Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AirData App Object?

AirData

AirData is a database tied to an Airkit app's profile, allowing records to be stored for collection or retrieval, even after a user has closed the app or ended their Journey. Information within AirData is structured according to AirData App Objects.

App Objects ensure sure there is a schema available to structure the information collected by the Web Page fields when building the UI. If you donโ€™t want to keep the captured information in an AirData table, you can create a Custom Data Type instead. Custom Data Types do not store information long-term, but still make it possible to structure data in accordance to the expectations of external system of record, which you can send information to via the HTTP Request Data Operation. For more information on Data Operations and Data Flows, we recommend going through the contents of Your First App (A Simple Form).

What is Airscript?

Airscript

Airscript is a programing language specialized for data manipulation: it's by strategically combining Airscript with input from app users that you control the order, flow, and nature of the interactions between your Airkit apps and the outside world. To get started experimenting with Airscript, see Airscript Quickstart.

What are Mobile and Desktop Layouts?

Page Layouts

Page Layouts consist of nested Containers, including a special one designated Main Content. This is the Container that holds the contents of the Web Page. Navigating to a new Web Page changes what Main Content is displayed, but will otherwise not change any aspect of the Page Layout, which is applied to the application universally.

The Mobile Layout defines the layout of Web Pages opened on mobile devices. By default, this is defined by screens less than or equal to 800 pixels wide, although this is customizable. The Desktop Layout defines the layout of Web Pages opened in browser windows. By default, this is defined by screens more 800 pixels wide, although this is customizable.

For more information on Page Layouts, see Page Layouts.

What is a Variant?

Variants

A Variant is a set of styling properties for a specific Web Control, similar to a class in CSS. If you're not familiar with CSS classes, you might compare Web Controls and Variants to dinnerware. Plates, cups, and forks are all like different web controls: they each have a particular function, and this is reflected in aspects of their appearance. However, not all plates look the same. A square red plate and a round blue plate are both capable of serving as plates and are simply styled differently. If you are deciding whether to set your table with your blue plates or your red plates, this is like choosing between different Variants of plates.

Every Web Control has associated Variants: cosmetic variations that appear differently but function identically. Variants can be edited in Theme Builder and then used as defaults when adding new Web Controls. For instance, within a single application, you might create two Variants of button: a rectangular one in red, and a round one in blue. Any changes made to existing Variants also apply retroactively: existing Web Controls previously styled according to the old default will immediately take the form specified by the new default. This allows for consistent branding throughout the entirety of each user's Journey, and it also makes it easy to see how different combinations of colors, fonts, and graphics look together.

What styling customization options do I have?

Styling

Both individual Web Controls and their variants can be customized according to a wide variety of styling properties. Height, shape, and color are all among the common customizable properties, although the details depend the specifics of the Web Control. For a deeper dive into the available customizations, see Common Styling Properties of Web Controls.