[opencms-dev] How to convert/use a String field as a Date field?

[Michael Emmerich]

Jose,


> Hi again,
>
>
> I would like to code a custom collector from inside my own module, I
> have been looking at the opencms code and I would like to check if I am
> assuming right the steps. This is the plan (for opencms 7.5.0):
>
>
> * Write a custom class that extends the A_CmsResourceCollector.java

Yes, this is correct.

> * Put the custom .class file inside the /classes folder in my module (or
> in the /lib if I had a jar file)

We prefer .jar files as it makes it a bit easier if you have added 
multiple classes to a module.
To speed up development, I would suggest to put the .jar or .class files 
directly into the corresponding folders on the server and only add them 
to the module once you have completed everything.
And do not forget to define the export points to your module, so that 
the .jar/.class files are exported to the server file system.

> * Register that custom class in the<collectors>  section in
> opncms-vfs.xml

Yes, this is correct.

> * Then we can use the tag cms:contentload normally, specifiyng one of
> the  collector names returned by getCollectorNames() from the custom
> class.

Exactly. This explains it quite good how to add a custom collector.

Kind regards,
Michael




>
> Would that be correct?
>
>
> Cheers!
>
> Jose
>
>
>
> On Thu, 2012-04-26 at 12:38 +0200, Jose Ignacio Yarza wrote:
>> Dear List,
>>
>>
>> Briefly, this is about finding a good strategy for
>> migrating/converting/using a string field as a date field for all the
>> xml content in a production site (opencms 7.5.0, ~3gb).
>>
>> Long story. A field of type OpenCmsString is storing a DATE with the
>> format "dd/MM/yy":
>>
>> <xsd:element name="EventDate" type="OpenCmsString" minOccurs="1"
>> maxOccurs="1" />
>>
>>
>> We need it as OpenCmsDateTime for sorting and other business logic.
>>
>> So far, I am looking at these options:
>>
>> 1- Create a new field of type OpenCmsDateTime and convert and copy the
>> value through a java task or some other way. It's tricky and dirty,
>> because from then on it will be necessary to keep both fields
>> synchronized in the code. And eventually get rid of the string version.
>>
>> 2- Create a custom collector with a comparator to order the string field
>> as date instead of alphabetically. This would solve the listings and I
>> think this is cleaner, but I am not all that happy to keep the field as
>> a string.
>>
>> I am unsure about both. I was wondering if we can get somewhere mapping
>> the field to a property such as releasedate, as it is, or if we could
>> perform a conversion somewhere, before the mapping.
>>
>>
>> So, before I set sail to these swampy waters, I would like some advice
>> from ye ol' wise List.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you so much.
>>
>

-- 
Kind Regards,
Michael.

-------------------

Visit OpenCms Days 2012 Conference and Expo September 24 to 25, 2012 in 
Cologne, Germany http://www.opencms-days.org

Michael Emmerich

Alkacon Software GmbH  - The OpenCms Experts
http://www.alkacon.com - http://www.opencms.org