sparQ Design and Architecture

Learn about the design and modular architecture of sparQ

Author: Asim ·

Building for Growth: Laying the Right Foundations

Designing a system that is expected to grow and scale over time requires careful architectural decisions from the start. At sparQ, we prioritize a modular and extensible approach that allows for flexibility, maintainability, and scalability. A well-structured foundation ensures that as sparQ evolves into a more powerful tool for small businesses, it remains simple, intuitive, and efficient.

To achieve this, sparQ is designed around the following key architectural principles:

  • Modular Architecture: Everything is a module, including the core system.
  • Loadable Module System: Only essential modules are required for operation, and additional features can be added as needed.
  • Database Management: SQLite is the primary database, chosen for its lightweight and scalable nature.
  • Migrations: SQLAlchemy is used as the ORM, with Alembic planned for migrations post v0.1.
  • Responsive UI: Future updates will ensure a fully responsive design, with a roadmap towards a Progressive Web App (PWA).
  • Containerization: Docker-based deployment is planned for streamlined DevOps.
  • Internationalization: A simple yet powerful translation system allows sparQ to be truly global.

The Modular Architecture of sparQ

At the core of sparQ’s philosophy is modularity. This means that every part of the system operates as an independent module that can be enabled, extended, or replaced without affecting the core system.

Core and People: The Essential Modules

The only two required modules for sparQ to function are:

  • Core Module: Handles authentication, user management, and base system functions.
  • People Module: Enhances user management with HR-related functionality such as roles, departments, and status tracking.

Other modules extend the system by adding functionalities such as time tracking, scheduling, bookkeeping, and more.

Loadable Module System

sparQ automatically discovers and loads modules at runtime. Modules are structured in a standardized format:

modules/
    module_name/
        __init__.py
        __manifest__.py     # Module metadata
        module.py          # Module class implementation
        models/           # Database models
        controllers/      # Route handlers
        views/           # Templates and assets

Modules define their dependencies, allowing sparQ to load them dynamically and ensure that required modules are available before execution.

Database and Migrations

SQLite is used as the primary database for sparQ due to its efficiency, scalability, and simplicity. While it suits the needs of small businesses, future versions may introduce support for alternative databases.

  • SQLAlchemy is used for ORM-based database interactions.
  • Alembic migrations will be introduced after the v0.1 release to allow database schema changes to be applied seamlessly.

Responsive UI and Future PWA

A critical aspect of sparQ is ensuring a seamless experience across all devices. The upcoming updates will implement:

  • Fully responsive design using modern CSS techniques.
  • Mobile-first approach to accommodate small business owners on the go.
  • Future PWA integration to provide a near-native app experience without requiring installation from an app store.

Containerization and Deployment

Deployment and DevOps solutions will be built using Docker containerization. This will provide:

  • Easy setup and deployment across various environments.
  • Scalability with minimal configuration changes.
  • Standardized development environments for contributors and users alike.

A Practical Example: Tasks Module

For developers looking to contribute, the Tasks Module is a great example to study. It demonstrates:

  • Modular development best practices.
  • Database interactions via SQLAlchemy.
  • Proper routing and template usage.

To get started, refer to the guide on [How to Write a New Application or Extension for sparQ](coming soon).

Internationalization: sparQ’s Translation System

One of sparQ’s most elegant features is its translation system, designed for simplicity and scalability:

  • JSON-based translations stored within each module.
  • Locale-aware formatting for dates, numbers, and currencies.
  • Automatic fallback system for missing translations.
  • Seamless integration with UI components.

Looking Ahead

sparQ is still in its early stages, but the roadmap is exciting. With a strong foundation in place, we are building towards a robust and scalable platform. The coming months will bring:

  • Database migrations with Alembic.
  • A fully responsive interface.
  • Docker-based deployment.
  • Expanded module support for new business functions.

If you’re a developer eager to contribute, now is the perfect time to get involved. Check out the repository and join us in building sparQ!

Come and join our team by checking out the repo at github.com/sparqone/sparq.