QRecord joinRecord = joinRecordMapByJoinFields.get(inputRecordJoinValues);
+
+                  String         fieldName           = recordSecurityLock.getFieldName().replaceFirst(".*\\.", "");
+                  QFieldMetaData field               = leftMostJoinTable.getField(fieldName);
+                  Serializable   recordSecurityValue = joinRecord.getValue(fieldName);
+                  if(recordSecurityValue == null && joinRecord.getValues().keySet().stream().anyMatch(n -> n.contains(".")))
                   {
-                     QRecord joinRecord = joinRecordMapByJoinFields.get(inputRecordJoinValues);
+                     recordSecurityValue = joinRecord.getValue(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName());
+                  }
 
-                     String         fieldName           = recordSecurityLock.getFieldName().replaceFirst(".*\\.", "");
-                     QFieldMetaData field               = leftMostJoinTable.getField(fieldName);
-                     Serializable   recordSecurityValue = joinRecord.getValue(fieldName);
-                     if(recordSecurityValue == null && joinRecord.getValues().keySet().stream().anyMatch(n -> n.contains(".")))
+                  for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecords)
+                  {
+                     List<QErrorMessage> recordErrors = validateRecordSecurityValue(table, recordSecurityLock, recordSecurityValue, field.getType(), action, madeUpPrimaryKeys);
+                     if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordErrors))
                      {
-                        recordSecurityValue = joinRecord.getValue(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName());
-                     }
-
-                     for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecords)
-                     {
-                        validateRecordSecurityValue(table, inputRecord, recordSecurityLock, recordSecurityValue, field.getType(), action);
+                        errorRecords.computeIfAbsent(inputRecord.getValue(primaryKeyField), (k) -> new RecordWithErrors(inputRecord)).addAll(recordErrors, treePosition);
                      }
                   }
-                  else
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecords)
                   {
-                     for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecords)
+                     if(RecordSecurityLock.NullValueBehavior.DENY.equals(NullValueBehaviorUtil.getEffectiveNullValueBehavior(recordSecurityLock)))
                      {
-                        if(RecordSecurityLock.NullValueBehavior.DENY.equals(NullValueBehaviorUtil.getEffectiveNullValueBehavior(recordSecurityLock)))
-                        {
-                           inputRecord.addError(new PermissionDeniedMessage("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " this record - the referenced " + leftMostJoinTable.getLabel() + " was not found."));
-                        }
+                        PermissionDeniedMessage error = new PermissionDeniedMessage("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " this record - the referenced " + leftMostJoinTable.getLabel() + " was not found.");
+                        errorRecords.computeIfAbsent(inputRecord.getValue(primaryKeyField), (k) -> new RecordWithErrors(inputRecord)).add(error, treePosition);
                      }
                   }
                }
@@ -246,45 +363,80 @@ public class ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    **
+    ** for tracking errors, we use primary keys.  add "made up" ones to records
+    ** if needed (e.g., insert use-case).
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private static List<RecordSecurityLock> getRecordSecurityLocks(QTableMetaData table, Action action)
+   private static Map<Serializable, QRecord> makeUpPrimaryKeysIfNeeded(List<QRecord> records, QTableMetaData table)
    {
-      List<RecordSecurityLock> recordSecurityLocks = CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getRecordSecurityLocks());
-      List<RecordSecurityLock> locksToCheck        = new ArrayList<>();
-
-      recordSecurityLocks = switch(action)
+      String                     primaryKeyField   = table.getPrimaryKeyField();
+      Map<Serializable, QRecord> madeUpPrimaryKeys = new HashMap<>();
+      Integer                    madeUpPrimaryKey  = Integer.MIN_VALUE / 2;
+      for(QRecord record : records)
       {
-         case INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE -> RecordSecurityLockFilters.filterForWriteLocks(recordSecurityLocks);
-         case SELECT -> RecordSecurityLockFilters.filterForReadLocks(recordSecurityLocks);
+         if(record.getValue(primaryKeyField) == null)
+         {
+            madeUpPrimaryKeys.put(madeUpPrimaryKey, record);
+            record.setValue(primaryKeyField, madeUpPrimaryKey);
+            madeUpPrimaryKey++;
+         }
+      }
+      return madeUpPrimaryKeys;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** For a given table & action type, convert the table's record locks to a
+    ** MultiRecordSecurityLock, with only the appropriate lock-scopes being included
+    ** (e.g., read-locks for selects, write-locks for insert/update/delete).
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static MultiRecordSecurityLock getRecordSecurityLocks(QTableMetaData table, Action action)
+   {
+      List<RecordSecurityLock> allLocksOnTable = CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getRecordSecurityLocks());
+      MultiRecordSecurityLock locksOfType = switch(action)
+      {
+         case INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE -> RecordSecurityLockFilters.filterForWriteLockTree(allLocksOnTable);
+         case SELECT -> RecordSecurityLockFilters.filterForReadLockTree(allLocksOnTable);
          default -> throw (new IllegalArgumentException("Unsupported action: " + action));
       };
 
+      if(action.equals(Action.UPDATE))
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // todo at some point this seemed right, but now it doesn't - needs work. //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // // when doing an update, convert all OR's to AND's... //
+         // ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // updateOperators(locksOfType, MultiRecordSecurityLock.BooleanOperator.AND);
+      }
+
       ////////////////////////////////////////
       // if there are no locks, just return //
       ////////////////////////////////////////
-      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordSecurityLocks))
+      if(locksOfType == null || CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(locksOfType.getLocks()))
       {
          return (null);
       }
 
-      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      // decide if any locks need checked - where one may not need checked if it has an all-access key, and the user has all-access //
-      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : recordSecurityLocks)
+      return (locksOfType);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** for a full multi-lock tree, set all of the boolean operators to the specified one.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static void updateOperators(MultiRecordSecurityLock multiLock, MultiRecordSecurityLock.BooleanOperator operator)
+   {
+      multiLock.setOperator(operator);
+      for(RecordSecurityLock childLock : multiLock.getLocks())
       {
-         QSecurityKeyType securityKeyType = QContext.getQInstance().getSecurityKeyType(recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType());
-         if(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName()) && QContext.getQSession().hasSecurityKeyValue(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName(), true, QFieldType.BOOLEAN))
+         if(childLock instanceof MultiRecordSecurityLock childMultiLock)
          {
-            LOG.trace("Session has " + securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName() + " - not checking this lock.");
-         }
-         else
-         {
-            locksToCheck.add(recordSecurityLock);
+            updateOperators(childMultiLock, operator);
          }
       }
-
-      return (locksToCheck);
    }
 
 
@@ -292,9 +444,9 @@ public class ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public static void validateRecordSecurityValue(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record, RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock, Serializable recordSecurityValue, QFieldType fieldType, Action action)
+   public static List<QErrorMessage> validateRecordSecurityValue(QTableMetaData table, RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock, Serializable recordSecurityValue, QFieldType fieldType, Action action, Map<Serializable, QRecord> madeUpPrimaryKeys)
    {
-      if(recordSecurityValue == null)
+      if(recordSecurityValue == null || (madeUpPrimaryKeys != null && madeUpPrimaryKeys.containsKey(recordSecurityValue)))
       {
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // handle null values - error if the NullValueBehavior is DENY //
@@ -302,7 +454,7 @@ public class ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper
          if(RecordSecurityLock.NullValueBehavior.DENY.equals(NullValueBehaviorUtil.getEffectiveNullValueBehavior(recordSecurityLock)))
          {
             String lockLabel = CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()) ? recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType() : table.getField(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName()).getLabel();
-            record.addError(new PermissionDeniedMessage("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " a record without a value in the field: " + lockLabel));
+            return (List.of(new PermissionDeniedMessage("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " a record without a value in the field: " + lockLabel)));
          }
       }
       else
@@ -314,15 +466,305 @@ public class ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper
                ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                // avoid telling the user a value from a foreign record that they didn't pass in themselves. //
                ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-               record.addError(new PermissionDeniedMessage("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " this record."));
+               return (List.of(new PermissionDeniedMessage("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " this record.")));
             }
             else
             {
                QFieldMetaData field = table.getField(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName());
-               record.addError(new PermissionDeniedMessage("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " a record with a value of " + recordSecurityValue + " in the field: " + field.getLabel()));
+               return (List.of(new PermissionDeniedMessage("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " a record with a value of " + recordSecurityValue + " in the field: " + field.getLabel())));
             }
          }
       }
+      return (Collections.emptyList());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Class to track errors that we're associating with a record.
+    **
+    ** More complex than it first seems to be needed, because as we're evaluating
+    ** locks, we might find some, but based on the boolean condition associated with
+    ** them, they might not actually be record-level errors.
+    **
+    ** e.g., two locks with an OR relationship - as long as one passes, the record
+    ** should have no errors.  And so-on through the tree of locks/multi-locks.
+    **
+    ** Stores the errors in a tree of ErrorTreeNode objects.
+    **
+    ** References into that tree are achieved via a List of Integer called "tree positions"
+    ** where each entry in the list denotes the index of the tree node at that level.
+    **
+    ** e.g., given this tree:
+    ** <pre>
+    **   A      B
+    **  / \    /|\
+    ** C   D  E F G
+    **     |
+    **     H
+    ** </pre>
+    **
+    ** The positions of each node would be:
+    ** <pre>
+    ** A: [0]
+    ** B: [1]
+    ** C: [0,0]
+    ** D: [0,1]
+    ** E: [1,0]
+    ** F: [1,1]
+    ** G: [1,2]
+    ** H: [0,1,0]
+    ** </pre>
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static class RecordWithErrors
+   {
+      private QRecord       record;
+      private ErrorTreeNode errorTree;
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** Constructor
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public RecordWithErrors(QRecord record)
+      {
+         this.record = record;
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** add a list of errors, for a given list of tree positions
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public void addAll(List<QErrorMessage> recordErrors, List<Integer> treePositions)
+      {
+         if(errorTree == null)
+         {
+            errorTree = new ErrorTreeNode();
+         }
+
+         ErrorTreeNode node = errorTree;
+         for(Integer treePosition : treePositions)
+         {
+            if(node.children == null)
+            {
+               node.children = new ArrayList<>(treePosition);
+            }
+
+            while(treePosition >= node.children.size())
+            {
+               node.children.add(null);
+            }
+
+            if(node.children.get(treePosition) == null)
+            {
+               node.children.set(treePosition, new ErrorTreeNode());
+            }
+
+            node = node.children.get(treePosition);
+         }
+
+         if(node.errors == null)
+         {
+            node.errors = new ArrayList<>();
+         }
+         node.errors.addAll(recordErrors);
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** add a single error to a given tree-position
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public void add(QErrorMessage error, List<Integer> treePositions)
+      {
+         addAll(List.of(error), treePositions);
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** after the tree of errors has been built - walk a lock-tree (locksToCheck)
+       ** and resolve boolean operations, to get a final list of errors (possibly empty)
+       ** to put on the record.
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public void propagateErrorsToRecord(MultiRecordSecurityLock locksToCheck)
+      {
+         List<QErrorMessage> errors = recursivePropagation(locksToCheck, new ArrayList<>());
+
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(errors))
+         {
+            errors.forEach(e -> record.addError(e));
+         }
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** recursive implementation of the propagation method - e.g., walk tree applying
+       ** boolean logic.
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      private List<QErrorMessage> recursivePropagation(MultiRecordSecurityLock locksToCheck, List<Integer> treePositions)
+      {
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // build a list of errors at this level (and deeper levels too) //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         List<QErrorMessage> errorsFromThisLevel = new ArrayList<>();
+
+         int i = 0;
+         for(RecordSecurityLock lock : locksToCheck.getLocks())
+         {
+            List<QErrorMessage> errorsFromThisLock;
+
+            treePositions.add(i);
+            if(lock instanceof MultiRecordSecurityLock childMultiLock)
+            {
+               errorsFromThisLock = recursivePropagation(childMultiLock, treePositions);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               errorsFromThisLock = getErrorsFromTree(treePositions);
+            }
+
+            errorsFromThisLevel.addAll(errorsFromThisLock);
+
+            treePositions.remove(treePositions.size() - 1);
+            i++;
+         }
+
+         if(MultiRecordSecurityLock.BooleanOperator.AND.equals(locksToCheck.getOperator()))
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // for an AND - if there were ANY errors, then return them. //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(!errorsFromThisLevel.isEmpty())
+            {
+               return (errorsFromThisLevel);
+            }
+         }
+         else // OR
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // for an OR - only return if ALL conditions had errors //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(errorsFromThisLevel.size() == locksToCheck.getLocks().size())
+            {
+               return (errorsFromThisLevel); // todo something smarter?
+            }
+         }
+
+         ///////////////////////////////////
+         // else - no errors - empty list //
+         ///////////////////////////////////
+         return Collections.emptyList();
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      private List<QErrorMessage> getErrorsFromTree(List<Integer> treePositions)
+      {
+         ErrorTreeNode node = errorTree;
+
+         for(Integer treePosition : treePositions)
+         {
+            if(node.children == null)
+            {
+               return Collections.emptyList();
+            }
+
+            if(treePosition >= node.children.size())
+            {
+               return Collections.emptyList();
+            }
+
+            if(node.children.get(treePosition) == null)
+            {
+               return Collections.emptyList();
+            }
+
+            node = node.children.get(treePosition);
+         }
+
+         if(node.errors == null)
+         {
+            return Collections.emptyList();
+         }
+
+         return node.errors;
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      @Override
+      public String toString()
+      {
+         try
+         {
+            return JsonUtils.toPrettyJson(this);
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            return "error in toString";
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** tree node used by RecordWithErrors
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static class ErrorTreeNode
+   {
+      private List<QErrorMessage>      errors;
+      private ArrayList<ErrorTreeNode> children;
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      @Override
+      public String toString()
+      {
+         try
+         {
+            return JsonUtils.toPrettyJson(this);
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            return "error in toString";
+         }
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** Getter for errors - only here for Jackson/toString
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public List<QErrorMessage> getErrors()
+      {
+         return errors;
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** Getter for children - only here for Jackson/toString
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public ArrayList<ErrorTreeNode> getChildren()
+      {
+         return children;
+      }
    }
 
 }

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

@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
    }
 
 
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Constructor
     **
@@ -370,6 +371,14 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
     *******************************************************************************/
    private String translatePossibleValueCustom(Serializable value, QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource)
    {
+      /////////////////////////////////
+      // null input gets null output //
+      /////////////////////////////////
+      if(value == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
       try
       {
          QCustomPossibleValueProvider customPossibleValueProvider = QCodeLoader.getCustomPossibleValueProvider(possibleValueSource);
@@ -413,7 +422,6 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   @SuppressWarnings("checkstyle:Indentation")
    private String doFormatPossibleValue(String formatString, List<String> valueFields, Object id, String label)
    {
       List<Object> values = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -552,20 +560,47 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
     *******************************************************************************/
    private void primePvsCache(String tableName, List<QPossibleValueSource> possibleValueSources, Collection<Serializable> values)
    {
+      String idField = null;
       for(QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource : possibleValueSources)
       {
          possibleValueCache.putIfAbsent(possibleValueSource.getName(), new HashMap<>());
+         String thisPvsIdField;
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(possibleValueSource.getOverrideIdField()))
+         {
+            thisPvsIdField = possibleValueSource.getOverrideIdField();
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            thisPvsIdField = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(tableName).getPrimaryKeyField();
+         }
+
+         if(idField == null)
+         {
+            idField = thisPvsIdField;
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // does this ever happen?  maybe not... because, like, the list of values probably wouldn't make sense for //
+            // more than one field in the table...                                                                     //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(!idField.equals(thisPvsIdField))
+            {
+               for(QPossibleValueSource valueSource : possibleValueSources)
+               {
+                  primePvsCache(tableName, List.of(valueSource), values);
+               }
+            }
+         }
       }
 
       try
       {
-         String primaryKeyField = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(tableName).getPrimaryKeyField();
-
          for(List<Serializable> page : CollectionUtils.getPages(values, 1000))
          {
             QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
             queryInput.setTableName(tableName);
-            queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(primaryKeyField, QCriteriaOperator.IN, page)));
+            queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(idField, QCriteriaOperator.IN, page)));
             queryInput.setTransaction(getTransaction(tableName));
 
             /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -610,7 +645,7 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
             {
-               Serializable pkeyValue = record.getValue(primaryKeyField);
+               Serializable pkeyValue = record.getValue(idField);
                for(QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource : possibleValueSources)
                {
                   QPossibleValue<?> possibleValue = new QPossibleValue<>(pkeyValue, record.getRecordLabel());

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

@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ import java.time.LocalDateTime;
 import java.time.LocalTime;
 import java.time.ZonedDateTime;
 import java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter;
-import java.util.Collection;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -364,7 +363,9 @@ public class QValueFormatter
             }
          }
 
-         setDisplayValuesInRecord(fieldMap, record);
+         ValueBehaviorApplier.applyFieldBehaviors(ValueBehaviorApplier.Action.FORMATTING, QContext.getQInstance(), table, records, null);
+
+         setDisplayValuesInRecord(table, fieldMap, record, true);
          record.setRecordLabel(formatRecordLabel(table, record));
       }
    }
@@ -374,61 +375,49 @@ public class QValueFormatter
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** For a list of records, set their recordLabels and display values
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecords(Collection<QFieldMetaData> fields, List<QRecord> records)
+   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecords(QTableMetaData table, Map<String, QFieldMetaData> fields, List<QRecord> records)
    {
       if(records == null)
       {
          return;
       }
 
+      if(table != null)
+      {
+         ValueBehaviorApplier.applyFieldBehaviors(ValueBehaviorApplier.Action.FORMATTING, QContext.getQInstance(), table, records, null);
+      }
+
       for(QRecord record : records)
       {
-         setDisplayValuesInRecord(fields, record);
+         setDisplayValuesInRecord(table, fields, record, true);
       }
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** For a list of records, set their recordLabels and display values
+    ** For a single record, set its display values - public version of this.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecords(Map<String, QFieldMetaData> fields, List<QRecord> records)
+   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecord(QTableMetaData table, Map<String, QFieldMetaData> fields, QRecord record)
    {
-      if(records == null)
-      {
-         return;
-      }
-
-      for(QRecord record : records)
-      {
-         setDisplayValuesInRecord(fields, record);
-      }
+      setDisplayValuesInRecord(table, fields, record, false);
    }
 
 
-
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** For a list of records, set their display values
+    ** For a single record, set its display values - where caller (meant to stay private)
+    ** can specify if they've already done fieldBehaviors (to avoid re-doing).
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecord(Collection<QFieldMetaData> fields, QRecord record)
+   private static void setDisplayValuesInRecord(QTableMetaData table, Map<String, QFieldMetaData> fields, QRecord record, boolean alreadyAppliedFieldDisplayBehaviors)
    {
-      for(QFieldMetaData field : fields)
+      if(!alreadyAppliedFieldDisplayBehaviors)
       {
-         if(record.getDisplayValue(field.getName()) == null)
+         if(table != null)
          {
-            String formattedValue = formatValue(field, record.getValue(field.getName()));
-            record.setDisplayValue(field.getName(), formattedValue);
+            ValueBehaviorApplier.applyFieldBehaviors(ValueBehaviorApplier.Action.FORMATTING, QContext.getQInstance(), table, List.of(record), null);
          }
       }
-   }
 
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** For a list of records, set their display values
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecord(Map<String, QFieldMetaData> fields, QRecord record)
-   {
       for(Map.Entry<String, QFieldMetaData> entry : fields.entrySet())
       {
          String         fieldName = entry.getKey();

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

@@ -275,8 +275,19 @@ public class SearchPossibleValueSourceAction
 
       queryInput.setFilter(queryFilter);
 
-      QueryOutput             queryOutput     = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
-      List<Serializable>      ids             = queryOutput.getRecords().stream().map(r -> r.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField())).toList();
+      QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+
+      String fieldName;
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(possibleValueSource.getOverrideIdField()))
+      {
+         fieldName = possibleValueSource.getOverrideIdField();
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         fieldName = table.getPrimaryKeyField();
+      }
+
+      List<Serializable> ids = queryOutput.getRecords().stream().map(r -> r.getValue(fieldName)).toList();
       List<QPossibleValue<?>> qPossibleValues = possibleValueTranslator.buildTranslatedPossibleValueList(possibleValueSource, ids);
       output.setResults(qPossibleValues);
 

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

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.FieldBehavior;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.FieldDisplayBehavior;
 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.CollectionUtils;
@@ -44,7 +45,8 @@ public class ValueBehaviorApplier
    public enum Action
    {
       INSERT,
-      UPDATE
+      UPDATE,
+      FORMATTING
    }
 
 
@@ -63,7 +65,34 @@ public class ValueBehaviorApplier
       {
          for(FieldBehavior<?> fieldBehavior : CollectionUtils.nonNullCollection(field.getBehaviors()))
          {
-            fieldBehavior.apply(action, recordList, instance, table, field, behaviorsToOmit);
+            boolean applyBehavior = true;
+            if(behaviorsToOmit != null && behaviorsToOmit.contains(fieldBehavior))
+            {
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if we're given a set of behaviors to omit, and this behavior is in there, then skip //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               applyBehavior = false;
+            }
+
+            if(Action.FORMATTING == action && !(fieldBehavior instanceof FieldDisplayBehavior<?>))
+            {
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // for the formatting action, do not apply the behavior unless it is a field-display-behavior //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               applyBehavior = false;
+            }
+            else if(Action.FORMATTING != action && fieldBehavior instanceof FieldDisplayBehavior<?>)
+            {
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // for non-formatting actions, do not apply the behavior IF it is a field-display-behavior //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               applyBehavior = false;
+            }
+
+            if(applyBehavior)
+            {
+               fieldBehavior.apply(action, recordList, instance, table, field);
+            }
          }
       }
    }

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

@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.insert.Bulk
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.insert.BulkInsertTransformStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.ExtractViaQueryStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.StreamedETLWithFrontendProcess;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.scheduler.QScheduleManager;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ListingHash;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
@@ -159,6 +160,18 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       }
 
       enrichJoins();
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if the instance DOES have 1 or more scheduler, but no schedulable types, //
+      // then go ahead and add the default set that qqq knows about               //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(qInstance.getSchedulers()))
+      {
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(qInstance.getSchedulableTypes()))
+         {
+            QScheduleManager.defineDefaultSchedulableTypesInInstance(qInstance);
+         }
+      }
    }
 
 

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

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help.HelpFormat;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help.HelpRole;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help.QHelpContent;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help.QHelpRole;
+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.model.metadata.tables.QFieldSection;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
@@ -111,6 +112,7 @@ public class QInstanceHelpContentManager
          String processName = nameValuePairs.get("process");
          String fieldName   = nameValuePairs.get("field");
          String sectionName = nameValuePairs.get("section");
+         String stepName = nameValuePairs.get("step");
          String widgetName  = nameValuePairs.get("widget");
          String slotName    = nameValuePairs.get("slot");
 
@@ -145,12 +147,11 @@ public class QInstanceHelpContentManager
          }
          else if(StringUtils.hasContent(processName))
          {
-            processHelpContentForProcess(key, processName, fieldName, roles, helpContent);
+            processHelpContentForProcess(key, processName, fieldName, stepName, roles, helpContent);
          }
          else if(StringUtils.hasContent(widgetName))
          {
-            processHelpContentForWidget(key, widgetName, slotName, helpContent);
-
+            processHelpContentForWidget(key, widgetName, slotName, roles, helpContent);
          }
       }
       catch(Exception e)
@@ -209,6 +210,10 @@ public class QInstanceHelpContentManager
             optionalSection.get().removeHelpContent(roles);
          }
       }
+      else
+      {
+         LOG.info("Unrecognized key format for table help content", logPair("key", key));
+      }
    }
 
 
@@ -216,7 +221,7 @@ public class QInstanceHelpContentManager
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private static void processHelpContentForProcess(String key, String processName, String fieldName, Set<HelpRole> roles, QHelpContent helpContent)
+   private static void processHelpContentForProcess(String key, String processName, String fieldName, String stepName, Set<HelpRole> roles, QHelpContent helpContent)
    {
       QProcessMetaData process = QContext.getQInstance().getProcess(processName);
       if(process == null)
@@ -245,6 +250,30 @@ public class QInstanceHelpContentManager
             optionalField.get().removeHelpContent(roles);
          }
       }
+      else if(StringUtils.hasContent(stepName))
+      {
+         /////////////////////////////
+         // handle a process screen //
+         /////////////////////////////
+         QFrontendStepMetaData frontendStep = process.getFrontendStep(stepName);
+
+         if(frontendStep == null)
+         {
+            LOG.info("Unrecognized process step in help content", logPair("key", key));
+         }
+         else if(helpContent != null)
+         {
+            frontendStep.withHelpContent(helpContent);
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            frontendStep.removeHelpContent(roles);
+         }
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         LOG.info("Unrecognized key format for process help content", logPair("key", key));
+      }
    }
 
 
@@ -252,7 +281,7 @@ public class QInstanceHelpContentManager
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private static void processHelpContentForWidget(String key, String widgetName, String slotName, QHelpContent helpContent)
+   private static void processHelpContentForWidget(String key, String widgetName, String slotName, Set<HelpRole> roles, QHelpContent helpContent)
    {
       QWidgetMetaDataInterface widget = QContext.getQInstance().getWidget(widgetName);
       if(!StringUtils.hasContent(slotName))
@@ -265,22 +294,14 @@ public class QInstanceHelpContentManager
       }
       else
       {
-         Map<String, QHelpContent> widgetHelpContent = widget.getHelpContent();
-         if(widgetHelpContent == null)
-         {
-            widgetHelpContent = new HashMap<>();
-         }
-
          if(helpContent != null)
          {
-            widgetHelpContent.put(slotName, helpContent);
+            widget.withHelpContent(slotName, helpContent);
          }
          else
          {
-            widgetHelpContent.remove(slotName);
+            widget.removeHelpContent(slotName, roles);
          }
-
-         widget.setHelpContent(widgetHelpContent);
       }
    }
 

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

@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.ParentWidgetMetaD
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.QWidgetMetaDataInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.AdornmentType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.FieldAdornment;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.FieldBehavior;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.ValueTooLongBehavior;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.JoinOn;
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportView;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.scheduleing.QScheduleMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.FieldSecurityLock;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.MultiRecordSecurityLock;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.QSecurityKeyType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLock;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.AssociatedScript;
@@ -107,6 +109,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.lambdas.UnsafeLambda;
 import org.quartz.CronExpression;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -149,6 +152,7 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
       // once, during the enrichment/validation work, so, capture it, and store it back in the instance. //
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       JoinGraph joinGraph = null;
+      long      start     = System.currentTimeMillis();
       try
       {
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -189,6 +193,9 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
          validateUniqueTopLevelNames(qInstance);
 
          runPlugins(QInstance.class, qInstance, qInstance);
+
+         long end = System.currentTimeMillis();
+         LOG.info("Validation (and enrichment) performance", logPair("millis", (end - start)));
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
@@ -207,6 +214,17 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void revalidate(QInstance qInstance) throws QInstanceValidationException
+   {
+      qInstance.setHasBeenValidated(null);
+      validate(qInstance);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -623,6 +641,11 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                supplementalTableMetaData.validate(qInstance, table, this);
             }
 
+            if(table.getShareableTableMetaData() != null)
+            {
+               table.getShareableTableMetaData().validate(qInstance, table, this);
+            }
+
             runPlugins(QTableMetaData.class, table, qInstance);
          });
       }
@@ -650,17 +673,20 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
             {
                if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(exposedJoin.getJoinPath()), joinPrefix + "is missing a joinPath."))
                {
-                  joinConnectionsForTable = Objects.requireNonNullElseGet(joinConnectionsForTable, () -> joinGraph.getJoinConnections(table.getName()));
-
-                  boolean foundJoinConnection = false;
-                  for(JoinGraph.JoinConnectionList joinConnectionList : joinConnectionsForTable)
+                  if(joinGraph != null)
                   {
-                     if(joinConnectionList.matchesJoinPath(exposedJoin.getJoinPath()))
+                     joinConnectionsForTable = Objects.requireNonNullElseGet(joinConnectionsForTable, () -> joinGraph.getJoinConnections(table.getName()));
+
+                     boolean foundJoinConnection = false;
+                     for(JoinGraph.JoinConnectionList joinConnectionList : joinConnectionsForTable)
                      {
-                        foundJoinConnection = true;
+                        if(joinConnectionList.matchesJoinPath(exposedJoin.getJoinPath()))
+                        {
+                           foundJoinConnection = true;
+                        }
                      }
+                     assertCondition(foundJoinConnection, joinPrefix + "specified a joinPath [" + exposedJoin.getJoinPath() + "] which does not match a valid join connection in the instance.");
                   }
-                  assertCondition(foundJoinConnection, joinPrefix + "specified a joinPath [" + exposedJoin.getJoinPath() + "] which does not match a valid join connection in the instance.");
 
                   assertCondition(!usedJoinPaths.contains(exposedJoin.getJoinPath()), tablePrefix + "has more than one join with the joinPath: " + exposedJoin.getJoinPath());
                   usedJoinPaths.add(exposedJoin.getJoinPath());
@@ -710,7 +736,6 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
    {
       String prefix = "Table " + table.getName() + " ";
 
-      RECORD_SECURITY_LOCKS_LOOP:
       for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getRecordSecurityLocks()))
       {
          if(!assertCondition(recordSecurityLock != null, prefix + "has a null recordSecurityLock (did you mean to give it a null list of locks?)"))
@@ -718,90 +743,14 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
             continue;
          }
 
-         String securityKeyTypeName = recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType();
-         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyTypeName), prefix + "has a recordSecurityLock that is missing a securityKeyType"))
+         if(recordSecurityLock instanceof MultiRecordSecurityLock multiRecordSecurityLock)
          {
-            assertCondition(qInstance.getSecurityKeyType(securityKeyTypeName) != null, prefix + "has a recordSecurityLock with an unrecognized securityKeyType: " + securityKeyTypeName);
+            validateMultiRecordSecurityLock(qInstance, table, multiRecordSecurityLock, prefix);
          }
-
-         prefix = "Table " + table.getName() + " recordSecurityLock (of key type " + securityKeyTypeName + ") ";
-
-         assertCondition(recordSecurityLock.getLockScope() != null, prefix + " is missing its lockScope");
-
-         boolean hasAnyBadJoins = false;
-         for(String joinName : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()))
+         else
          {
-            if(!assertCondition(qInstance.getJoin(joinName) != null, prefix + "has an unrecognized joinName: " + joinName))
-            {
-               hasAnyBadJoins = true;
-            }
+            validateRecordSecurityLock(qInstance, table, recordSecurityLock, prefix);
          }
-
-         String fieldName = recordSecurityLock.getFieldName();
-
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // don't bother trying to validate field names if we know we have a bad join. //
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(fieldName), prefix + "is missing a fieldName") && !hasAnyBadJoins)
-         {
-            if(fieldName.contains("."))
-            {
-               if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()), prefix + "field name " + fieldName + " looks like a join (has a dot), but no joinNameChain was given."))
-               {
-                  List<QueryJoin> joins = new ArrayList<>();
-
-                  ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-                  // ok - so - the join name chain is going to be like this:                                       //
-                  // for a table:  orderLineItemExtrinsic (that's 2 away from order, where the security field is): //
-                  // - securityFieldName = order.clientId                                                          //
-                  // - joinNameChain = orderJoinOrderLineItem, orderLineItemJoinOrderLineItemExtrinsic             //
-                  // so - to navigate from the table to the security field, we need to reverse the joinNameChain,  //
-                  // and step (via tmpTable variable) back to the securityField                                    //
-                  ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-                  ArrayList<String> joinNameChain = new ArrayList<>(CollectionUtils.nonNullList(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()));
-                  Collections.reverse(joinNameChain);
-
-                  QTableMetaData tmpTable = table;
-
-                  for(String joinName : joinNameChain)
-                  {
-                     QJoinMetaData join = qInstance.getJoin(joinName);
-                     if(join == null)
-                     {
-                        errors.add(prefix + "joinNameChain contained an unrecognized join: " + joinName);
-                        continue RECORD_SECURITY_LOCKS_LOOP;
-                     }
-
-                     if(join.getLeftTable().equals(tmpTable.getName()))
-                     {
-                        joins.add(new QueryJoin(join));
-                        tmpTable = qInstance.getTable(join.getRightTable());
-                     }
-                     else if(join.getRightTable().equals(tmpTable.getName()))
-                     {
-                        joins.add(new QueryJoin(join.flip()));
-                        tmpTable = qInstance.getTable(join.getLeftTable());
-                     }
-                     else
-                     {
-                        errors.add(prefix + "joinNameChain could not be followed through join: " + joinName);
-                        continue RECORD_SECURITY_LOCKS_LOOP;
-                     }
-                  }
-
-                  assertCondition(findField(qInstance, table, joins, fieldName), prefix + "has an unrecognized fieldName: " + fieldName);
-               }
-            }
-            else
-            {
-               if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()), prefix + "field name " + fieldName + " does not look like a join (does not have a dot), but a joinNameChain was given."))
-               {
-                  assertNoException(() -> table.getField(fieldName), prefix + "has an unrecognized fieldName: " + fieldName);
-               }
-            }
-         }
-
-         assertCondition(recordSecurityLock.getNullValueBehavior() != null, prefix + "is missing a nullValueBehavior");
       }
    }
 
@@ -810,7 +759,121 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void validateTableField(QInstance qInstance, String tableName, String fieldName, QTableMetaData table, QFieldMetaData field)
+   private void validateMultiRecordSecurityLock(QInstance qInstance, QTableMetaData table, MultiRecordSecurityLock multiRecordSecurityLock, String prefix)
+   {
+      assertCondition(multiRecordSecurityLock.getOperator() != null, prefix + "has a MultiRecordSecurityLock that is missing an operator");
+
+      for(RecordSecurityLock lock : multiRecordSecurityLock.getLocks())
+      {
+         validateRecordSecurityLock(qInstance, table, lock, prefix);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateRecordSecurityLock(QInstance qInstance, QTableMetaData table, RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock, String prefix)
+   {
+      String securityKeyTypeName = recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType();
+      if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyTypeName), prefix + "has a recordSecurityLock that is missing a securityKeyType"))
+      {
+         assertCondition(qInstance.getSecurityKeyType(securityKeyTypeName) != null, prefix + "has a recordSecurityLock with an unrecognized securityKeyType: " + securityKeyTypeName);
+      }
+
+      prefix = "Table " + table.getName() + " recordSecurityLock (of key type " + securityKeyTypeName + ") ";
+
+      assertCondition(recordSecurityLock.getLockScope() != null, prefix + " is missing its lockScope");
+
+      boolean hasAnyBadJoins = false;
+      for(String joinName : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()))
+      {
+         if(!assertCondition(qInstance.getJoin(joinName) != null, prefix + "has an unrecognized joinName: " + joinName))
+         {
+            hasAnyBadJoins = true;
+         }
+      }
+
+      String fieldName = recordSecurityLock.getFieldName();
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // don't bother trying to validate field names if we know we have a bad join. //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(fieldName), prefix + "is missing a fieldName") && !hasAnyBadJoins)
+      {
+         if(fieldName.contains("."))
+         {
+            if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()), prefix + "field name " + fieldName + " looks like a join (has a dot), but no joinNameChain was given."))
+            {
+               String[] split         = fieldName.split("\\.");
+               String   joinTableName = split[0];
+               String   joinFieldName = split[1];
+
+               List<QueryJoin> joins = new ArrayList<>();
+
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // ok - so - the join name chain is going to be like this:                                       //
+               // for a table:  orderLineItemExtrinsic (that's 2 away from order, where the security field is): //
+               // - securityFieldName = order.clientId                                                          //
+               // - joinNameChain = orderJoinOrderLineItem, orderLineItemJoinOrderLineItemExtrinsic             //
+               // so - to navigate from the table to the security field, we need to reverse the joinNameChain,  //
+               // and step (via tmpTable variable) back to the securityField                                    //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               ArrayList<String> joinNameChain = new ArrayList<>(CollectionUtils.nonNullList(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()));
+               Collections.reverse(joinNameChain);
+
+               QTableMetaData tmpTable = table;
+
+               for(String joinName : joinNameChain)
+               {
+                  QJoinMetaData join = qInstance.getJoin(joinName);
+                  if(join == null)
+                  {
+                     errors.add(prefix + "joinNameChain contained an unrecognized join: " + joinName);
+                     return;
+                  }
+
+                  if(join.getLeftTable().equals(tmpTable.getName()))
+                  {
+                     joins.add(new QueryJoin(join));
+                     tmpTable = qInstance.getTable(join.getRightTable());
+                  }
+                  else if(join.getRightTable().equals(tmpTable.getName()))
+                  {
+                     joins.add(new QueryJoin(join.flip()));
+                     tmpTable = qInstance.getTable(join.getLeftTable());
+                  }
+                  else
+                  {
+                     errors.add(prefix + "joinNameChain could not be followed through join: " + joinName);
+                     return;
+                  }
+               }
+
+               assertCondition(Objects.equals(tmpTable.getName(), joinTableName), prefix + "has a joinNameChain doesn't end in the expected table [" + joinTableName + "] (was: " + tmpTable.getName() + ")");
+
+               assertCondition(findField(qInstance, table, joins, fieldName), prefix + "has an unrecognized fieldName: " + fieldName);
+            }
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()), prefix + "field name " + fieldName + " does not look like a join (does not have a dot), but a joinNameChain was given."))
+            {
+               assertNoException(() -> table.getField(fieldName), prefix + "has an unrecognized fieldName: " + fieldName);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      assertCondition(recordSecurityLock.getNullValueBehavior() != null, prefix + "is missing a nullValueBehavior");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private <T extends FieldBehavior<T>> void validateTableField(QInstance qInstance, String tableName, String fieldName, QTableMetaData table, QFieldMetaData field)
    {
       assertCondition(Objects.equals(fieldName, field.getName()),
          "Inconsistent naming in table " + tableName + " for field " + fieldName + "/" + field.getName() + ".");
@@ -823,12 +886,32 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
 
       String prefix = "Field " + fieldName + " in table " + tableName + " ";
 
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // validate things we know about field behaviors //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
       ValueTooLongBehavior behavior = field.getBehaviorOrDefault(qInstance, ValueTooLongBehavior.class);
       if(behavior != null && !behavior.equals(ValueTooLongBehavior.PASS_THROUGH))
       {
          assertCondition(field.getMaxLength() != null, prefix + "specifies a ValueTooLongBehavior, but not a maxLength.");
       }
 
+      Set<Class<FieldBehavior<T>>> usedFieldBehaviorTypes = new HashSet<>();
+      if(field.getBehaviors() != null)
+      {
+         for(FieldBehavior<?> fieldBehavior : field.getBehaviors())
+         {
+            Class<FieldBehavior<T>> behaviorClass = (Class<FieldBehavior<T>>) fieldBehavior.getClass();
+
+            errors.addAll(fieldBehavior.validateBehaviorConfiguration(table, field));
+
+            if(!fieldBehavior.allowMultipleBehaviorsOfThisType())
+            {
+               assertCondition(!usedFieldBehaviorTypes.contains(behaviorClass), prefix + "has more than 1 fieldBehavior of type " + behaviorClass.getSimpleName() + ", which is not allowed for this type");
+            }
+            usedFieldBehaviorTypes.add(behaviorClass);
+         }
+      }
+
       if(field.getMaxLength() != null)
       {
          assertCondition(field.getMaxLength() > 0, prefix + "has an invalid maxLength (" + field.getMaxLength() + ") - must be greater than 0.");
@@ -1362,12 +1445,17 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
             ///////////////////////////////////
             // validate steps in the process //
             ///////////////////////////////////
+            Set<String> usedStepNames = new HashSet<>();
             if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(process.getStepList()), "At least 1 step must be defined in process " + processName + "."))
             {
                int index = 0;
                for(QStepMetaData step : process.getStepList())
                {
-                  assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(step.getName()), "Missing name for a step at index " + index + " in process " + processName);
+                  if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(step.getName()), "Missing name for a step at index " + index + " in process " + processName))
+                  {
+                     assertCondition(!usedStepNames.contains(step.getName()), "Duplicate step name [" + step.getName() + "] in process " + processName);
+                     usedStepNames.add(step.getName());
+                  }
                   index++;
 
                   ////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -1399,7 +1487,7 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                                  warn("Error loading expectedType for field [" + fieldMetaData.getName() + "] in process [" + processName + "]: " + e.getMessage());
                               }
 
-                              validateSimpleCodeReference("Process " + processName + " code reference: ", codeReference, expectedClass);
+                              validateSimpleCodeReference("Process " + processName + " code reference:", codeReference, expectedClass);
                            }
                         }
                      }
@@ -1407,6 +1495,14 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                }
             }
 
+            if(process.getCancelStep() != null)
+            {
+               if(assertCondition(process.getCancelStep().getCode() != null, "Cancel step is missing a code reference, in process " + processName))
+               {
+                  validateSimpleCodeReference("Process " + processName + " cancel step code reference: ", process.getCancelStep().getCode(), BackendStep.class);
+               }
+            }
+
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             // if the process has a schedule, make sure required schedule data populated //
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -1418,7 +1514,11 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
 
             if(process.getVariantBackend() != null)
             {
-               assertCondition(qInstance.getBackend(process.getVariantBackend()) != null, "Process " + processName + ", a variant backend was not found named " + process.getVariantBackend());
+               if(qInstance.getBackends() != null)
+               {
+                  assertCondition(qInstance.getBackend(process.getVariantBackend()) != null, "Process " + processName + ", a variant backend was not found named " + process.getVariantBackend());
+               }
+
                assertCondition(process.getVariantRunStrategy() != null, "A variant run strategy was not set for process " + processName + " (which does specify a variant backend)");
             }
             else
@@ -1444,7 +1544,7 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
    private void validateScheduleMetaData(QScheduleMetaData schedule, QInstance qInstance, String prefix)
    {
       boolean isRepeat = schedule.getRepeatMillis() != null || schedule.getRepeatSeconds() != null;
-      boolean isCron = StringUtils.hasContent(schedule.getCronExpression());
+      boolean isCron   = StringUtils.hasContent(schedule.getCronExpression());
       assertCondition(isRepeat || isCron, prefix + " either repeatMillis or repeatSeconds or cronExpression must be set");
       assertCondition(!(isRepeat && isCron), prefix + " both a repeat time and cronExpression may not be set");
 
@@ -1464,8 +1564,8 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
 
          if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(schedule.getCronTimeZoneId()), prefix + " a cron schedule must specify a cronTimeZoneId"))
          {
-            String[] availableIDs = TimeZone.getAvailableIDs();
-            Optional<String> first = Arrays.stream(availableIDs).filter(id -> id.equals(schedule.getCronTimeZoneId())).findFirst();
+            String[]         availableIDs = TimeZone.getAvailableIDs();
+            Optional<String> first        = Arrays.stream(availableIDs).filter(id -> id.equals(schedule.getCronTimeZoneId())).findFirst();
             assertCondition(first.isPresent(), prefix + " unrecognized cronTimeZoneId: " + schedule.getCronTimeZoneId());
          }
       }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/logging/LogPair.java

@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ public class LogPair
       }
       else if(value instanceof LogPair[] subLogPairs)
       {
-         String subLogPairsString = Arrays.stream(subLogPairs).map(LogPair::toString).collect(Collectors.joining(","));
+         String subLogPairsString = Arrays.stream(subLogPairs).filter(Objects::nonNull).map(LogPair::toString).collect(Collectors.joining(","));
          valueString = '{' + subLogPairsString + '}';
       }
       else if(value instanceof UnsafeSupplier<?, ?> us)

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/logging/QLogger.java

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging;
 
 
+import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.Collections;
@@ -147,6 +148,28 @@ public class QLogger
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public <T extends Throwable> T warnAndThrow(T t, LogPair... logPairs) throws T
+   {
+      warn(t.getMessage(), t, logPairs);
+      throw (t);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public <T extends Throwable> T errorAndThrow(T t, LogPair... logPairs) throws T
+   {
+      error(t.getMessage(), t, logPairs);
+      throw (t);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -595,7 +618,10 @@ public class QLogger
             {
                user = session.getUser().getIdReference();
             }
-            sessionLogPair = logPair("session", logPair("id", session.getUuid()), logPair("user", user));
+
+            LogPair variantsLogPair = getVariantsLogPair(session);
+
+            sessionLogPair = logPair("session", logPair("id", session.getUuid()), logPair("user", user), variantsLogPair);
          }
 
          try
@@ -615,6 +641,38 @@ public class QLogger
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static LogPair getVariantsLogPair(QSession session)
+   {
+      LogPair variantsLogPair = null;
+      try
+      {
+         if(session.getBackendVariants() != null)
+         {
+            LogPair[] variants = new LogPair[session.getBackendVariants().size()];
+
+            int i = 0;
+            for(Map.Entry<String, Serializable> entry : session.getBackendVariants().entrySet())
+            {
+               variants[i] = new LogPair(entry.getKey(), entry.getValue());
+            }
+
+            variantsLogPair = new LogPair("variants", variants);
+         }
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         ////////////////
+         // leave null //
+         ////////////////
+      }
+      return variantsLogPair;
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/

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

@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model;
 
 
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.MetaDataProducerOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.TopLevelMetaDataInterface;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.TopLevelMetaDataInterface;
  ** implement this interface.  or, same idea for a QRecordEntity that provides
  ** its own TableMetaData.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public interface MetaDataProducerInterface<T extends TopLevelMetaDataInterface>
+public interface MetaDataProducerInterface<T extends MetaDataProducerOutput>
 {
    int DEFAULT_SORT_ORDER = 500;
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/AbstractActionInput.java

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import java.util.UUID;
 import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonIgnore;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobCallback;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobStatus;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.NonPersistedAsyncJobCallback;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QInstanceValidationException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QInstanceValidator;
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@ public class AbstractActionInput
          ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // don't return null here (too easy to NPE).  instead, if someone wants one of these, create one and give it to them. //
          ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         asyncJobCallback = new AsyncJobCallback(UUID.randomUUID(), new AsyncJobStatus());
+         asyncJobCallback = new NonPersistedAsyncJobCallback(UUID.randomUUID(), new AsyncJobStatus().withJobName(getClass().getSimpleName()));
       }
       return asyncJobCallback;
    }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/Attachment.java

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class Attachment
+{
+   private byte[] contents;
+   private String name;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for contents
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public byte[] getContents()
+   {
+      return (this.contents);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for contents
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setContents(byte[] contents)
+   {
+      this.contents = contents;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for contents
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Attachment withContents(byte[] contents)
+   {
+      this.contents = contents;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for name
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getName()
+   {
+      return (this.name);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for name
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setName(String name)
+   {
+      this.name = name;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for name
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Attachment withName(String name)
+   {
+      this.name = name;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/Content.java

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class Content
+{
+   private String      body;
+   private ContentRole contentRole;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for body
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getBody()
+   {
+      return (this.body);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for body
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setBody(String body)
+   {
+      this.body = body;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for body
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Content withBody(String body)
+   {
+      this.body = body;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for contentRole
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ContentRole getContentRole()
+   {
+      return (this.contentRole);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for contentRole
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setContentRole(ContentRole contentRole)
+   {
+      this.contentRole = contentRole;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for contentRole
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Content withContentRole(ContentRole contentRole)
+   {
+      this.contentRole = contentRole;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/ContentRole.java

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public interface ContentRole
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   enum Default implements ContentRole
+   {
+      DEFAULT
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/MultiParty.java

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging;
+
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class MultiParty extends Party
+{
+   private List<Party> partyList;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for partyList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<Party> getPartyList()
+   {
+      return (this.partyList);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for partyList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setPartyList(List<Party> partyList)
+   {
+      this.partyList = partyList;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for partyList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public MultiParty withPartyList(List<Party> partyList)
+   {
+      this.partyList = partyList;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public MultiParty withParty(Party party)
+   {
+      addParty(party);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void addParty(Party party)
+   {
+      if(this.partyList == null)
+      {
+         this.partyList = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+      this.partyList.add(party);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/Party.java

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class Party
+{
+   private String    label;
+   private String    address;
+   private PartyRole role;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for label
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getLabel()
+   {
+      return (this.label);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for label
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setLabel(String label)
+   {
+      this.label = label;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for label
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Party withLabel(String label)
+   {
+      this.label = label;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for address
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getAddress()
+   {
+      return (this.address);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for address
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setAddress(String address)
+   {
+      this.address = address;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for address
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Party withAddress(String address)
+   {
+      this.address = address;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for role
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PartyRole getRole()
+   {
+      return (this.role);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for role
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setRole(PartyRole role)
+   {
+      this.role = role;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for role
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Party withRole(PartyRole role)
+   {
+      this.role = role;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/PartyRole.java

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public interface PartyRole
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   enum Default implements PartyRole
+   {
+      DEFAULT
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/SendMessageInput.java

@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging;
+
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class SendMessageInput extends AbstractActionInput
+{
+   private String           messagingProviderName;
+   private Party            to;
+   private Party            from;
+   private String           subject;
+   private List<Content>    contentList;
+   private List<Attachment> attachmentList;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for to
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Party getTo()
+   {
+      return (this.to);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for to
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setTo(Party to)
+   {
+      this.to = to;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for to
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public SendMessageInput withTo(Party to)
+   {
+      this.to = to;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for from
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Party getFrom()
+   {
+      return (this.from);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for from
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setFrom(Party from)
+   {
+      this.from = from;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for from
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public SendMessageInput withFrom(Party from)
+   {
+      this.from = from;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for subject
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getSubject()
+   {
+      return (this.subject);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for subject
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setSubject(String subject)
+   {
+      this.subject = subject;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for subject
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public SendMessageInput withSubject(String subject)
+   {
+      this.subject = subject;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for contentList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<Content> getContentList()
+   {
+      return (this.contentList);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for contentList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setContentList(List<Content> contentList)
+   {
+      this.contentList = contentList;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for contentList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public SendMessageInput withContentList(List<Content> contentList)
+   {
+      this.contentList = contentList;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for attachmentList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<Attachment> getAttachmentList()
+   {
+      return (this.attachmentList);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for attachmentList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setAttachmentList(List<Attachment> attachmentList)
+   {
+      this.attachmentList = attachmentList;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for attachmentList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public SendMessageInput withAttachmentList(List<Attachment> attachmentList)
+   {
+      this.attachmentList = attachmentList;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public SendMessageInput withContent(Content content)
+   {
+      addContent(content);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void addContent(Content content)
+   {
+      if(this.contentList == null)
+      {
+         this.contentList = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+      this.contentList.add(content);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public SendMessageInput withAttachment(Attachment attachment)
+   {
+      addAttachment(attachment);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void addAttachment(Attachment attachment)
+   {
+      if(this.attachmentList == null)
+      {
+         this.attachmentList = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+      this.attachmentList.add(attachment);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for messagingProviderName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getMessagingProviderName()
+   {
+      return (this.messagingProviderName);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for messagingProviderName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setMessagingProviderName(String messagingProviderName)
+   {
+      this.messagingProviderName = messagingProviderName;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for messagingProviderName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public SendMessageInput withMessagingProviderName(String messagingProviderName)
+   {
+      this.messagingProviderName = messagingProviderName;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/SendMessageOutput.java

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionOutput;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class SendMessageOutput extends AbstractActionOutput
+{
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/email/EmailContentRole.java

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging.email;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.messaging.ContentRole;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum EmailContentRole implements ContentRole
+{
+   TEXT,
+   HTML
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/messaging/email/EmailPartyRole.java

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.messaging.email;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.messaging.PartyRole;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum EmailPartyRole implements PartyRole
+{
+   TO,
+   CC,
+   BCC,
+   FROM,
+   REPLY_TO
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/processes/ProcessState.java

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFrontendStepMetaData;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -41,6 +42,11 @@ public class ProcessState implements Serializable
    private List<String>              stepList     = new ArrayList<>();
    private Optional<String>          nextStepName = Optional.empty();
 
+   /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // maybe, remove this altogether - just let the frontend compute & send if needed... but how does it know last version...? //
+   /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   private List<QFrontendStepMetaData> updatedFrontendStepList = null;
+
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
@@ -139,4 +145,36 @@ public class ProcessState implements Serializable
    {
       this.stepList = stepList;
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for updatedFrontendStepList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<QFrontendStepMetaData> getUpdatedFrontendStepList()
+   {
+      return (this.updatedFrontendStepList);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for updatedFrontendStepList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setUpdatedFrontendStepList(List<QFrontendStepMetaData> updatedFrontendStepList)
+   {
+      this.updatedFrontendStepList = updatedFrontendStepList;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for updatedFrontendStepList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ProcessState withUpdatedFrontendStepList(List<QFrontendStepMetaData> updatedFrontendStepList)
+   {
+      this.updatedFrontendStepList = updatedFrontendStepList;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/processes/RunBackendStepInput.java

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.UUID;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobCallback;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobStatus;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.NonPersistedAsyncJobCallback;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.processes.QProcessCallback;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
@@ -450,7 +451,7 @@ public class RunBackendStepInput extends AbstractActionInput
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // avoid NPE in case we didn't have one of these!  create a new one... //
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         asyncJobCallback = new AsyncJobCallback(UUID.randomUUID(), new AsyncJobStatus());
+         asyncJobCallback = new NonPersistedAsyncJobCallback(UUID.randomUUID(), new AsyncJobStatus().withJobName(processName + "." + stepName));
       }
       return (asyncJobCallback);
    }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/processes/RunBackendStepOutput.java

@@ -27,10 +27,14 @@ import java.math.BigDecimal;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QRuntimeException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.AuditInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.AuditSingleInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+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.ValueUtils;
 
 
@@ -40,9 +44,13 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class RunBackendStepOutput extends AbstractActionOutput implements Serializable
 {
+   private String processName;
+
    private ProcessState processState;
    private Exception    exception; // todo - make optional
 
+   private String overrideLastStepName; // todo - does this need to go into state too??
+
    private List<AuditInput> auditInputList = new ArrayList<>();
 
 
@@ -78,6 +86,7 @@ public class RunBackendStepOutput extends AbstractActionOutput implements Serial
    public void seedFromRequest(RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput)
    {
       this.processState = runBackendStepInput.getProcessState();
+      this.processName = runBackendStepInput.getProcessName();
    }
 
 
@@ -312,4 +321,111 @@ public class RunBackendStepOutput extends AbstractActionOutput implements Serial
       auditInput.addAuditSingleInput(auditSingleInput);
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for overrideLastStepName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getOverrideLastStepName()
+   {
+      return (this.overrideLastStepName);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for overrideLastStepName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setOverrideLastStepName(String overrideLastStepName)
+   {
+      this.overrideLastStepName = overrideLastStepName;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for overrideLastStepName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public RunBackendStepOutput withOverrideLastStepName(String overrideLastStepName)
+   {
+      this.overrideLastStepName = overrideLastStepName;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void updateStepList(List<String> stepList)
+   {
+      getProcessState().setStepList(stepList);
+
+      if(processName == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QRuntimeException("ProcessName was not set in this object, therefore updateStepList cannot complete successfully.  Try to manually call setProcessName as a work around."));
+      }
+
+      QProcessMetaData processMetaData = QContext.getQInstance().getProcess(processName);
+
+      ArrayList<QFrontendStepMetaData> updatedFrontendStepList = new ArrayList<>(stepList.stream()
+         .map(name -> processMetaData.getStep(name))
+         .filter(step -> step instanceof QFrontendStepMetaData)
+         .map(step -> (QFrontendStepMetaData) step)
+         .toList());
+
+      setUpdatedFrontendStepList(updatedFrontendStepList);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for processName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getProcessName()
+   {
+      return (this.processName);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for processName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setProcessName(String processName)
+   {
+      this.processName = processName;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for processName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public RunBackendStepOutput withProcessName(String processName)
+   {
+      this.processName = processName;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for updatedFrontendStepList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<QFrontendStepMetaData> getUpdatedFrontendStepList()
+   {
+      return (this.processState.getUpdatedFrontendStepList());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for updatedFrontendStepList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setUpdatedFrontendStepList(List<QFrontendStepMetaData> updatedFrontendStepList)
+   {
+      this.processState.setUpdatedFrontendStepList(updatedFrontendStepList);
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/processes/RunProcessOutput.java

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFrontendStepMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 
 
@@ -327,4 +328,25 @@ public class RunProcessOutput extends AbstractActionOutput implements Serializab
    {
       return exception;
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setUpdatedFrontendStepList(List<QFrontendStepMetaData> updatedFrontendStepList)
+   {
+      this.processState.setUpdatedFrontendStepList(updatedFrontendStepList);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<QFrontendStepMetaData> getUpdatedFrontendStepList()
+   {
+      return this.processState.getUpdatedFrontendStepList();
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/ExportInput.java

@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting;
 
 
-import java.io.OutputStream;
 import java.util.List;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
@@ -37,9 +36,8 @@ public class ExportInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
    private Integer      limit;
    private List<String> fieldNames;
 
-   private String       filename;
-   private ReportFormat reportFormat;
-   private OutputStream reportOutputStream;
+   private ReportDestination reportDestination;
+
    private String       titleRow;
    private boolean      includeHeaderRow = true;
 
@@ -120,71 +118,6 @@ public class ExportInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
 
 
 
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Getter for filename
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public String getFilename()
-   {
-      return filename;
-   }
-
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for filename
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setFilename(String filename)
-   {
-      this.filename = filename;
-   }
-
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Getter for reportFormat
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public ReportFormat getReportFormat()
-   {
-      return reportFormat;
-   }
-
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for reportFormat
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setReportFormat(ReportFormat reportFormat)
-   {
-      this.reportFormat = reportFormat;
-   }
-
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Getter for reportOutputStream
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public OutputStream getReportOutputStream()
-   {
-      return reportOutputStream;
-   }
-
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for reportOutputStream
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setReportOutputStream(OutputStream reportOutputStream)
-   {
-      this.reportOutputStream = reportOutputStream;
-   }
-
-
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
@@ -226,4 +159,36 @@ public class ExportInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
       this.includeHeaderRow = includeHeaderRow;
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for reportDestination
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ReportDestination getReportDestination()
+   {
+      return (this.reportDestination);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for reportDestination
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setReportDestination(ReportDestination reportDestination)
+   {
+      this.reportDestination = reportDestination;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for reportDestination
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ExportInput withReportDestination(ReportDestination reportDestination)
+   {
+      this.reportDestination = reportDestination;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/ReportDestination.java

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.reporting;
+
+
+import java.io.OutputStream;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Member of report & export Inputs, that wraps details about the destination of
+ ** where & how the report (or export) is being written.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class ReportDestination
+{
+   private String       filename;
+   private ReportFormat reportFormat;
+   private OutputStream reportOutputStream;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for filename
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getFilename()
+   {
+      return (this.filename);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for filename
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setFilename(String filename)
+   {
+      this.filename = filename;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for filename
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ReportDestination withFilename(String filename)
+   {
+      this.filename = filename;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for reportFormat
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ReportFormat getReportFormat()
+   {
+      return (this.reportFormat);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for reportFormat
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setReportFormat(ReportFormat reportFormat)
+   {
+      this.reportFormat = reportFormat;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for reportFormat
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ReportDestination withReportFormat(ReportFormat reportFormat)
+   {
+      this.reportFormat = reportFormat;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for reportOutputStream
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public OutputStream getReportOutputStream()
+   {
+      return (this.reportOutputStream);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for reportOutputStream
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setReportOutputStream(OutputStream reportOutputStream)
+   {
+      this.reportOutputStream = reportOutputStream;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for reportOutputStream
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ReportDestination withReportOutputStream(OutputStream reportOutputStream)
+   {
+      this.reportOutputStream = reportOutputStream;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/ReportFormat.java

@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting;
 import java.util.Locale;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.CsvExportStreamer;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.ExcelExportStreamer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.ExportStreamerInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.JsonExportStreamer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.ListOfMapsExportStreamer;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excel.poi.ExcelPoiBasedStreamingExportStreamer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QUserFacingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
-import org.dhatim.fastexcel.Worksheet;
+import org.apache.poi.ss.SpreadsheetVersion;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -39,15 +39,24 @@ import org.dhatim.fastexcel.Worksheet;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public enum ReportFormat
 {
-   XLSX(Worksheet.MAX_ROWS, Worksheet.MAX_COLS, ExcelExportStreamer::new, "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet"),
-   JSON(null, null, JsonExportStreamer::new, "application/json"),
-   CSV(null, null, CsvExportStreamer::new, "text/csv"),
-   LIST_OF_MAPS(null, null, ListOfMapsExportStreamer::new, null);
+   /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // if we need to fall back to Fastexcel, this was its version of this. //
+   /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // XLSX(Worksheet.MAX_ROWS, Worksheet.MAX_COLS, ExcelFastexcelExportStreamer::new, "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet", "xlsx", true, false, true),
+
+   XLSX(SpreadsheetVersion.EXCEL2007.getMaxRows(), SpreadsheetVersion.EXCEL2007.getMaxColumns(), ExcelPoiBasedStreamingExportStreamer::new, "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet", "xlsx", true, true, true),
+   JSON(null, null, JsonExportStreamer::new, "application/json", "json", false, false, true),
+   CSV(null, null, CsvExportStreamer::new, "text/csv", "csv", false, false, false),
+   LIST_OF_MAPS(null, null, ListOfMapsExportStreamer::new, null, null, false, false, true);
 
 
    private final Integer maxRows;
    private final Integer maxCols;
    private final String  mimeType;
+   private final String  extension;
+   private final boolean isBinary;
+   private final boolean supportsNativePivotTables;
+   private final boolean supportsMultipleViews;
 
    private final Supplier<? extends ExportStreamerInterface> streamerConstructor;
 
@@ -56,12 +65,16 @@ public enum ReportFormat
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   ReportFormat(Integer maxRows, Integer maxCols, Supplier<? extends ExportStreamerInterface> streamerConstructor, String mimeType)
+   ReportFormat(Integer maxRows, Integer maxCols, Supplier<? extends ExportStreamerInterface> streamerConstructor, String mimeType, String extension, boolean isBinary, boolean supportsNativePivotTables, boolean supportsMultipleViews)
    {
       this.maxRows = maxRows;
       this.maxCols = maxCols;
       this.mimeType = mimeType;
       this.streamerConstructor = streamerConstructor;
+      this.extension = extension;
+      this.isBinary = isBinary;
+      this.supportsNativePivotTables = supportsNativePivotTables;
+      this.supportsMultipleViews = supportsMultipleViews;
    }
 
 
@@ -128,4 +141,48 @@ public enum ReportFormat
    {
       return (streamerConstructor.get());
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for extension
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getExtension()
+   {
+      return extension;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for isBinary
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public boolean getIsBinary()
+   {
+      return isBinary;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for supportsNativePivotTables
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public boolean getSupportsNativePivotTables()
+   {
+      return supportsNativePivotTables;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for supportsMultipleViews
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public boolean getSupportsMultipleViews()
+   {
+      return supportsMultipleViews;
+   }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/ReportFormatPossibleValueEnum.java

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+ * 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.actions.reporting;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.PossibleValueEnum;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** sub-set of ReportFormats to expose as possible-values in-apps
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum ReportFormatPossibleValueEnum implements PossibleValueEnum<String>
+{
+   XLSX,
+   CSV,
+   JSON;
+
+   public static final String NAME = "reportFormat";
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public String getPossibleValueId()
+   {
+      return name();
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public String getPossibleValueLabel()
+   {
+      return name();
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/ReportInput.java

@@ -22,24 +22,28 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting;
 
 
-import java.io.OutputStream;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.function.Supplier;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.ExportStreamerInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportMetaData;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
- ** Input for an Export action
+ ** Input for a Report action
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class ReportInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
 {
-   private String                    reportName;
+   private String          reportName;
+   private QReportMetaData reportMetaData;
+
    private Map<String, Serializable> inputValues;
 
-   private String       filename;
-   private ReportFormat reportFormat;
-   private OutputStream reportOutputStream;
+   private ReportDestination reportDestination;
+
+   private Supplier<? extends ExportStreamerInterface> overrideExportStreamerSupplier;
 
 
 
@@ -111,66 +115,97 @@ public class ReportInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Getter for filename
-    **
+    ** Getter for reportDestination
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public String getFilename()
+   public ReportDestination getReportDestination()
    {
-      return filename;
+      return (this.reportDestination);
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for filename
-    **
+    ** Setter for reportDestination
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setFilename(String filename)
+   public void setReportDestination(ReportDestination reportDestination)
    {
-      this.filename = filename;
+      this.reportDestination = reportDestination;
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Getter for reportFormat
-    **
+    ** Fluent setter for reportDestination
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public ReportFormat getReportFormat()
+   public ReportInput withReportDestination(ReportDestination reportDestination)
    {
-      return reportFormat;
+      this.reportDestination = reportDestination;
+      return (this);
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for reportFormat
-    **
+    ** Getter for reportMetaData
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setReportFormat(ReportFormat reportFormat)
+   public QReportMetaData getReportMetaData()
    {
-      this.reportFormat = reportFormat;
+      return (this.reportMetaData);
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Getter for reportOutputStream
-    **
+    ** Setter for reportMetaData
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public OutputStream getReportOutputStream()
+   public void setReportMetaData(QReportMetaData reportMetaData)
    {
-      return reportOutputStream;
+      this.reportMetaData = reportMetaData;
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for reportOutputStream
+    ** Fluent setter for reportMetaData
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ReportInput withReportMetaData(QReportMetaData reportMetaData)
+   {
+      this.reportMetaData = reportMetaData;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for overrideExportStreamerSupplier
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setReportOutputStream(OutputStream reportOutputStream)
+   public Supplier<? extends ExportStreamerInterface> getOverrideExportStreamerSupplier()
    {
-      this.reportOutputStream = reportOutputStream;
+      return overrideExportStreamerSupplier;
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for overrideExportStreamerSupplier
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setOverrideExportStreamerSupplier(Supplier<? extends ExportStreamerInterface> overrideExportStreamerSupplier)
+   {
+      this.overrideExportStreamerSupplier = overrideExportStreamerSupplier;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for overrideExportStreamerSupplier
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ReportInput withOverrideExportStreamerSupplier(Supplier<? extends ExportStreamerInterface> overrideExportStreamerSupplier)
+   {
+      this.overrideExportStreamerSupplier = overrideExportStreamerSupplier;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/ReportOutput.java

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+/*
+ * 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.actions.reporting;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionOutput;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Output for a Report action
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class ReportOutput extends AbstractActionOutput implements Serializable
+{
+   private Integer totalRecordCount;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for totalRecordCount
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Integer getTotalRecordCount()
+   {
+      return (this.totalRecordCount);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for totalRecordCount
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setTotalRecordCount(Integer totalRecordCount)
+   {
+      this.totalRecordCount = totalRecordCount;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for totalRecordCount
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public ReportOutput withTotalRecordCount(Integer totalRecordCount)
+   {
+      this.totalRecordCount = totalRecordCount;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/pivottable/PivotTableDefinition.java

@@ -0,0 +1,217 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.reporting.pivottable;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Full definition of a pivot table - its rows, columns, and values.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class PivotTableDefinition implements Cloneable, Serializable
+{
+   private List<PivotTableGroupBy> rows;
+   private List<PivotTableGroupBy> columns;
+   private List<PivotTableValue>   values;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   protected PivotTableDefinition clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException
+   {
+      PivotTableDefinition clone = (PivotTableDefinition) super.clone();
+
+      if(rows != null)
+      {
+         clone.rows = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(PivotTableGroupBy row : rows)
+         {
+            clone.rows.add(row.clone());
+         }
+      }
+
+      if(columns != null)
+      {
+         clone.columns = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(PivotTableGroupBy column : columns)
+         {
+            clone.columns.add(column.clone());
+         }
+      }
+
+      if(values != null)
+      {
+         clone.values = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(PivotTableValue value : values)
+         {
+            clone.values.add(value.clone());
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (clone);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableDefinition withRow(PivotTableGroupBy row)
+   {
+      if(this.rows == null)
+      {
+         this.rows = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+      this.rows.add(row);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableDefinition withColumn(PivotTableGroupBy column)
+   {
+      if(this.columns == null)
+      {
+         this.columns = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+      this.columns.add(column);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableDefinition withValue(PivotTableValue value)
+   {
+      if(this.values == null)
+      {
+         this.values = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+      this.values.add(value);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for rows
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<PivotTableGroupBy> getRows()
+   {
+      return (this.rows);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for rows
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setRows(List<PivotTableGroupBy> rows)
+   {
+      this.rows = rows;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for rows
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableDefinition withRows(List<PivotTableGroupBy> rows)
+   {
+      this.rows = rows;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for columns
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<PivotTableGroupBy> getColumns()
+   {
+      return (this.columns);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for columns
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setColumns(List<PivotTableGroupBy> columns)
+   {
+      this.columns = columns;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for columns
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableDefinition withColumns(List<PivotTableGroupBy> columns)
+   {
+      this.columns = columns;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for values
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<PivotTableValue> getValues()
+   {
+      return (this.values);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for values
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setValues(List<PivotTableValue> values)
+   {
+      this.values = values;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for values
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableDefinition withValues(List<PivotTableValue> values)
+   {
+      this.values = values;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/pivottable/PivotTableFunction.java

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.reporting.pivottable;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Functions that can be applied to Values in a pivot table.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum PivotTableFunction
+{
+   AVERAGE("Average"),
+   COUNT("Count Values (COUNTA)"),
+   COUNT_NUMS("Count Numbers (COUNT)"),
+   MAX("Max"),
+   MIN("Min"),
+   PRODUCT("Product"),
+   STD_DEV("StdDev"),
+   STD_DEVP("StdDevp"),
+   SUM("Sum"),
+   VAR("Var"),
+   VARP("Varp");
+
+
+   private final String label;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   PivotTableFunction(String label)
+   {
+      this.label = label;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for label
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getLabel()
+   {
+      return label;
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/pivottable/PivotTableGroupBy.java

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.reporting.pivottable;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Either a row or column grouping in a pivot table.  e.g., a field plus
+ ** sorting details, plus showTotals boolean.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class PivotTableGroupBy implements Cloneable, Serializable
+{
+   private String            fieldName;
+   private PivotTableOrderBy orderBy;
+   private boolean           showTotals;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for fieldName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getFieldName()
+   {
+      return (this.fieldName);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for fieldName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setFieldName(String fieldName)
+   {
+      this.fieldName = fieldName;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for fieldName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableGroupBy withFieldName(String fieldName)
+   {
+      this.fieldName = fieldName;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for orderBy
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableOrderBy getOrderBy()
+   {
+      return (this.orderBy);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for orderBy
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setOrderBy(PivotTableOrderBy orderBy)
+   {
+      this.orderBy = orderBy;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for orderBy
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableGroupBy withOrderBy(PivotTableOrderBy orderBy)
+   {
+      this.orderBy = orderBy;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for showTotals
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public boolean getShowTotals()
+   {
+      return (this.showTotals);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for showTotals
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setShowTotals(boolean showTotals)
+   {
+      this.showTotals = showTotals;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for showTotals
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableGroupBy withShowTotals(boolean showTotals)
+   {
+      this.showTotals = showTotals;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public PivotTableGroupBy clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException
+   {
+      PivotTableGroupBy clone = (PivotTableGroupBy) super.clone();
+      return clone;
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/pivottable/PivotTableOrderBy.java

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.reporting.pivottable;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** How a group-by (rows or columns) should be sorted.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class PivotTableOrderBy implements Serializable
+{
+   // todo - implement, but only if POI supports (or we build our own support...)
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/reporting/pivottable/PivotTableValue.java

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2024.  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.actions.reporting.pivottable;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** a value (e.g., field name + function) used in a pivot table
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class PivotTableValue implements Cloneable, Serializable
+{
+   private String             fieldName;
+   private PivotTableFunction function;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for fieldName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getFieldName()
+   {
+      return (this.fieldName);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for fieldName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setFieldName(String fieldName)
+   {
+      this.fieldName = fieldName;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for fieldName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableValue withFieldName(String fieldName)
+   {
+      this.fieldName = fieldName;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for function
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableFunction getFunction()
+   {
+      return (this.function);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for function
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setFunction(PivotTableFunction function)
+   {
+      this.function = function;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for function
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public PivotTableValue withFunction(PivotTableFunction function)
+   {
+      this.function = function;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public PivotTableValue clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException
+   {
+      PivotTableValue clone = (PivotTableValue) super.clone();
+      return clone;
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/delete/DeleteInput.java

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete;
 
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
@@ -139,6 +140,24 @@ public class DeleteInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluently add 1 primary key to the delete input
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public DeleteInput withPrimaryKey(Serializable primaryKey)
+   {
+      if(primaryKeys == null)
+      {
+         primaryKeys = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+
+      primaryKeys.add(primaryKey);
+
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Setter for ids
     **

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/insert/InsertInput.java

@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public class InsertInput extends AbstractTableActionInput
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public InsertInput withRecordEntities(List<QRecordEntity> recordEntityList)
+   public InsertInput withRecordEntities(List<? extends QRecordEntity> recordEntityList)
    {
       for(QRecordEntity recordEntity : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(recordEntityList))
       {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/JoinsContext.java

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query;
 
 
+import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
@@ -37,12 +38,18 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogPair;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 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.joins.QJoinMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.MultiRecordSecurityLock;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.NullValueBehaviorUtil;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.QSecurityKeyType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLock;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLockFilters;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.ExposedJoin;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.collections.MutableList;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Level;
 import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
@@ -60,11 +67,23 @@ public class JoinsContext
    private final String          mainTableName;
    private final List<QueryJoin> queryJoins;
 
+   private final QQueryFilter securityFilter;
+
+   ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // pointer either at securityFilter, or at a sub-filter within it, for when we're doing a recursive build-out of multi-locks //
+   ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   private QQueryFilter securityFilterCursor;
+
    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // note - will have entries for all tables, not just aliases. //
    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    private final Map<String, String> aliasToTableNameMap = new HashMap<>();
-   private       Level               logLevel            = Level.OFF;
+
+   /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // we will get a TON of more output if this gets turned up, so be cautious //
+   /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   private Level logLevel = Level.OFF;
+   private Level logLevelForFilter = Level.OFF;
 
 
 
@@ -74,54 +93,225 @@ public class JoinsContext
     *******************************************************************************/
    public JoinsContext(QInstance instance, String tableName, List<QueryJoin> queryJoins, QQueryFilter filter) throws QException
    {
-      log("--- START ----------------------------------------------------------------------", logPair("mainTable", tableName));
       this.instance = instance;
       this.mainTableName = tableName;
       this.queryJoins = new MutableList<>(queryJoins);
+      this.securityFilter = new QQueryFilter();
+      this.securityFilterCursor = this.securityFilter;
+
+      // log("--- START ----------------------------------------------------------------------", logPair("mainTable", tableName));
+      dumpDebug(true, false);
 
       for(QueryJoin queryJoin : this.queryJoins)
       {
-         log("Processing input query join", logPair("joinTable", queryJoin.getJoinTable()), logPair("alias", queryJoin.getAlias()), logPair("baseTableOrAlias", queryJoin.getBaseTableOrAlias()), logPair("joinMetaDataName", () -> queryJoin.getJoinMetaData().getName()));
          processQueryJoin(queryJoin);
       }
 
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // make sure that all tables specified in filter columns are being brought into the query as joins //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      ensureFilterIsRepresented(filter);
+      logFilter("After ensureFilterIsRepresented:", securityFilter);
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // ensure that any record locks on the main table, which require a join, are present //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      MultiRecordSecurityLock multiRecordSecurityLock = RecordSecurityLockFilters.filterForReadLockTree(CollectionUtils.nonNullList(instance.getTable(tableName).getRecordSecurityLocks()));
+      for(RecordSecurityLock lock : multiRecordSecurityLock.getLocks())
+      {
+         ensureRecordSecurityLockIsRepresented(tableName, tableName, lock, null);
+         logFilter("After ensureRecordSecurityLockIsRepresented[fieldName=" + lock.getFieldName() + "]:", securityFilter);
+      }
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // make sure that all joins in the query have meta data specified                //
+      // e.g., a user-added join may just specify the join-table                       //
+      // or a join implicitly added from a filter may also not have its join meta data //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      fillInMissingJoinMetaData();
+      logFilter("After fillInMissingJoinMetaData:", securityFilter);
+
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // ensure any joins that contribute a recordLock are present //
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : RecordSecurityLockFilters.filterForReadLocks(CollectionUtils.nonNullList(instance.getTable(tableName).getRecordSecurityLocks())))
-      {
-         ensureRecordSecurityLockIsRepresented(instance, tableName, recordSecurityLock);
-      }
+      ensureAllJoinRecordSecurityLocksAreRepresented(instance);
+      logFilter("After ensureAllJoinRecordSecurityLocksAreRepresented:", securityFilter);
 
-      ensureFilterIsRepresented(filter);
-
-      addJoinsFromExposedJoinPaths();
-
-      /* todo!!
-      for(QueryJoin queryJoin : queryJoins)
-      {
-         QTableMetaData joinTable = instance.getTable(queryJoin.getJoinTable());
-         for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(joinTable.getRecordSecurityLocks()))
-         {
-            // addCriteriaForRecordSecurityLock(instance, session, joinTable, securityCriteria, recordSecurityLock, joinsContext, queryJoin.getJoinTableOrItsAlias());
-         }
-      }
-      */
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if there were any security filters built, then put those into the input filter //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      addSecurityFiltersToInputFilter(filter);
 
       log("Constructed JoinsContext", logPair("mainTableName", this.mainTableName), logPair("queryJoins", this.queryJoins.stream().map(qj -> qj.getJoinTable()).collect(Collectors.joining(","))));
-      log("--- END ------------------------------------------------------------------------");
+      log("", logPair("securityFilter", securityFilter));
+      log("", logPair("fullFilter", filter));
+      dumpDebug(false, true);
+      // log("--- END ------------------------------------------------------------------------");
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    **
+    ** Update the input filter with any security filters that were built.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void ensureRecordSecurityLockIsRepresented(QInstance instance, String tableName, RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock) throws QException
+   private void addSecurityFiltersToInputFilter(QQueryFilter filter)
    {
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if there's no security filter criteria (including sub-filters), return w/ noop //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(securityFilter.getSubFilters()))
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if the input filter is an OR we need to replace it with a new AND //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(filter.getBooleanOperator().equals(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR))
+      {
+         List<QFilterCriteria> originalCriteria   = filter.getCriteria();
+         List<QQueryFilter>    originalSubFilters = filter.getSubFilters();
+
+         QQueryFilter replacementFilter = new QQueryFilter().withBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
+         replacementFilter.setCriteria(originalCriteria);
+         replacementFilter.setSubFilters(originalSubFilters);
+
+         filter.setCriteria(new ArrayList<>());
+         filter.setSubFilters(new ArrayList<>());
+         filter.setBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.AND);
+         filter.addSubFilter(replacementFilter);
+      }
+
+      filter.addSubFilter(securityFilter);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** In case we've added any joins to the query that have security locks which
+    ** weren't previously added to the query, add them now.  basically, this is
+    ** calling ensureRecordSecurityLockIsRepresented for each queryJoin.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void ensureAllJoinRecordSecurityLocksAreRepresented(QInstance instance) throws QException
+   {
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // avoid concurrent modification exceptions by doing a double-loop and breaking the inner any time anything gets added //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      Set<QueryJoin> processedQueryJoins   = new HashSet<>();
+      boolean        addedAnyThisIteration = true;
+      while(addedAnyThisIteration)
+      {
+         addedAnyThisIteration = false;
+
+         for(QueryJoin queryJoin : this.queryJoins)
+         {
+            boolean addedAnyForThisJoin = false;
+
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // avoid double-processing the same query join                                                                                            //
+            // or adding security filters for a join who was only added to the query so that we could add locks (an ImplicitQueryJoinForSecurityLock) //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(processedQueryJoins.contains(queryJoin) || queryJoin instanceof ImplicitQueryJoinForSecurityLock)
+            {
+               continue;
+            }
+            processedQueryJoins.add(queryJoin);
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // process all locks on this join's join-table.  keep track if any new joins were added //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QTableMetaData joinTable = instance.getTable(queryJoin.getJoinTable());
+
+            MultiRecordSecurityLock multiRecordSecurityLock = RecordSecurityLockFilters.filterForReadLockTree(CollectionUtils.nonNullList(joinTable.getRecordSecurityLocks()));
+            for(RecordSecurityLock lock : multiRecordSecurityLock.getLocks())
+            {
+               List<QueryJoin> addedQueryJoins = ensureRecordSecurityLockIsRepresented(joinTable.getName(), queryJoin.getJoinTableOrItsAlias(), lock, queryJoin);
+
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if any joins were added by this call, add them to the set of processed ones, so they don't get re-processed. //
+               // also mark the flag that any were added for this join, to manage the double-looping                           //
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(addedQueryJoins))
+               {
+                  //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  // make all new joins added in that method be of the same type (inner/left/etc) as the query join they are connected to //
+                  //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  for(QueryJoin addedQueryJoin : addedQueryJoins)
+                  {
+                     addedQueryJoin.setType(queryJoin.getType());
+                  }
+
+                  processedQueryJoins.addAll(addedQueryJoins);
+                  addedAnyForThisJoin = true;
+               }
+            }
+
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if any new joins were added, we need to break the inner-loop, and continue the outer loop //
+            // e.g., to process the next query join (but we can't just go back to the foreach queryJoin, //
+            // because it would fail with concurrent modification)                                       //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(addedAnyForThisJoin)
+            {
+               addedAnyThisIteration = true;
+               break;
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** For a given recordSecurityLock on a given table (with a possible alias),
+    ** make sure that if any joins are needed to get to the lock, that they are in the query.
+    **
+    ** returns the list of query joins that were added, if any were added
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private List<QueryJoin> ensureRecordSecurityLockIsRepresented(String tableName, String tableNameOrAlias, RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock, QueryJoin sourceQueryJoin) throws QException
+   {
+      List<QueryJoin> addedQueryJoins = new ArrayList<>();
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if this lock is a multi-lock, then recursively process its child-locks //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(recordSecurityLock instanceof MultiRecordSecurityLock multiRecordSecurityLock)
+      {
+         log("Processing MultiRecordSecurityLock...");
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // make a new level in the filter-tree - storing old cursor, and updating cursor to point at new level //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         QQueryFilter oldSecurityFilterCursor = this.securityFilterCursor;
+         QQueryFilter nextLevelSecurityFilter = new QQueryFilter();
+         this.securityFilterCursor.addSubFilter(nextLevelSecurityFilter);
+         this.securityFilterCursor = nextLevelSecurityFilter;
+
+         ///////////////////////////////////////
+         // set the boolean operator to match //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////
+         nextLevelSecurityFilter.setBooleanOperator(multiRecordSecurityLock.getOperator().toFilterOperator());
+
+         //////////////////////
+         // process children //
+         //////////////////////
+         for(RecordSecurityLock childLock : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(multiRecordSecurityLock.getLocks()))
+         {
+            log(" - Recursive call for childLock: " + childLock);
+            addedQueryJoins.addAll(ensureRecordSecurityLockIsRepresented(tableName, tableNameOrAlias, childLock, sourceQueryJoin));
+         }
+
+         ////////////////////
+         // restore cursor //
+         ////////////////////
+         this.securityFilterCursor = oldSecurityFilterCursor;
+
+         return addedQueryJoins;
+      }
+
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      // ok - so - the join name chain is going to be like this:                                       //
-      // for a table:  orderLineItemExtrinsic (that's 2 away from order, where the security field is): //
+      // A join name chain is going to look like this:                                                 //
+      // for a table:  orderLineItemExtrinsic (that's 2 away from order, where its security field is): //
       // - securityFieldName = order.clientId                                                          //
       // - joinNameChain = orderJoinOrderLineItem, orderLineItemJoinOrderLineItemExtrinsic             //
       // so - to navigate from the table to the security field, we need to reverse the joinNameChain,  //
@@ -129,30 +319,30 @@ public class JoinsContext
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       ArrayList<String> joinNameChain = new ArrayList<>(CollectionUtils.nonNullList(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()));
       Collections.reverse(joinNameChain);
-      log("Evaluating recordSecurityLock", logPair("recordSecurityLock", recordSecurityLock.getFieldName()), logPair("joinNameChain", joinNameChain));
+      log("Evaluating recordSecurityLock.  Join name chain is of length: " + joinNameChain.size(), logPair("tableNameOrAlias", tableNameOrAlias), logPair("recordSecurityLock", recordSecurityLock.getFieldName()), logPair("joinNameChain", joinNameChain));
 
-      QTableMetaData tmpTable = instance.getTable(mainTableName);
+      QTableMetaData tmpTable                = instance.getTable(tableName);
+      String         securityFieldTableAlias = tableNameOrAlias;
+      String         baseTableOrAlias        = tableNameOrAlias;
+
+      boolean chainIsInner = true;
+      if(sourceQueryJoin != null && QueryJoin.Type.isOuter(sourceQueryJoin.getType()))
+      {
+         chainIsInner = false;
+      }
 
       for(String joinName : joinNameChain)
       {
-         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // check the joins currently in the query - if any are for this table, then we don't need to add one //
-         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         List<QueryJoin> matchingJoins = this.queryJoins.stream().filter(queryJoin ->
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // check the joins currently in the query - if any are THIS join, then we don't need to add one //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         List<QueryJoin> matchingQueryJoins = this.queryJoins.stream().filter(queryJoin ->
          {
-            QJoinMetaData joinMetaData = null;
-            if(queryJoin.getJoinMetaData() != null)
-            {
-               joinMetaData = queryJoin.getJoinMetaData();
-            }
-            else
-            {
-               joinMetaData = findJoinMetaData(instance, tableName, queryJoin.getJoinTable());
-            }
+            QJoinMetaData joinMetaData = queryJoin.getJoinMetaData();
             return (joinMetaData != null && Objects.equals(joinMetaData.getName(), joinName));
          }).toList();
 
-         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(matchingJoins))
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(matchingQueryJoins))
          {
             /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             // note - if a user added a join as an outer type, we need to change it to be inner, for the security purpose. //
@@ -160,11 +350,40 @@ public class JoinsContext
             /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             log("- skipping join already in the query", logPair("joinName", joinName));
 
-            if(matchingJoins.get(0).getType().equals(QueryJoin.Type.LEFT) || matchingJoins.get(0).getType().equals(QueryJoin.Type.RIGHT))
+            QueryJoin matchedQueryJoin = matchingQueryJoins.get(0);
+
+            if(matchedQueryJoin.getType().equals(QueryJoin.Type.LEFT) || matchedQueryJoin.getType().equals(QueryJoin.Type.RIGHT))
+            {
+               chainIsInner = false;
+            }
+
+            /* ?? todo ??
+            if(matchedQueryJoin.getType().equals(QueryJoin.Type.LEFT) || matchedQueryJoin.getType().equals(QueryJoin.Type.RIGHT))
             {
                log("- - although... it was here as an outer - so switching it to INNER", logPair("joinName", joinName));
-               matchingJoins.get(0).setType(QueryJoin.Type.INNER);
+               matchedQueryJoin.setType(QueryJoin.Type.INNER);
             }
+            */
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // as we're walking from tmpTable to the table which ultimately has the security key field,         //
+            // if the queryJoin we just found is joining out to tmpTable, then we need to advance tmpTable back //
+            // to the queryJoin's base table - else, tmpTable advances to the matched queryJoin's joinTable     //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(tmpTable.getName().equals(matchedQueryJoin.getJoinTable()))
+            {
+               securityFieldTableAlias = Objects.requireNonNullElse(matchedQueryJoin.getBaseTableOrAlias(), mainTableName);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               securityFieldTableAlias = matchedQueryJoin.getJoinTableOrItsAlias();
+            }
+            tmpTable = instance.getTable(securityFieldTableAlias);
+
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // set the baseTableOrAlias for the next iteration to be this join's joinTableOrAlias //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            baseTableOrAlias = securityFieldTableAlias;
 
             continue;
          }
@@ -172,20 +391,233 @@ public class JoinsContext
          QJoinMetaData join = instance.getJoin(joinName);
          if(join.getLeftTable().equals(tmpTable.getName()))
          {
-            QueryJoin queryJoin = new ImplicitQueryJoinForSecurityLock().withJoinMetaData(join).withType(QueryJoin.Type.INNER);
-            this.addQueryJoin(queryJoin, "forRecordSecurityLock (non-flipped)");
+            securityFieldTableAlias = join.getRightTable() + "_forSecurityJoin_" + join.getName();
+            QueryJoin queryJoin = new ImplicitQueryJoinForSecurityLock()
+               .withJoinMetaData(join)
+               .withType(chainIsInner ? QueryJoin.Type.INNER : QueryJoin.Type.LEFT)
+               .withBaseTableOrAlias(baseTableOrAlias)
+               .withAlias(securityFieldTableAlias);
+
+            if(securityFilterCursor.getBooleanOperator() == QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR)
+            {
+               queryJoin.withType(QueryJoin.Type.LEFT);
+               chainIsInner = false;
+            }
+
+            addQueryJoin(queryJoin, "forRecordSecurityLock (non-flipped)", "- ");
+            addedQueryJoins.add(queryJoin);
             tmpTable = instance.getTable(join.getRightTable());
          }
          else if(join.getRightTable().equals(tmpTable.getName()))
          {
-            QueryJoin queryJoin = new ImplicitQueryJoinForSecurityLock().withJoinMetaData(join.flip()).withType(QueryJoin.Type.INNER);
-            this.addQueryJoin(queryJoin, "forRecordSecurityLock (flipped)");
+            securityFieldTableAlias = join.getLeftTable() + "_forSecurityJoin_" + join.getName();
+            QueryJoin queryJoin = new ImplicitQueryJoinForSecurityLock()
+               .withJoinMetaData(join.flip())
+               .withType(chainIsInner ? QueryJoin.Type.INNER : QueryJoin.Type.LEFT)
+               .withBaseTableOrAlias(baseTableOrAlias)
+               .withAlias(securityFieldTableAlias);
+
+            if(securityFilterCursor.getBooleanOperator() == QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR)
+            {
+               queryJoin.withType(QueryJoin.Type.LEFT);
+               chainIsInner = false;
+            }
+
+            addQueryJoin(queryJoin, "forRecordSecurityLock (flipped)", "- ");
+            addedQueryJoins.add(queryJoin);
             tmpTable = instance.getTable(join.getLeftTable());
          }
          else
          {
+            dumpDebug(false, true);
             throw (new QException("Error adding security lock joins to query - table name [" + tmpTable.getName() + "] not found in join [" + joinName + "]"));
          }
+
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // for the next iteration of the loop, set the next join's baseTableOrAlias to be the alias we just created //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         baseTableOrAlias = securityFieldTableAlias;
+      }
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // now that we know the joins/tables are in the query, add to the security filter //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      QueryJoin lastAddedQueryJoin = addedQueryJoins.isEmpty() ? null : addedQueryJoins.get(addedQueryJoins.size() - 1);
+      if(sourceQueryJoin != null && lastAddedQueryJoin == null)
+      {
+         lastAddedQueryJoin = sourceQueryJoin;
+      }
+      addSubFilterForRecordSecurityLock(recordSecurityLock, tmpTable, securityFieldTableAlias, !chainIsInner, lastAddedQueryJoin);
+
+      log("Finished evaluating recordSecurityLock");
+
+      return (addedQueryJoins);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void addSubFilterForRecordSecurityLock(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock, QTableMetaData table, String tableNameOrAlias, boolean isOuter, QueryJoin sourceQueryJoin)
+   {
+      QSession session = QContext.getQSession();
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // check if the key type has an all-access key, and if so, if it's set to true for the current user/session //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      QSecurityKeyType securityKeyType = instance.getSecurityKeyType(recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType());
+      boolean haveAllAccessKey = false;
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName()))
+      {
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if we have all-access on this key, then we don't need a criterion for it (as long as we're in an AND filter) //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(session.hasSecurityKeyValue(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName(), true, QFieldType.BOOLEAN))
+         {
+            haveAllAccessKey = true;
+
+            if(sourceQueryJoin != null)
+            {
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // in case the queryJoin object is re-used between queries, and its security criteria need to be different (!!), reset it //
+               // this can be exposed in tests - maybe not entirely expected in real-world, but seems safe enough                        //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               sourceQueryJoin.withSecurityCriteria(new ArrayList<>());
+            }
+
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if we're in an AND filter, then we don't need a criteria for this lock, so return. //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            boolean inAnAndFilter = securityFilterCursor.getBooleanOperator() == QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.AND;
+            if(inAnAndFilter)
+            {
+               return;
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // for locks w/o a join chain, the lock fieldName will simply be a field on the table. //
+      // so just prepend that with the tableNameOrAlias.                                     //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      String fieldName = tableNameOrAlias + "." + recordSecurityLock.getFieldName();
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()))
+      {
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // else, expect a "table.field" in the lock fieldName - but we want to replace //
+         // the table name part with a possible alias that we took in.                  //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         String[] parts = recordSecurityLock.getFieldName().split("\\.");
+         if(parts.length != 2)
+         {
+            dumpDebug(false, true);
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Mal-formatted recordSecurityLock fieldName for lock with joinNameChain in query: " + fieldName);
+         }
+         fieldName = tableNameOrAlias + "." + parts[1];
+      }
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // else - get the key values from the session and decide what kind of criterion to build //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      QQueryFilter          lockFilter   = new QQueryFilter();
+      List<QFilterCriteria> lockCriteria = new ArrayList<>();
+      lockFilter.setCriteria(lockCriteria);
+
+      QFieldType type = QFieldType.INTEGER;
+      try
+      {
+         JoinsContext.FieldAndTableNameOrAlias fieldAndTableNameOrAlias = getFieldAndTableNameOrAlias(fieldName);
+         type = fieldAndTableNameOrAlias.field().getType();
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.debug("Error getting field type...  Trying Integer", e);
+      }
+
+      if(haveAllAccessKey)
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if we have an all access key (but we got here because we're part of an OR query), then //
+         // write a criterion that will always be true - e.g., field=field                         //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         lockCriteria.add(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.TRUE));
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         List<Serializable> securityKeyValues = session.getSecurityKeyValues(recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType(), type);
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(securityKeyValues))
+         {
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // handle user with no values -- they can only see null values, and only iff the lock's null-value behavior is ALLOW //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(RecordSecurityLock.NullValueBehavior.ALLOW.equals(NullValueBehaviorUtil.getEffectiveNullValueBehavior(recordSecurityLock)))
+            {
+               lockCriteria.add(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.IS_BLANK));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // else, if no user/session values, and null-value behavior is deny, then setup a FALSE condition, to allow no rows.         //
+               // todo - maybe avoid running the whole query - as you're not allowed ANY records (based on boolean tree down to this point) //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               lockCriteria.add(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.FALSE));
+            }
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // else, if user/session has some values, build an IN rule -                                                //
+            // noting that if the lock's null-value behavior is ALLOW, then we actually want IS_NULL_OR_IN, not just IN //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(RecordSecurityLock.NullValueBehavior.ALLOW.equals(NullValueBehaviorUtil.getEffectiveNullValueBehavior(recordSecurityLock)))
+            {
+               lockCriteria.add(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.IS_NULL_OR_IN, securityKeyValues));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               lockCriteria.add(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.IN, securityKeyValues));
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if there's a sourceQueryJoin, then set the lockCriteria on that join - so it gets written into the JOIN ... ON clause //
+      // ... unless we're writing an OR filter.  then we need the condition in the WHERE clause                                //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      boolean doNotPutCriteriaInJoinOn = securityFilterCursor.getBooleanOperator() == QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR;
+      if(sourceQueryJoin != null && !doNotPutCriteriaInJoinOn)
+      {
+         sourceQueryJoin.withSecurityCriteria(lockCriteria);
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // we used to add an OR IS NULL for cases of an outer-join - but instead, this is now handled by putting the lockCriteria //
+         // into the join (see above) - so this check is probably deprecated.                                                      //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         /*
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if this field is on the outer side of an outer join, then if we do a straight filter on it, then we're basically      //
+            // nullifying the outer join... so for an outer join use-case, OR the security field criteria with a primary-key IS NULL //
+            // which will make missing rows from the join be found.                                                                  //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(isOuter)
+            {
+               if(table == null)
+               {
+                  table = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(aliasToTableNameMap.get(tableNameOrAlias));
+               }
+
+               lockFilter.setBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
+               lockFilter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(tableNameOrAlias + "." + table.getPrimaryKeyField(), QCriteriaOperator.IS_BLANK));
+            }
+         */
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // If this filter isn't for a queryJoin, then just add it to the main list of security sub-filters //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         this.securityFilterCursor.addSubFilter(lockFilter);
       }
    }
 
@@ -197,9 +629,9 @@ public class JoinsContext
     ** use this method to add to the list, instead of ever adding directly, as it's
     ** important do to that process step (and we've had bugs when it wasn't done).
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void addQueryJoin(QueryJoin queryJoin, String reason) throws QException
+   private void addQueryJoin(QueryJoin queryJoin, String reason, String logPrefix) throws QException
    {
-      log("Adding query join to context",
+      log(Objects.requireNonNullElse(logPrefix, "") + "Adding query join to context",
          logPair("reason", reason),
          logPair("joinTable", queryJoin.getJoinTable()),
          logPair("joinMetaData.name", () -> queryJoin.getJoinMetaData().getName()),
@@ -208,34 +640,46 @@ public class JoinsContext
       );
       this.queryJoins.add(queryJoin);
       processQueryJoin(queryJoin);
+      dumpDebug(false, false);
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** If there are any joins in the context that don't have a join meta data, see
-    ** if we can find the JoinMetaData to use for them by looking at the main table's
-    ** exposed joins, and using their join paths.
+    ** if we can find the JoinMetaData to use for them by looking at all joins in the
+    ** instance, or at the main table's exposed joins, and using their join paths.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void addJoinsFromExposedJoinPaths() throws QException
+   private void fillInMissingJoinMetaData() throws QException
    {
+      log("Begin adding missing join meta data");
+
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // do a double-loop, to avoid concurrent modification on the queryJoins list. //
       // that is to say, we'll loop over that list, but possibly add things to it,  //
       // in which case we'll set this flag, and break the inner loop, to go again.  //
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      boolean addedJoin;
+      Set<QueryJoin> processedQueryJoins = new HashSet<>();
+      boolean        addedJoin;
       do
       {
          addedJoin = false;
          for(QueryJoin queryJoin : queryJoins)
          {
+            if(processedQueryJoins.contains(queryJoin))
+            {
+               continue;
+            }
+            processedQueryJoins.add(queryJoin);
+
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             // if the join has joinMetaData, then we don't need to process it... unless it needs flipped //
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             QJoinMetaData joinMetaData = queryJoin.getJoinMetaData();
             if(joinMetaData != null)
             {
+               log("- QueryJoin already has joinMetaData", logPair("joinMetaDataName", joinMetaData.getName()));
+
                boolean isJoinLeftTableInQuery = false;
                String  joinMetaDataLeftTable  = joinMetaData.getLeftTable();
                if(joinMetaDataLeftTable.equals(mainTableName))
@@ -265,7 +709,7 @@ public class JoinsContext
                /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                if(!isJoinLeftTableInQuery)
                {
-                  log("Flipping queryJoin because its leftTable wasn't found in the query", logPair("joinMetaDataName", joinMetaData.getName()), logPair("leftTable", joinMetaDataLeftTable));
+                  log("- - Flipping queryJoin because its leftTable wasn't found in the query", logPair("joinMetaDataName", joinMetaData.getName()), logPair("leftTable", joinMetaDataLeftTable));
                   queryJoin.setJoinMetaData(joinMetaData.flip());
                }
             }
@@ -275,11 +719,13 @@ public class JoinsContext
                // try to find a direct join between the main table and this table. //
                // if one is found, then put it (the meta data) on the query join.  //
                //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               log("- QueryJoin doesn't have metaData - looking for it", logPair("joinTableOrItsAlias", queryJoin.getJoinTableOrItsAlias()));
+
                String        baseTableName = Objects.requireNonNullElse(resolveTableNameOrAliasToTableName(queryJoin.getBaseTableOrAlias()), mainTableName);
-               QJoinMetaData found         = findJoinMetaData(instance, baseTableName, queryJoin.getJoinTable());
+               QJoinMetaData found         = findJoinMetaData(baseTableName, queryJoin.getJoinTable(), true);
                if(found != null)
                {
-                  log("Found joinMetaData - setting it in queryJoin", logPair("joinMetaDataName", found.getName()), logPair("baseTableName", baseTableName), logPair("joinTable", queryJoin.getJoinTable()));
+                  log("- - Found joinMetaData - setting it in queryJoin", logPair("joinMetaDataName", found.getName()), logPair("baseTableName", baseTableName), logPair("joinTable", queryJoin.getJoinTable()));
                   queryJoin.setJoinMetaData(found);
                }
                else
@@ -293,7 +739,7 @@ public class JoinsContext
                   {
                      if(queryJoin.getJoinTable().equals(exposedJoin.getJoinTable()))
                      {
-                        log("Found an exposed join", logPair("mainTable", mainTableName), logPair("joinTable", queryJoin.getJoinTable()), logPair("joinPath", exposedJoin.getJoinPath()));
+                        log("- - Found an exposed join", logPair("mainTable", mainTableName), logPair("joinTable", queryJoin.getJoinTable()), logPair("joinPath", exposedJoin.getJoinPath()));
 
                         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                         // loop backward through the join path (from the joinTable back to the main table) //
@@ -304,6 +750,7 @@ public class JoinsContext
                         {
                            String        joinName  = exposedJoin.getJoinPath().get(i);
                            QJoinMetaData joinToAdd = instance.getJoin(joinName);
+                           log("- - - evaluating joinPath element", logPair("i", i), logPair("joinName", joinName));
 
                            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                            // get the name from the opposite side of the join (flipping it if needed) //
@@ -332,15 +779,22 @@ public class JoinsContext
                                     queryJoin.setBaseTableOrAlias(nextTable);
                                  }
                                  queryJoin.setJoinMetaData(joinToAdd);
+                                 log("- - - - this is the last element in the join path, so setting this joinMetaData on the original queryJoin");
                               }
                               else
                               {
                                  QueryJoin queryJoinToAdd = makeQueryJoinFromJoinAndTableNames(nextTable, tmpTable, joinToAdd);
                                  queryJoinToAdd.setType(queryJoin.getType());
                                  addedAnyQueryJoins = true;
-                                 this.addQueryJoin(queryJoinToAdd, "forExposedJoin");
+                                 log("- - - - this is not the last element in the join path, so adding a new query join:");
+                                 addQueryJoin(queryJoinToAdd, "forExposedJoin", "- - - - - - ");
+                                 dumpDebug(false, false);
                               }
                            }
+                           else
+                           {
+                              log("- - - - join doesn't need added to the query");
+                           }
 
                            tmpTable = nextTable;
                         }
@@ -361,6 +815,7 @@ public class JoinsContext
       }
       while(addedJoin);
 
+      log("Done adding missing join meta data");
    }
 
 
@@ -370,12 +825,12 @@ public class JoinsContext
     *******************************************************************************/
    private boolean doesJoinNeedAddedToQuery(String joinName)
    {
-      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      // look at all queryJoins already in context - if any have this join's name, then we don't need this join... //
-      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // look at all queryJoins already in context - if any have this join's name, and aren't implicit-security joins, then we don't need this join... //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       for(QueryJoin queryJoin : queryJoins)
       {
-         if(queryJoin.getJoinMetaData() != null && queryJoin.getJoinMetaData().getName().equals(joinName))
+         if(queryJoin.getJoinMetaData() != null && queryJoin.getJoinMetaData().getName().equals(joinName) && !(queryJoin instanceof ImplicitQueryJoinForSecurityLock))
          {
             return (false);
          }
@@ -395,6 +850,7 @@ public class JoinsContext
       String         tableNameOrAlias = queryJoin.getJoinTableOrItsAlias();
       if(aliasToTableNameMap.containsKey(tableNameOrAlias))
       {
+         dumpDebug(false, true);
          throw (new QException("Duplicate table name or alias: " + tableNameOrAlias));
       }
       aliasToTableNameMap.put(tableNameOrAlias, joinTable.getName());
@@ -439,6 +895,7 @@ public class JoinsContext
          String[] parts = fieldName.split("\\.");
          if(parts.length != 2)
          {
+            dumpDebug(false, true);
             throw new IllegalArgumentException("Mal-formatted field name in query: " + fieldName);
          }
 
@@ -449,6 +906,7 @@ public class JoinsContext
          QTableMetaData table = instance.getTable(tableName);
          if(table == null)
          {
+            dumpDebug(false, true);
             throw new IllegalArgumentException("Could not find table [" + tableName + "] in instance for query");
          }
          return new FieldAndTableNameOrAlias(table.getField(baseFieldName), tableOrAlias);
@@ -503,17 +961,17 @@ public class JoinsContext
 
       for(String filterTable : filterTables)
       {
-         log("Evaluating filterTable", logPair("filterTable", filterTable));
+         log("Evaluating filter", logPair("filterTable", filterTable));
          if(!aliasToTableNameMap.containsKey(filterTable) && !Objects.equals(mainTableName, filterTable))
          {
-            log("- table not in query - adding it", logPair("filterTable", filterTable));
+            log("- table not in query - adding a join for it", logPair("filterTable", filterTable));
             boolean found = false;
             for(QJoinMetaData join : CollectionUtils.nonNullMap(QContext.getQInstance().getJoins()).values())
             {
                QueryJoin queryJoin = makeQueryJoinFromJoinAndTableNames(mainTableName, filterTable, join);
                if(queryJoin != null)
                {
-                  this.addQueryJoin(queryJoin, "forFilter (join found in instance)");
+                  addQueryJoin(queryJoin, "forFilter (join found in instance)", "- - ");
                   found = true;
                   break;
                }
@@ -522,9 +980,13 @@ public class JoinsContext
             if(!found)
             {
                QueryJoin queryJoin = new QueryJoin().withJoinTable(filterTable).withType(QueryJoin.Type.INNER);
-               this.addQueryJoin(queryJoin, "forFilter (join not found in instance)");
+               addQueryJoin(queryJoin, "forFilter (join not found in instance)", "- - ");
             }
          }
+         else
+         {
+            log("- table is already in query - not adding any joins", logPair("filterTable", filterTable));
+         }
       }
    }
 
@@ -566,6 +1028,11 @@ public class JoinsContext
             getTableNameFromFieldNameAndAddToSet(criteria.getOtherFieldName(), filterTables);
          }
 
+         for(QFilterOrderBy orderBy : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(filter.getOrderBys()))
+         {
+            getTableNameFromFieldNameAndAddToSet(orderBy.getFieldName(), filterTables);
+         }
+
          for(QQueryFilter subFilter : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(filter.getSubFilters()))
          {
             populateFilterTablesSet(subFilter, filterTables);
@@ -592,7 +1059,7 @@ public class JoinsContext
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public QJoinMetaData findJoinMetaData(QInstance instance, String baseTableName, String joinTableName)
+   public QJoinMetaData findJoinMetaData(String baseTableName, String joinTableName, boolean useExposedJoins)
    {
       List<QJoinMetaData> matches = new ArrayList<>();
       if(baseTableName != null)
@@ -644,7 +1111,29 @@ public class JoinsContext
       }
       else if(matches.size() > 1)
       {
-         throw (new RuntimeException("More than 1 join was found between [" + baseTableName + "] and [" + joinTableName + "].  Specify which one in your QueryJoin."));
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if we found more than one join, but we're allowed to useExposedJoins, then //
+         // see if we can tell which match to used based on the table's exposed joins  //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(useExposedJoins)
+         {
+            QTableMetaData mainTable = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(mainTableName);
+            for(ExposedJoin exposedJoin : mainTable.getExposedJoins())
+            {
+               if(exposedJoin.getJoinTable().equals(joinTableName))
+               {
+                  // todo ... is it wrong to always use 0??
+                  return instance.getJoin(exposedJoin.getJoinPath().get(0));
+               }
+            }
+         }
+
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if we couldn't figure it out, then throw. //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+         dumpDebug(false, true);
+         throw (new RuntimeException("More than 1 join was found between [" + baseTableName + "] and [" + joinTableName + "] "
+            + (useExposedJoins ? "(and exposed joins didn't clarify which one to use). " : "") + "Specify which one in your QueryJoin."));
       }
 
       return (null);
@@ -669,4 +1158,79 @@ public class JoinsContext
       LOG.log(logLevel, message, null, logPairs);
    }
 
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void logFilter(String message, QQueryFilter filter)
+   {
+      if(logLevelForFilter.equals(Level.OFF))
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+      System.out.println(message + "\n" + filter);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Print (to stdout, for easier reading) the object in a big table format for
+    ** debugging.  Happens any time logLevel is > OFF.  Not meant for loggly.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void dumpDebug(boolean isStart, boolean isEnd)
+   {
+      if(logLevel.equals(Level.OFF))
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      int sm       = 8;
+      int md       = 30;
+      int lg       = 50;
+      int overhead = 14;
+      int full     = sm + 3 * md + lg + overhead;
+
+      if(isStart)
+      {
+         System.out.println("\n" + StringUtils.safeTruncate("--- Start [main table: " + this.mainTableName + "] " + "-".repeat(full), full));
+      }
+
+      StringBuilder rs           = new StringBuilder();
+      String        formatString = "| %-" + md + "s | %-" + md + "s %-" + md + "s | %-" + lg + "s | %-" + sm + "s |\n";
+      rs.append(String.format(formatString, "Base Table", "Join Table", "(Alias)", "Join Meta Data", "Type"));
+      String dashesLg = "-".repeat(lg);
+      String dashesMd = "-".repeat(md);
+      String dashesSm = "-".repeat(sm);
+      rs.append(String.format(formatString, dashesMd, dashesMd, dashesMd, dashesLg, dashesSm));
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(queryJoins))
+      {
+         for(QueryJoin queryJoin : queryJoins)
+         {
+            rs.append(String.format(
+               formatString,
+               StringUtils.hasContent(queryJoin.getBaseTableOrAlias()) ? StringUtils.safeTruncate(queryJoin.getBaseTableOrAlias(), md) : "--",
+               StringUtils.safeTruncate(queryJoin.getJoinTable(), md),
+               (StringUtils.hasContent(queryJoin.getAlias()) ? "(" + StringUtils.safeTruncate(queryJoin.getAlias(), md - 2) + ")" : ""),
+               queryJoin.getJoinMetaData() == null ? "--" : StringUtils.safeTruncate(queryJoin.getJoinMetaData().getName(), lg),
+               queryJoin.getType()));
+         }
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         rs.append(String.format(formatString, "-empty-", "", "", "", ""));
+      }
+
+      System.out.print(rs);
+
+      System.out.println(securityFilter);
+
+      if(isEnd)
+      {
+         System.out.println(StringUtils.safeTruncate("--- End " + "-".repeat(full), full) + "\n");
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         System.out.println(StringUtils.safeTruncate("-".repeat(full), full));
+      }
+   }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QCriteriaOperator.java

@@ -49,5 +49,7 @@ public enum QCriteriaOperator
    IS_BLANK,
    IS_NOT_BLANK,
    BETWEEN,
-   NOT_BETWEEN
+   NOT_BETWEEN,
+   TRUE,
+   FALSE
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterCriteria.java

@@ -306,6 +306,11 @@ public class QFilterCriteria implements Serializable, Cloneable
    @Override
    public String toString()
    {
+      if(fieldName == null)
+      {
+         return ("<null-field-criteria>");
+      }
+
       StringBuilder rs = new StringBuilder(fieldName);
       try
       {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QQueryFilter.java

@@ -25,12 +25,18 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Objects;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QUserFacingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QMetaDataVariableInterpreter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.expressions.AbstractFilterExpression;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.expressions.FilterVariableExpression;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 
 
@@ -137,7 +143,7 @@ public class QQueryFilter implements Serializable, Cloneable
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    **
+    ** recursively look at both this filter, and any sub-filters it may have.
     *******************************************************************************/
    public boolean hasAnyCriteria()
    {
@@ -150,7 +156,7 @@ public class QQueryFilter implements Serializable, Cloneable
       {
          for(QQueryFilter subFilter : subFilters)
          {
-            if(subFilter.hasAnyCriteria())
+            if(subFilter != null && subFilter.hasAnyCriteria())
             {
                return (true);
             }
@@ -360,23 +366,44 @@ public class QQueryFilter implements Serializable, Cloneable
       StringBuilder rs = new StringBuilder("(");
       try
       {
+         int criteriaIndex = 0;
          for(QFilterCriteria criterion : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(criteria))
          {
-            rs.append(criterion).append(" ").append(getBooleanOperator()).append(" ");
+            if(criteriaIndex > 0)
+            {
+               rs.append(" ").append(getBooleanOperator()).append(" ");
+            }
+            rs.append(criterion);
+            criteriaIndex++;
          }
 
-         for(QQueryFilter subFilter : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(subFilters))
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(subFilters))
          {
-            rs.append(subFilter);
+            rs.append("Sub:{");
+            int subIndex = 0;
+            for(QQueryFilter subFilter : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(subFilters))
+            {
+               if(subIndex > 0)
+               {
+                  rs.append(" ").append(getBooleanOperator()).append(" ");
+               }
+               rs.append(subFilter);
+               subIndex++;
+            }
+            rs.append("}");
          }
+
          rs.append(")");
 
-         rs.append("OrderBy[");
-         for(QFilterOrderBy orderBy : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(orderBys))
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(orderBys))
          {
-            rs.append(orderBy).append(",");
+            rs.append("OrderBy[");
+            for(QFilterOrderBy orderBy : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(orderBys))
+            {
+               rs.append(orderBy).append(",");
+            }
+            rs.append("]");
          }
-         rs.append("]");
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
@@ -389,6 +416,88 @@ public class QQueryFilter implements Serializable, Cloneable
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Replaces any FilterVariables' variableNames with one constructed from the field
+    ** name, criteria, and index, camel style
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void prepForBackend()
+   {
+      Map<String, Integer> fieldOperatorMap = new HashMap<>();
+      for(QFilterCriteria criterion : getCriteria())
+      {
+         if(criterion.getValues() != null)
+         {
+            int criteriaIndex = 1;
+            int valueIndex    = 0;
+            for(Serializable value : criterion.getValues())
+            {
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // keep track of what the index is for this criterion, this way if there are //
+               // more than one with the same id/operator values, we can differentiate      //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               String backendName = getBackendName(criterion, valueIndex);
+               if(!fieldOperatorMap.containsKey(backendName))
+               {
+                  fieldOperatorMap.put(backendName, criteriaIndex);
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  criteriaIndex = fieldOperatorMap.get(backendName) + 1;
+                  fieldOperatorMap.put(backendName, criteriaIndex);
+               }
+
+               if(value instanceof FilterVariableExpression fve)
+               {
+                  if(criteriaIndex > 1)
+                  {
+                     backendName += criteriaIndex;
+                  }
+                  fve.setVariableName(backendName);
+               }
+
+               valueIndex++;
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** builds up a backend name for a field variable expression
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private String getBackendName(QFilterCriteria criterion, int valueIndex)
+   {
+      StringBuilder backendName = new StringBuilder();
+      for(String fieldNameParts : criterion.getFieldName().split("\\."))
+      {
+         backendName.append(StringUtils.ucFirst(fieldNameParts));
+      }
+
+      for(String operatorParts : criterion.getOperator().name().split("_"))
+      {
+         backendName.append(StringUtils.ucFirst(operatorParts.toLowerCase()));
+      }
+
+      if(criterion.getOperator().equals(QCriteriaOperator.BETWEEN) || criterion.getOperator().equals(QCriteriaOperator.NOT_BETWEEN))
+      {
+         if(valueIndex == 0)
+         {
+            backendName.append("From");
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            backendName.append("To");
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (StringUtils.lcFirst(backendName.toString()));
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Replace any criteria values that look like ${input.XXX} with the value of XXX
     ** from the supplied inputValues map.
@@ -397,8 +506,10 @@ public class QQueryFilter implements Serializable, Cloneable
     ** QQueryFilter - e.g., if it's one that defined in metaData, and that we don't
     ** want to be (permanently) changed!!
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public void interpretValues(Map<String, Serializable> inputValues)
+   public void interpretValues(Map<String, Serializable> inputValues) throws QException
    {
+      List<Exception> caughtExceptions = new ArrayList<>();
+
       QMetaDataVariableInterpreter variableInterpreter = new QMetaDataVariableInterpreter();
       variableInterpreter.addValueMap("input", inputValues);
       for(QFilterCriteria criterion : getCriteria())
@@ -409,13 +520,45 @@ public class QQueryFilter implements Serializable, Cloneable
 
             for(Serializable value : criterion.getValues())
             {
-               String       valueAsString    = ValueUtils.getValueAsString(value);
-               Serializable interpretedValue = variableInterpreter.interpretForObject(valueAsString);
-               newValues.add(interpretedValue);
+               try
+               {
+                  if(value instanceof AbstractFilterExpression<?>)
+                  {
+                     ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     // if a filter variable expression, evaluate the input values, which //
+                     // will replace the variables with the corresponding actual values   //
+                     ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     if(value instanceof FilterVariableExpression filterVariableExpression)
+                     {
+                        newValues.add(filterVariableExpression.evaluateInputValues(inputValues));
+                     }
+                     else
+                     {
+                        newValues.add(value);
+                     }
+                  }
+                  else
+                  {
+                     String       valueAsString    = ValueUtils.getValueAsString(value);
+                     Serializable interpretedValue = variableInterpreter.interpretForObject(valueAsString);
+                     newValues.add(interpretedValue);
+                  }
+               }
+               catch(Exception e)
+               {
+                  caughtExceptions.add(e);
+               }
             }
             criterion.setValues(newValues);
          }
       }
+
+      if(!caughtExceptions.isEmpty())
+      {
+         String  message       = "Error interpreting filter values: " + StringUtils.joinWithCommasAndAnd(caughtExceptions.stream().map(e -> e.getMessage()).toList());
+         boolean allUserFacing = caughtExceptions.stream().allMatch(QUserFacingException.class::isInstance);
+         throw (allUserFacing ? new QUserFacingException(message) : new QException(message));
+      }
    }
 
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QueryInput.java

@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collection;
+import java.util.EnumSet;
+import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
@@ -36,7 +38,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.QueryOrGetInputInterf
  ** Input data for the Query action
  **
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QueryInput extends AbstractTableActionInput implements QueryOrGetInputInterface
+public class QueryInput extends AbstractTableActionInput implements QueryOrGetInputInterface, Cloneable
 {
    private QBackendTransaction transaction;
    private QQueryFilter        filter;
@@ -68,6 +70,24 @@ public class QueryInput extends AbstractTableActionInput implements QueryOrGetIn
    private boolean            includeAssociations       = false;
    private Collection<String> associationNamesToInclude = null;
 
+   private EnumSet<QueryHint> queryHints = EnumSet.noneOf(QueryHint.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Information about the query that an application (or qqq service) may know and
+    ** want to tell the backend, that can help influence how the backend processes
+    ** query.
+    **
+    ** For example, a query with potentially a large result set, for MySQL backend,
+    ** we may want to configure the result set to stream results rather than do its
+    ** default in-memory thing.  See RDBMSQueryAction for usage.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public enum QueryHint
+   {
+      POTENTIALLY_LARGE_NUMBER_OF_RESULTS
+   }
+
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
@@ -90,6 +110,40 @@ public class QueryInput extends AbstractTableActionInput implements QueryOrGetIn
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public QueryInput clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException
+   {
+      QueryInput clone = (QueryInput) super.clone();
+
+      if(fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues != null)
+      {
+         clone.fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues = new HashSet<>(fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues);
+      }
+
+      if(queryJoins != null)
+      {
+         clone.queryJoins = new ArrayList<>(queryJoins);
+      }
+
+      if(clone.associationNamesToInclude != null)
+      {
+         clone.associationNamesToInclude = new HashSet<>(associationNamesToInclude);
+      }
+
+      if(queryHints != null)
+      {
+         clone.queryHints = EnumSet.noneOf(QueryHint.class);
+         clone.queryHints.addAll(queryHints);
+      }
+
+      return (clone);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Getter for filter
     **
@@ -569,4 +623,64 @@ public class QueryInput extends AbstractTableActionInput implements QueryOrGetIn
       return (this);
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for queryHints
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public EnumSet<QueryHint> getQueryHints()
+   {
+      return (this.queryHints);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for queryHints
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setQueryHints(EnumSet<QueryHint> queryHints)
+   {
+      this.queryHints = queryHints;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for queryHints
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QueryInput withQueryHints(EnumSet<QueryHint> queryHints)
+   {
+      this.queryHints = queryHints;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for queryHints
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QueryInput withQueryHint(QueryHint queryHint)
+   {
+      if(this.queryHints == null)
+      {
+         this.queryHints = EnumSet.noneOf(QueryHint.class);
+      }
+      this.queryHints.add(queryHint);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for queryHints
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QueryInput withoutQueryHint(QueryHint queryHint)
+   {
+      if(this.queryHints != null)
+      {
+         this.queryHints.remove(queryHint);
+      }
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }