Yeoman & generator-csui-extension secrets

Yeoman and smartUI

Have you ever wondered about the yeoman and the genererator-csui-extension? And whats going up in the somewhat bumpy installation and generation of a project dir? This are the Yeoman & generator-csui-extension secrets.

Yeoman & generator-csui-extension secrets: Lets unveil this secrets

First, recap the installation steps from scratch:

  1. Download and install node.js Version 11.15.0 (In you try a newer version, you will be rewarded by the famous primordials not defined error on starting yo, see this post )
  2. Set npm (part of node.js) to npm version 3 globally (npm install -g npm@3 (I am using 3.3.10)
  3. Install the grunt cli globally (npm install -g grunt-cli@1)
  4. Optional path: Unpacking the sdk and setting up the sampes)
    1. Unpack the SDK in a folder (p.ex. sdk)
    2. go inside this folder
    3. Use npm to install all requirements (npm install)
    4. Then you can start the internal webserver (Default under post 7777) by npm start and browse to sample-index.html inthis dir. Here you will get a listing of certain samples.
    5. The doc folder contains a very basic documentation of the smartUI SDK
  5. But for practical work, you need to gererate at least one project folder. This is a complete structure, containing the actual sdk and a place to build your own packages. So lets generate a project folder named project
    1. Preparation, only to do once
      1. unpack the gererator-csui-extension to a dedicated folder (p.ex. generator)
      2. While not(!) in this folder, install yeoman globally (npm install -g yo@1)
      3. go inside the folder generator
      4. link this as an extension to npm (npm link)
    2. Lets generate the project folder
      1. make the folder named project
      2. go inside the folder named project. Its empty
      3. Start yo to execute the csui-extension (yo csui-extension)
        1. you need to define the name of your oscrippt module and the requirejs base name. Then its doing a lot.
        2. Now your project is really full. You can optionally add a demo widget (yo csui-extension:widget)
      4. Now, build the project (grunt)

Ok, now the project folder project is operable. Lets take a close look on the generator.

(Remark: The versions mentioned are the working versions in my dev machines. Other, newer versions may work, but this is not guaranteed.)

Close Look at the Generator

When you do a npm link, a symbolic link is is build from the folder to [roaming dir]\npm\node_modules\generator-csui-extension.

Symlink Generator and Yeoman

So the extension folder is used as input for the yo execution.

Our Generator source folder looks like

Mann Content of the Generator

The app folder here is interesting

App folder of the Generator

First lets take a look on the rest of the templates folder

Some deeper folders in the hierarchie

Here we see, we have the same structure as lib…. in the sdk. SO the complete SDK is copied fron the generator folder to the project dir unter lib. There is no need to use the sdk folder (except for docs and samples)

A closer look at index.js (Excerpt). This file is executed during “yo csui-extension”.

Index.js

Here you see, the whole structure is copied directly from the templates folder to the destination project. All contents in this templates folder are later in the project folder.

A closer look at package.js

Package.js

The package.json contains as always the definition of this generator extension like, name, description and depedencies of this extension.

Areas for Customizations are at this areas (for example):

  • Custom gruntfiles, which shoulkd apprear in all new generated project folders
  • A different setup for the linters which should apprear in all new generated project folders
  • Added libraries
  • Added documentation structures

How to do this

Simply modify the generatot folder, add your customizations and modifications. You can save this folder as .zip to distribute internal standards.

Happy Customizing

New in 21.1: Search MyAssignments Widget

The new Search Box

A minor improvement in OpenText’s new Content Server 21.1 is the addition of a Search Box in the MyAssignments Widget in smartUI.

The new MyAssignments Search Box - not expanded

Here, the MyAssignments widget is marked. To marvel at the new Search Box, you need to expand the widget.

The new MyAssignments Search Box - the Loupe

Then click on the loupe

Next, the Search Box is displayed.

The new MyAssignments Search Box -the Search Box

Happy Searching

New in 21.1: Folder-Templates

The latest addition in OpenTexts Template technology are Folder-Templates.

Reason for the new Folder-Templates:

Here is a couple of use cases:

  • Create a folder from template within in Workspace: Create some optional folders (not applicable to every Workspace) with predefined folder names, folder permissions, etc.
  • Create folder from template in the enterprise directory: Create a hierarchical structure with predefined folder names, folder permissions, etc

Folder-Templates – How do they work?

Lets explain this in a step-by-step example:

  1. Create the Top Folder structure in “Content Server Document Templates”. Dont forget to add the Classifications according to your schema. Here the main structure is named “Stock Plan”

2. Create the folder structure as required.

3. Add the folder structure at any connected workspace you like. Here a smartUI based workspace is displayed. At the “+”, you can add the Folder Structure “Stock Plan” by one simple click.

5. Then the folder structure is added. The clock icon is a smartUI indicator, that this structure is new. (See my posts on this topic)

Annd there are all subfolders defined.

All Classifications, Categories etc applied to the template will also be present at this copy, like in any other template.

The Sky is the Limit!

Happy Templating.

Next week we’ll discuss the Improvements in Content Intelligence (3 new Widgets) and the Modifications in the Webreports in the amazing new Version 21.1 of Content Server.

New in 21.1: Multilingual Metadata Support

Multilingual Metadata in 21.1

Finally, Multilingual Metadata Support is implemented in Content Server 21.1. Before that version there was only Support available here.

The Users Point of Vue

Multilingual Metadata can be added/edited at the Property Panel of a document. The first screenshot gives the entry of the name, the second gives the entry of the Description field.

Multilingual Metadata in 21.1
Multilingual Metadata in 21.1

Only Names and Descriptions are supported for Multilingual Metadata. For more fields or even Category Attributes in multiple languages, refer to an OpenText Partner like CASSIA.

The Programmers Point of Vue

The Name and Description fields show at least two multilingual text pickers. These are found in the SDK in /lib/csui/controls/multilingual.text.picker and in /lib/csui/dialogs/multilingual.text.picker. Unfortunately there is no Documentation and no index.html. Lets take a look on that control:

The Controls

The left screenshot is from dialogs, the right is from controls.

Multilingual Text PIcker

This is embedded in the header.view.js from the dialogs/node.picker and will only be activated, if Metadata Languages are enabled. The mixin allows the form to be displayed as a Bootstrap Popover.

Mixin Start

Changes in that area require the changed multilingu<al text picker and also the changed paths to be followed for that changes. Therefore require a spawn of the whole nodestable widget to reflect that changes. This is acually not recommended.

Happy MLM

The new Treebrowse Component – Nearly a Windows Explorer

Treeview Control

The Treebrowse Component is a new in Content Server 21.1. What’s a Treebrowse?

Let’s take a look at the index.html at csui/controls/treebrowse/test

Treeview Control

This is an additional Window with the tree based display of all folders in a Content Server. It can be configured that a click on the top left icon will switch it on and off. This Treebrowse Control will then change the display of a Nodestable according to the folder pressed.

Additional Features

Lazy loading and prefetch options for performance. There are a couple of options to configure the loading of the nodes for performance. A “Show More” button can be configured

Tree Navigation is in sync with Table View in Nodestable view. The Nodestable is displays the children of the selected folder.

Multiple root nodes can be configured.

Enable

This Treebrowse is always there, but it must be enabled.

define(['module',
'csui/lib/backbone', "csui-ext!csui/controls/treebrowse/navigation.tree"
], function (module, Backbone, moduleConfigs) {
'use strict';
var config = module.config(),
enableSystemLevel = !!config.enable;
moduleConfigs = moduleConfigs || [];
var configModel = Backbone.Model.extend({
defaults: {
sequence: 100,
enabled: function (status, options) {
return false;
},
data: function (status, options) {
return {};
}
}
}),
configCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({
model: configModel,
comparator: 'sequence'
});

The var enableSystemLevel is interesting.

var NavigationTree = {
enabled: function (status, options) {
  if (!!enableSystemLevel) {
    return true;
  }
  var enabled                = false,
      moduleConfigCollection = new configCollection(moduleConfigs);
  moduleConfigCollection.some(function (mConfig) {
    enabled = mConfig.get('enabled')(status, options);
    if (enabled) {
      status.originatingView.treeData = mConfig.get('data')(status, options);
    }
    enabled = enabled ? true : enabled;
    return enabled;
  });
  return enabled;
}
};
return NavigationTree;
});

As you can see, the Enablement on a system level can be done in OScript. Refer to this post, if you want so figure out how.

If you want to configure this control only for certain folders, you should do:

  • Implement methods enable and data in a separate file and return them in an enclosed object.
  • Register this file which returns object containing enable and data methods as an extension to the “csui/controls/treebrowse/navigation.tree” in the respective module.
"csui/controls/treebrowse/navigation.tree": {
    "extensions": {
      "RMExtensions": ["RMExtensions/controls/treebrowse/RMExtensions.treebrowse.tree"]
    }
  }
  • Enable method should return a condition that specifies when the Tree Navigation should be enabled.
  • The data method should return data that must be passed to tree navigation while instantiation. This data should include configurable settings. If there is no data to be passed default settings are applied.

Example

define([], function () {
  'use strict';
  var RMTreeView= {
    enabled: function (status, options) {
       var supportMaximizeWidget = $("body").hasClass("csui-support-maximize-widget");               return (supportMaximizeWidget && $("body").hasClass("csui-maximized-widget-mode") === false);
    },
    data: function () {
      return {
        "lazyTree": true;
      };
    },
    sequence: 50
  };
  return RMTreeView;
});

A more complex enabled function (like in the index.html) is

enabled: function (status, options) {
var parent_id = status && status.container && status.container.get('parent_id');
return !!parent_id;
}

Parameters

  • Parameters thats need to be included as part of module config:
    • sequence – number default: 100 Decides the priority of a module when multiple modules enabled treeview.
    • enable – function controls whether the treeview command should be visible or not. Need to return a logic whether tree view command is visible.
    • data – function Returns an object of data that are passed to treeview. The parameters that are returned by the data method are passed as options to the constructor of node.tree.view.
    • Parameters that can be returned by the data method are::
      • lazyTree – Boolean default: false Decides whether to prefetch items at one level ahead to display without any delay on clicking showmore button / to fetch the items after clicking show more button.
      • showItemsBlockSize – Number default: 10 Number of items that are shown on expansion of any node or clicking on showmore button.
      • rootNodes – Array of nodemodels default: top most ancestor node of the currently active node An array of nodes which are used as root nodes by the tree. If more than one root node is provided then multiples root nodes are displayed.

Happy Tree Browsing!

The magic of Extension Points: the csui-ext module

require js

Have you ever thought of the magic of extension points in smartUI?

What is an extension point?

This are the dynamic configuration points of smartUI. Calling the config URL in smartUI, you will see all extension points with all configured extension modules in the current smarUI. Normally you’ll add your modules in the file <your-base-requirepath>-extensions.json in your projectstructure build by yo.

All of these modules indicated by these json files are loaded at initialization and form the dynamic smartUI system.

This is an example of an actual configuration in a Content Server System :

Extension Point

As you can see in the configuration, an extension point allows the extension of the extension point with several definable extension modules. Ok,this sounds like a typical lawyer sentence.

In plain english:

This technique allows you to extend the capabilities of a base module (the extension point) with the extension modules listed.

How to add your own extension point?

Use cs-ext as requirejs extensions. This is part of the SDK (/lib/src/csui/utils/load-extensions). There is the module and a very brief short documentation.

If you want more infos on custom requirejs modules, refer to the example of a conditional module,

This is a require.js module like the one which I introduced for conditional loading in Febr 2020. cs-ext is part of the smartUI core. If you want to modify the cs-ext, then use the easy way of loading an requirejs extension described in the conditional loading article.

Overview of cs-ext (in the sdk)

Lets take a look at cs-ext. But if you are more interested in the usage of cs-ext, skip the overview and go to the next chapter “Usage of cs-ext” below.

define(['module', 'csui/lib/underscore'], function (module, _) {
'use strict';

The cs-ext requires only module and underscore.

var config = _.defaults({}, module.config(), {
ignoreRequireErrors: false,
modulePrefixesToRetry: [
'csui', 'classifications', 'esoc', 'wiki', 'workflow', 'webreports'
]
});

This is the standard entry to add sme vars into the configuration. Interesting is the list of modulePrefixesToRetry, includes all modules to retry a reload, if the extension point loading fails.

function handleSuccess(onLoad, parameters) {
onLoad(Array.prototype.slice.call(parameters));
}

The success handler, handles the callback

function handleError(error, onLoad) {
if (config.ignoreRequireErrors) {
console.error(error);
console.warn('Loading extensions of "' + name +
'" failed:', error.requireModules);
onLoad([]);
} else {
onLoad.error(error);
}
}

The error Handler

function retryLoading(require, name, modules, onLoad, firstError) {
var droppedModules = [],
selectedModules = .filter(modules, function (module) { var slash = module.indexOf('/'); if (slash < 0 || .contains(config.modulePrefixesToRetry,
module.substring(0, slash))) {
return true;
} else {
droppedModules.push(module);
}
});
if (selectedModules.length && droppedModules.length) {
console.error(firstError);
console.warn('Loading extensions of "' + name +
'" failed:', firstError.requireModules);
console.warn('Dropping extensions:', droppedModules);
console.warn('Retrying extensions:', selectedModules);
require(selectedModules,
function () {
handleSuccess(onLoad, arguments);
},
function (error) {
handleError(error, onLoad);
});
return true;
}
}

The retryLoading handler. Demonstrates how the reload a module, if there is an error condition. Only the modules with the prefixes listed in modulesPrefixesToRetry (see above) will be reloaded.

return {
load: function (name, require, onLoad, runtimeConfig) {
if (runtimeConfig.isBuild) {
onLoad();
} else {
var moduleConfig = runtimeConfig.config[name] || {},
modules = moduleConfig.extensions;
if (modules) {
if (!.isArray(modules)) { modules = Array.prototype.concat.apply([], .values(modules));
}
if (modules.length) {
require(modules,
function () {
handleSuccess(onLoad, arguments);
},
function (error) {
if (!retryLoading(require, name, modules, onLoad, error)) {
handleError(error, onLoad);
}
});
} else {
onLoad([]);
}
} else {
onLoad();
}
}
}
};

The main method is simply returned as js object.

All listed modules in the extension point list will be loaded and executed before the callback (the carrier module with the cs-ext entry) will be executed.

This may sound quite theoretical. Lets use cs-ext.

Usage of cs-ext

  • Select the module which you want to amend with an extension point. Lets use the csui/controls/table/cells/cell.factory (MUST exist) as an example.
  • Configure the proper extension in the project json like

  • Open the cell factory and examine the source code.

Notice the csui-ext! line at the end of the define-module list. This will search the require.config entries to get a list of the extension modules for this extension point. All listed modules (here hello.view) will be loaded and executed before the callback (stated in the line csui-ext) will be executed.

Back in the callback , the _.extend function extends the prototype of the cell factory by the methods “hasCellViewByOtherKey” and “getCellView”.

Summary

To make a custom extensible module (with extension point), add the csui-ext requirejs extension to your module and set the modules to be loaded in the appropriate json extension file.

Then point to your extensible module from your widget, and you are done. Then your module is configurable and extendable by using the csui-ext util module.

If you want to extend existing modules, you’ll have to spawn the widgets from the library to reflect your new module.

The famous “define is not defined” Error (or “Mismatched anonymous define modules)

Famous Image Problem

In the content server 20.4 you’ll encounter from time to time a requirejs error “define is not defined”. Normally on defining icons. This is very entertaining.

In 16.2.10 the same thing worked as a charm.

Dont panic, in the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” you’ll find the solution.

42 (As always)

(Just kidding. Lets be serious.)

Serious

The case in 16.2.10:

Screenshot in 16.2.x

In 20.2 and above

The same perspective in 20.2 and later

Ups. Looking insane.

Cure

Examine the browser console output. At the debug level.

Browser Console
Browser Console

As a nice addition for the entertainment, the module is uglyfied, it makes no sense to search for this strings, as they are produced during the grunt tasks. But on the other hand, a couple of lines further down there are some complaints of the grid.view.js that the “getSpritePath” is missing. And the offending module is supposed to return the getSpritePath function.

So, a search on getSpritePath gave the offending module, the sprite.js, which was introduced in 20.2 and is obviously required, when a widget wants to display sprites.

The module shows

Original Sprite.js

Lets consult the requirejs error page mentioned in the browser console.

Requirejs Error page

A check of stackoverflow.com gave me the resolution “name collisions can produce this” so I changed the sprite.js to

Changed sprite.js
Changed Sprite.js

Changed the function argument from require to requireReiner. The name doesnt matter.

Result

Everything runs under 20.2 like it used to in previous releases. No more mismatched anonymous define() modules.

But be careful: You’ll get the old js file in all new SDK releases. You should override the old file with the corrected one in all js projects.

As always:

Disclaimer: This works for me. The usage requires proper testing and I will not be liable for any problems whatsoever on that.

System Messages (in the smartUI Welcome Widget)

System Messages in smartUI

Remember the System Messages in the Content Server? This is an handy tool to display system related messages, like: “Next weekend we have maintenance” to inform users on issues with the system.

Normally, System Messages are added or deleted in the Admin pages. Here is an example:

How to add or delete system messages

A name of the Message, the message itself, an option URL for any explanatory pages and an effective date build together the System Message. Per default the System Message has a timeout period of 2 days after publishing, but this can be set in the opentext.ini file by setting a value to NewsDFTExpiration.

From this source the System Messages will be displayed in the legacy gui like this

System Messages are displayed in the legacy gui

But whats if somebody uses smartUI? Unfortunately, there is no possibility to display System Messages in smartUI.

Until the otherwise senseless Welcome Widget is amended. It can look like this:

System Messages in smartUI
System Messages – the new feature in the Welcome Widget.

(Disclaimer: This widget is NOT in the OpenText SDK. This is made by me. Contact me if you interested in using that)

The widget gets its system messages directly from an REST call which extracts this Messages and delivers them to the widget.

The news player is basically an unordered list with an <li> for each news entry. all news were rendered in the <ul> This is a screenshot of the handlebars template.

If any url is in the System Messages, the link opens up in a new tab or a new window.

The news entries scroll with a pure CSS3 animation, no additional Javascript is needed for that. Here is the animation part of the news

And the magic of animation is done with this:

And suddenly the Welcome Widget supports System Messages.

Nice, isn’t it.

Hidden Gems in the smartUI SDK: The side.panel

An overview of the side panel

One of the most interesting controls in the SDK is the side.panel. Reminds somehow to the good Documentum side panels, but is native in the new SDK for Content Server 20.4.

This can be used as a simple control to show things like search forms or oanything you like. Also, multiple views (slides) can be shown in a “Wizard Style”.

First lets take a look on the the sidepanel right out of the box. Quite astonishing, there is a index.html actually working under csui/controls/side.panel/test/index.html. If somebody starts this file, we’ll see side.panel in action:

Shows a nice panel sliding from left/right based on the configuration. This view can be used to show a single view or multiple views (as slides) as per configuration provided to it.

Quite interesting is the fact that if slides provided to the panel, panel’s footer include navigation buttons along with the button provided to the respective slide as part of configuration.

side.panel has modal (dialog) behaviour by default which optionally can pass using constructor param as well (options.modal).

There are several usage possibilities.

Simple Usage (on the right of the screenshot above):

var sidePanel = new SidePanelView({
title: 'Simple Usage Title',
content: new Backbone.View(),
buttons: [{
label: 'Button1'
}]
});
sidePanel.show();

If you want to have several buttons on the footer (in the middle of the screenshot above):

var sidePanel = new SidePanelView({
headerView: new Backbone.View(),
content: new Backbone.View(),
footer: {
leftButtons: [{
label: 'Button1'
}],
rightButtons: [{
label: 'Button2',
id: 'btn2'
}]
});
sidePanel.show();

An example for a “wizard style” sidepanel sliding from the left or the right into the screen

var sidePanel = new SidePanelView({
slides: [{
title: 'Step1',
content: new Backbone.View(),
buttons: [{
label: 'Reset Form',
className: 'binf-btn binf-btn-default'
},
{
label: 'Search',
disabled: true
}]
},
{
title: 'Step2',
content: new Backbone.View(),
buttons: [{
label: 'Finish',
close: true,
className: 'binf-btn binf-btn-primary'
}]
}]
});
sidePanel.show();

There is also a documentation available, at csui/controls/side.panel/doc/side.panel.view.md

Nice, isn’ it?

Happy sliding !