FAQ
What is AlchemyJ?
AlchemyJ is a tool for building high performance API by simply using Excel spreadsheets. Business users can craft their business model in Excel and AlchemyJ will turn it into enterprise-class level API with the latest development technology.
Who is AlchemyJ meant for?
AlchemyJ is meant for people who wants to a build business model with Excel formulas in Excel. It is perfect for business analysts to build and test business model which often contains complex logic that is difficult to be understood by technical teams.
AlchemyJ is also suitable for non-Java developers who wish to build API that runs on J2EE servers. It enables them to contribute their skills and experience to the development team without a Java programming background.
Do I need to know programming to use AlchemyJ?
Programming experience is not necessary as the business logic is solely built using Excel formulas and some additional Excel functions that AlchemyJ provides.
What kind of application can I build with AlchemyJ?
As AlchemyJ uses Excel as a modeling tool, it is optimized for API that contains complex business logic, mathematical models and data management. Some examples include customer information management and financial models.
Which version of Microsoft Excel does AlchemyJ support?
AlchemyJ Studio is an Add-in that can be installed in Excel 2016, or 2019.
Does AlchemyJ Studio work with spreadsheet programs other than Microsoft Excel?
No. Currently, it only supports Microsoft Excel.
What kind of Java project does AlchemyJ product?
AlchemyJ can generate Java API and REST API. AlchemyJ Java APIs are Java project which contains POJO classes so that any Java application can use them. AlchemyJ REST APIs are Springboot projects.
What application server does AlchemyJ support?
It can run on J2EE application servers. It has been tested on Tomcat, Jetty, JBOSS, Wildfly and Weblogic.
Can I run AlchemyJ API on docker?
Yes.
Can I use AlchemyJ to build web front-end logic?
AlchemyJ generates server-side APIs. However, it contains a data dictionary component which defines properties used in the model. AlchemyJ exports the data dictionary configurations JSON file and provide a JavaScript library so that front-end developers can use it to do client-side data validation. This keeps the business logic in one place and reduces server workload.
Does AlchemyJ support API access control?
AlchemyJ REST API supports session based authentication and token based authentication (JWT). It automatically generates endpoints for log in and log out. It supports LDAP authentication.
Does AlchemyJ support database operation?
AlchemyJ provides strong support of database operation. It provides additional functions for database operation and transaction management. The current version supports Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and MSSQL.
Does AlchemyJ come with a testing framework?
AlchemyJ automatically generates unit test project for Java API and REST API. A testing framework which works in AlchemyJ Studio, AlchemyJ Java API and AlchemyJ REST API. This framework will allow users to define one set of test data and run it before and after the API has been compiled.
Can I use AlchemyJ to implement a certain module in my Java project?
Yes. In a large system, an architect might want to build business logic related module using AlchemyJ while system functions such as security and logging are built using native Java code. The Java program can call AlchemyJ API either by importing an AlchemyJ API Java package or through web service.