I decided to open a new thread for this plugin idea, as it was multiple times discussed, in some threads containing "arbitrary tables" keywords.
I wanted to collect the links of related threads into one thread, and also attract such discussions here.
It seems, Aki, Yogi, Pugdog, myself and maybe others also faced this drawback of Links SQL, which is discussed in this & other threads listed below. I believe, we all did face the facts, where are the limits of Links SQL, and which missing features are limiting improvements of our website and web developments.
The threads which containd discussions related to this subject:
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/...ary%20tables;#213838
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/...ary%20tables;#206049
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/...ary%20tables;#240823
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/...ary%20tables;#275415
Similarly as Pugdog had such development plans, I also planned to develop a plugin, which will create the possibility to have properties attached to each object.
Pugdog calls it "arbitrary tables" feature, I call it "multiple object properties" feature, but I think the idea behind is the same.
Currently it's still just a plan for me, maybe sometime in the future will have (or will need to have) time to develop it, as my website will need this feature.
I think Pugdog is in similar situation like me, having a lot plans & ideas, and not enough free time for all developments.
Anyway, let me express my ideas behind my "Multiple object properties" project:
Currently we have some objects like: Links, Categories, Users
Current solution in LSQL:
Our current problem in LSQL is, that a link record may have only 1 to 1 selection for a property.
This is similar, to radio buttons. You can have only 1 choice for 1 question.
Wanted solution in the plugin:
But we need to have N selections for 1 link record property.
This would be a "checkbox" like solution, so we could have N selections for 1 question.
This kind of solution is missing from current Links SQL implementation, so we will need a plugin for that task.
The main object list is managed the plugin config.
By default would likely contain: Links, Categories, Users
But the list could contain any kind of object, not limited to these.
So if we want to add a Review object, we can safely do that.
We can also remove objects. Safe removal can be done, if object table contains no data, yet. If object table already has data, should force a confirm dialog (warn that data will be lost), if a backup checkbox was checked do data backup, then after confirmation if accepted, can remove object properties data.
The object properties are also managed the plugin config.
We can add or remove objects properties from the plugin config panel.
Some features, notes:
Each object can have properties attached. Links, Categories can have properties, and Users might also have properties.
Each object property object needs a separate table, where properties are stored.
Each object property object needs a separate data table, where data for properties are stored.
It's quite such an ideal task, which can solved very well with object oriented programming.
The solution should be not very difficult (however at first sight everything seems easy, then later do you face how difficult the development can be
), but definitely I should first have free time, to work out the idea and the plugin in details.
Let me have a small request: let me reserve the "Multiple object properties plugin" name for myself, in case that I will ever develop this plugin. I don't think this would mean any problem to a developer who may develop such plugin earlier.
Best regards,
Webmaster33
Paid Support from Webmaster33. Expert in Perl programming & Gossamer Threads applications. (click here for prices)
Webmaster33's products (upd.2004.09.26) | Private message | Contact me | Was my post helpful? Donate my help...
I wanted to collect the links of related threads into one thread, and also attract such discussions here.
It seems, Aki, Yogi, Pugdog, myself and maybe others also faced this drawback of Links SQL, which is discussed in this & other threads listed below. I believe, we all did face the facts, where are the limits of Links SQL, and which missing features are limiting improvements of our website and web developments.
The threads which containd discussions related to this subject:
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/...ary%20tables;#213838
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/...ary%20tables;#206049
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/...ary%20tables;#240823
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/...ary%20tables;#275415
Similarly as Pugdog had such development plans, I also planned to develop a plugin, which will create the possibility to have properties attached to each object.
Pugdog calls it "arbitrary tables" feature, I call it "multiple object properties" feature, but I think the idea behind is the same.
Currently it's still just a plan for me, maybe sometime in the future will have (or will need to have) time to develop it, as my website will need this feature.
I think Pugdog is in similar situation like me, having a lot plans & ideas, and not enough free time for all developments.
Anyway, let me express my ideas behind my "Multiple object properties" project:
Currently we have some objects like: Links, Categories, Users
Current solution in LSQL:
Our current problem in LSQL is, that a link record may have only 1 to 1 selection for a property.
This is similar, to radio buttons. You can have only 1 choice for 1 question.
Wanted solution in the plugin:
But we need to have N selections for 1 link record property.
This would be a "checkbox" like solution, so we could have N selections for 1 question.
This kind of solution is missing from current Links SQL implementation, so we will need a plugin for that task.
The main object list is managed the plugin config.
By default would likely contain: Links, Categories, Users
But the list could contain any kind of object, not limited to these.
So if we want to add a Review object, we can safely do that.
We can also remove objects. Safe removal can be done, if object table contains no data, yet. If object table already has data, should force a confirm dialog (warn that data will be lost), if a backup checkbox was checked do data backup, then after confirmation if accepted, can remove object properties data.
The object properties are also managed the plugin config.
We can add or remove objects properties from the plugin config panel.
Some features, notes:
It's quite such an ideal task, which can solved very well with object oriented programming.
The solution should be not very difficult (however at first sight everything seems easy, then later do you face how difficult the development can be
), but definitely I should first have free time, to work out the idea and the plugin in details. Let me have a small request: let me reserve the "Multiple object properties plugin" name for myself, in case that I will ever develop this plugin. I don't think this would mean any problem to a developer who may develop such plugin earlier.
Best regards,
Webmaster33
Paid Support from Webmaster33. Expert in Perl programming & Gossamer Threads applications. (click here for prices)
Webmaster33's products (upd.2004.09.26) | Private message | Contact me | Was my post helpful? Donate my help...
Multiple object properties plugin