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v2.4.0 — Query builder on the ERD

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@ikelaiah ikelaiah released this 20 Sep 16:32
· 43 commits to main since this release
v2.4.0
7810a57

ProcFlow v2.4.0 — Query builder on the ERD

Released as the ERD query-builder milestone. The declared-constraint model now
produces runnable SQL: pick columns on the diagram and ProcFlow works out the
joins the DDL actually declares, shows the plan, and hands you the statement to
run in your database client.

Highlights

  • Query builder on the diagram. A toolbar toggle turns every column row
    into a checkbox and opens a floating window that can be dragged, resized
    (corner grip or arrow keys), and collapsed. Picked rows are highlighted,
    cards carry a picked-count badge, and the floating window can be closed and
    reopened with the picks intact.
  • Declared-evidence joins only. Shortest paths over declared foreign keys
    connect the picked tables, preferring exact resolutions over name-matched
    ones. Bridge tables are included, tagged, and never selected. Optional and
    parent→child traversals use LEFT by default in the preserve policy; every
    join has an INNER/LEFT switch and a plain-language note about direction,
    optionality, and row multiplication.
  • Equal-cost paths are a choice, not a guess. When two declared paths reach
    the same table (for example CreatedBy and ApprovedBy), the plan shows
    both paths and the first declaration is used until you pick another.
  • Unjoinable picks are explicit. Tables with no declared path get a coral
    ring and a problem card. Resolve by teaching the join (column pair, typed
    predicate, or click two columns on the diagram), opting into a CROSS JOIN,
    or leaving the columns out — the provenance header names anything omitted.
    ProcFlow never silently produces a cartesian product.
  • Self joins. Clicking two columns of the same table creates a second
    aliased copy; tick which picked columns read from that copy, and the header
    documents the alias as second copy, self join.
  • Query ergonomics. Dialect-aware DISTINCT, a row cap (TOP n / LIMIT n
    / FETCH FIRST n ROWS ONLY), and per-column sort cycling (ascending →
    descending → off) on the picked-column chips. A tip offers DISTINCT when a
    one-to-many join can repeat rows.
  • Readable generated SQL. Dependency-free syntax highlighting (keywords,
    comments, strings, identifiers, numbers, punctuation) where the concatenated
    token text is byte-identical to the emitted SQL; Copy always copies the raw
    text. Dialect quoting covers T-SQL, PostgreSQL, DB2, and SQLite.
  • Diagram and plan stay one surface. Plan edges draw at full strength while
    unrelated edges dim; hovering a join card lights its exact edge and both
    endpoint cards; Only used tables narrows the canvas to the query plus any
    unresolved tables; Find now matches columns and highlights the exact
    rows; hover and teaching cursors make the diagram the picker.

Accuracy and limits

  • Joins use declared PRIMARY KEY / UNIQUE / FOREIGN KEY evidence only.
    Column names never imply a relationship.
  • Taught joins, self-join aliases, and CROSS JOIN opt-ins are labelled as not
    declared in the plan and in the SQL header; ProcFlow states that it cannot
    verify them.
  • Name-matched foreign-key targets remain usable with a warning; external
    (unresolved) targets cannot be picked and are explained in the picker notes.
  • The generated SQL is read-only and derived. Edit it where you run it.
  • Query picks and options are session state; only ERD layouts persist (opt-in).

Verification

The final local verification recorded for this release includes:

  • npm run typecheck, npm run build, npm run test:file, and
    npm run metrics passing;
  • golden browser assertions on tests/index.html passing (221/221), including
    the v2.4.0 query-builder suite (39/39: join graph and pathfinding, ambiguity
    alternatives, bridges, preserve/strict policy, taught joins, self joins,
    disconnected selections, dialect quoting, ergonomics options, highlighting
    token round-trip, and deterministic output);
  • a scripted headless UI pass over erd.html passing 67/67 interaction checks
    (query mode, on-card picking, join and problem cards, teaching by clicks,
    self-join copy routing, resize and keyboard resize, highlighting, chips,
    Find and the only-used filter);
  • runtime archive structure and local-file startup smoke passing
    (procflow-v2.4.0.zip).

Upgrade and distribution

The runtime is self-contained. Use npm run package:runtime to produce the
versioned ZIP and verify .release/SHA256SUMS.txt before distributing it.
Layouts and layout files saved by earlier releases remain readable; query
builder state is not persisted between sessions.

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