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Seeking web application prototyping tool for less technical user

1 points by kovar ↗ HN
Short version: Any tools similar to the Django admin interface toolset for prototyping web applications?

Long version: I need to stand up a very simple web application front end to drive some fairly complex business logic. I can handle the back end coding well enough but the front end has me stumped.

I've been looking at Django because I know Python well. The admin interface has almost all the functionality I need for the prototype, but it comes with huge warning labels - "Don't use for customer facing views."

I am disinclined to learn Javascript/CSS/HTML along with Django and Django's templates if I can possibly avoid it. I'm able to do so, but it isn't my forte, and a lot of time will be spent writing bad code that will be thrown out and rewritten by a professional soon after the prototype is done.

Are there any decent "push button" FOSS or commercial web application prototyping tools available? Seriously, the Django admin interface toolset is almost exactly what I need.

8 comments

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jjm
I think something has you scared, because simple front end logic isn't all that hard to implement especially for a quick prototype.

The hard part is styling, and as long as you have functionality that can be done anytime after.

Just a side thought, isn't it hard to begin writing backend Django without at least knowing what kind views your presenting? I dunno, chicken/egg here?

kovar
I have a fully functional backend already written in Python, but it is a standalone, command line driven, version. That was easy.

The front end logic doesn't bother me, but learning all the pieces to implement the logic is intimidating.

jjm
Just do it! Man up! (or Woman up!)

I believe in you!

mryan
If it is for a prototype, why not just use the Django admin? I would not run a full-on SaaS site with the built-in admin, but I would be happy enough to use it to demo back-end functionality.

There might be use-cases which would prevent this (e.g. row-level permissions are impossible - if you can delete one FooObject, you can delete them all), but if you can avoid these it should be ok.

kovar
I avoided this due to all the warning labels, but your point is good - this is just for prototype purposes. Shall give that a shot, thank you.
mryan
You are welcome - happy to (attempt to) help!