Inventory Management System

Overview

The Inventory Management System is a desktop application I built to simplify product inventory tracking for small businesses or individuals. It features an intuitive JavaFX interface paired with a powerful Spring Boot backend, storing data in SQLite. With a sortable product table, full CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations, and real-time search, this project showcases my full-stack development skills using modern Java technologies—all packaged into a single, easy-to-run JAR file.

Purpose

This application replaces messy manual tracking with a digital solution, making it easy to manage products like “Laptop, $999, 10 units.” It’s designed to save time, reduce errors, and provide a clear view of inventory for users like store owners or hobbyists—demonstrating my ability to create practical tools.

Technologies Used

• Frontend: JavaFX (GUI), FXML (layout), CSS (custom styling)
• Backend: Spring Boot (REST API), Spring Data JPA (database access), Java 23 (core language)
• Database: SQLite (via SQLite JDBC 3.49.1.0)
• Build Tool: Maven (single JAR packaging with -parameters flag)
• Libraries: Lombok (code simplification), Jackson (JSON handling), Apache Commons CSV (CSV parsing)
• Data Source: Mockaroo-generated CSV (200 initial products)

Key Features

• Displays a sortable table of products (ID, Name, Price, Quantity) with alternating row colors
• Supports CRUD: Add products with auto-generated IDs, update details, delete items
• Real-time search by name with a “Clear Search” option
• Validates inputs (non-empty, numeric, positive values) with error alerts
• Modern UI with color-coded buttons: green (add/search), orange (update), red (delete/clear)
• Saves data in SQLite, initialized from a 200-entry CSV file

How It Works

• Startup: Launch the JAR; Spring Boot and JavaFX run together, with a retry mechanism syncing them
• Data Flow: JavaFX frontend sends HTTP requests to Spring Boot REST endpoints (e.g., /api/products), which uses JPA to manage SQLite
• Persistence: Loads CSV data into SQLite on first run if empty
• Usage: Add, update, or delete via buttons; search filters the table instantly

Challenges Overcome

• Integrated JavaFX and Spring Boot into one JAR, fixing startup delays with a retry loop
• Resolved Spring parameter mapping issues using Maven’s -parameters flag
• Designed a dynamic, searchable UI beyond static CSV data, enhancing usability

Benefits

• Efficiency: Streamlines inventory tasks with real-time updates
• Usability: Intuitive interface for all skill levels
• Portability: Runs anywhere with Java 23 installed

Project Highlights

• Combined JavaFX frontend and Spring Boot REST API into a single JAR
• Implemented robust CRUD operations with SQLite persistence
• Added real-time search via REST API, improving user experience
• Created a polished, color-coded UI with custom CSS
• Solved technical challenges like startup sync and parameter mapping

Usage Instructions

• Start: Run the JAR; table loads after a brief delay
• Add: Enter name, price, quantity; click green “Add Product”
• Update: Select a product, edit fields, click orange “Update Selected”
• Delete: Select a product, click red “Delete Selected”
• Search: Type a name, click green “Search” or press Enter; reset with red “Clear Search”

Future Improvements

• Add a status bar for success/error messages
• Support exporting inventory to CSV
• Enable CSV uploads via a UI button

Demo

Try It Yourself

Explore the code, build it with Maven, and run the JAR. Full setup instructions are on GitHub.