Data Definition Engine UI

This Electron application provides a desktop workflow for the CDISC Data Definition Engine.

Workflow

1. Step 1: generate a DDS JSON template from a USDM file.
2. Step 2: apply a patch file and regenerate the template.
3. Step 3: generate Define-XML from the DDS JSON template.
4. Result: open the generated Define-XML in the embedded stylesheet viewer.

Current capabilities

• Persistent UI state and workflow settings are saved locally between app restarts.
• Runtime paths can be configured for the bundled DDE scripts and Python virtual environment.
• Step 1 performs a Python environment check before the workflow starts.
• Each DDE execution logs the exact Python command used as the first line in the execution output.
• The generated Define-XML output can be opened deliberately from the UI instead of auto-opening.

Project layout

• src/main — Electron main-process logic, IPC handlers, and DDE execution manager.
• src/renderer — React UI, Redux store, workflow steps, and styling.
• assets/dde — bundled DDE scripts and data files.
• data — example protocol and metadata assets.

Runtime configuration

The app supports custom runtime paths for:

• DDE scripts directory
• Python virtual environment directory

These values are configured from the Step 1 runtime path fields and are passed into the Python manager for each execution.

Python requirements

The app expects a working Python environment with the bundled DDE dependencies available.

Typical setup:

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -r assets/dde/define-xml/requirements.txt

The Step 1 preflight check verifies the configured Python executable and required modules before continuing.

Development

npm install
npx tsc -p tsconfig.json --noEmit
npm run start

Optional checks:

npm test
npm run lint

Packaging

npm run build
npm run package-linux
npm run package-mac
npm run package-win

The packaged app is built with Electron Builder and includes the bundled assets needed to run the DDE workflow.