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The Data Model - Overview

Minyu’s data model follows the same fundamental structure as a traditional relational database: data is organized into tables, described by columns, and connected through relations. If you are familiar with relational databases, you can think in exactly those terms when designing your model.

What Minyu adds on top is application-level metadata that controls how this structure is exposed and used throughout the system. This metadata does not change what the data is, but it defines how the application behaves around it. Examples include:

  • API names that define how tables, columns, and relations are addressed programmatically
  • Visibility rules that determine what appears in forms and lists
  • Summary fields that control how rows are labeled in the UI
  • Linking rules that restrict how related data can be created or reused
  • Sorting rules that define field order in generated forms
  • Static option flags for controlled value sets

All configuration is declarative. From this single model, Minyu automatically generates:

  • Smart forms and data entry flows
  • Lists and navigation views
  • CRUD APIs
  • Validation and linking behaviour

The result is a system where you design your information structure in familiar relational terms, while the metadata layer defines how that structure drives the application and API without custom code.