grokking the paradigm changing column layouts

© 2006 EMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Grokking the ParadigmChanging Column LayoutsDennis Dawson

Principal Technical Writer

EMC/Documentum

Grokking the Paradigm 2© 2006 EMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Ten Minutes’ Worth of Stuff

• Here’s what I’m gonna talk about:– Add columns to display– Remove columns from display– Rearrange columns– Tips for when thangs ain’t don’t work right


Changing Default Columns

• We can change the order and content of columns in any of our list controls by changing their XML configuration


Changing Default ColumnsUpdating myfiles_classic_component.xml

• Copy myfiles_classic_component.xml to the /custom directory (which extends myobjects_list_component)

• Copy the entire <columns> element from :/webcomponent/config/library/myobjects/myobjects_list_component.xml

• Paste it into the <component> element of our custom version of myfiles_classic_component.xml

Adding a Default ColumnUpdating myfiles_classic_component.xml

• Change visible to true to display a column

<column>

<attribute>r_creation_date</attribute>

<label><nlsid>MSG_CREATION_DATE</nlsid></label>



<visible>true</visible>

</column>


Adding a Default ColumnRefreshing the Configuration Settings

• To refresh the configuration settings, open http://localhost:8080/webtop/wdk/refresh.jsp

• Verify in the browser column preferences

– If column preferences have never been set, changes appear automatically

– If column preferences have been set, they are stored as cookies at the browser; click Reset to Defaults to see changes


Adding a Default ColumnThe Result

• The my_files page after update:

Removing a Default ColumnUpdating myfiles_classic_component.xml

• To remove a column, set its visible attribute to false• Here, we’re removing the column for file format (content type)

<column>

<attribute>a_content_type</attribute>

<label><nlsid>MSG_FORMAT</nlsid></label>



<visible>false</visible>

</column>


Removing a Default ColumnThe Result

• Here’s the my_files page after update:


Rearranging ColumnsUpdating myfiles_classic_component.xml

• Rearrange columns by rearranging their corresponding elements in the configuration file

... <column> <attribute>r_content_size</attribute> <label><nlsid>MSG_SIZE</nlsid></label> <visible>true</visible></column><column> <attribute>r_version_label</attribute> <label><nlsid>MSG_VERSION_LABEL</nlsid></label> <visible>true</visible></column>...


Rearranging ColumnsThe Results

• When we refresh the configuration, version and size have swapped places:


When In Doubt, Strip the Baby

• Parenting tip: When a baby won’t stop crying:– Strip it – Diaper it– Dress it– Swaddle it– Feed it– Burp it– Serenade it


When In Doubt, Strip Your Application

• Programming tip: When your application won’t work:– Shut down your computer(s)– Turn on (cold boot) your computer(s)– Restart your server– Restart your browser– Delete your offline content– Clear your caches– Clear your cookies

• Strip your application back to a working version• Add your changes back in one at a time until it breaks again (so you

know why) or it works (just be glad)• Keep iterative backups


Multiplicitas Componatis Res Simplex

• Taken as a whole, Webtop and WDK-based applications are intricate, multifaceted feats of programming

• When you focus on any one element of the application, it’s easy to follow the logic and duplicate its behavior

• Once you grok the paradigm, enhancing and customizing complex applications becomes a series of simple steps

grokking the paradigm changing column layouts

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