Introduction
A PowerBlock is used to speed up app development.
It is a reusable the part of an app, an app experience which remains identical in nature yet is used across multiple apps. For example a Navigation Bar.
These are 'part of an app' which are common to many apps.
PowerBlocks are made of Blocks and Layout, they come on one or multiple views.
PowerBlocks are shared across workspaces, app developer drop them into their app to speed up app development.
PowerBlocks are extremely useful to speed up app development
Another key benefit of PowerBlock is that they are configurable.
When a PowerBlock is dropped into an app, it can ask the app developer for specific values like what data source it will use, what image or what text will be used to instantiate the PowerBlocks.
To configure a PowerBlock we use Descriptors, more on this later.
Reusability associated to configurability make PowerBlocks extremely powerful elements.
After you create a PowerBlock it will be accessible in the "Published Components" tab.
To create a PowerBlock simply click on "New PowerBlock
Give your PowerBlock a name and the type of View that will first be created.
Then click "Create"
You can now create an app with the functions and Views you want to share just like a regular app.
To Publish your PowerBlock and make it available for your Workspace, and Workspaces below the main one, simply select on "Configure" in the PowerBlock menu
Then click on the "PowerBlock" tab and choose "Yes" in the dropdown for "Published for Enterprise".
Then click "Update" on the bottom to save your changes.
Now when you are in a regular app in your Workspace or the Workspaces below your PowerBlock will be available in the "Published" tab.
You can now drag the PowerBlock into any App and the Views and data sources of the PowerBlock will be added to the existing app.
When you drop the PowerBlock in the View you'll be prompted to confirm adding the PowerBlock to your app.