I’m working with Python and JavaScript at an intermediate level and want to build a web app that combines spreadsheet features with database functionality. Think of it as a simplified version of Airtable but with only core features.
The main features I need to implement are:
- Drag and drop for rows and items
- Different view modes like kanban boards and gallery layouts
- File attachment handling and preview
- Toggle between grid view and form view
- Live collaboration between multiple users
- Basic pivot tables
- Report generation with charts and data exports
I’ve been looking at various commercial widget libraries that offer some of these features individually. There are companies selling kanban components, pivot table widgets, and project management templates.
My main concern is whether mixing widgets from different vendors will work well together, especially for data flow and consistent styling.
Should I invest in premium widgets or look for open source alternatives? Has anyone built something similar and can share their experience? I’m trying to decide between buying ready-made components versus building everything from the ground up.
Any advice on the best approach would be really helpful!