InfoQube IM - Community

Submitted by Tom on 2009/03/12 13:13

thought I'd start a thread about

file links
situation when the linked files are moved
relative paths
plan for the future related to this topic

reason being I'm in the situation where I have to (or think it's best to) reorganise files and folders due to a major restructuring of a job (the details arent important really)

so I have to make a decision about how I proceed.

1. if links are broken by, say, moving a folder, is there a method of changing/correcting links en masse
Example: 20 files from one folder linked in grid in IQ. Folder gets moved ..

Answer to example: ~~well it looks like if I simply change the FilePath field * en masse that this will work - this in spite of the fact that the path in the item link appears to be wrong.~~ [edit] worked once but not the second attempt ! will try again [edit]

* The FilePath field contains the path to the parent folder.

1.1. so I guess the question now is if it is planned to find links for moved files in general ?

1.1.1 From Link to Files, Folders and URLs

Autoupdating links: If the linked file is in the YourFile.sndb.Files folder, then any links which cannot be resolved (moved, on a different computer, etc) will search in that folder and if resolved, will update the FilePath field accordingly. This is a great way to simulate file embedding. Simply copy your sndb file and the associated subfolder to a portable drive and your links will remain functional

I think I understand this - I wouldnt want to (or possibly even be able to) put all the files into that folder, but I'm wondering could there be some way of making a file (txt / csv?) that would have old paths and new paths and if this was placed in the YourFile.sndb.Files folder and that IQ could read it and correct paths.

2.. is anyone here actually using relative links? If so could you tell us about your experience

2.1. From www.sqlnotes.net/drupal5/index.php it says

> If you move both the SQLNotes file and the linked files, the links will still work (that's the idea behind relative links). To really work well however, the linked files must be under the SQLNotes file. If they are like ..\otherfolder\myfile.txt, then you'll need to move otherfolder too.

My situation is complicated by the fact my db file is in a dropbox folder ... oh dear

It's that I want to organise things now so as they can last without too much messing around in the future. Gives me a headache it does.

Any comments, suggestions, or opinions welcome

Comments

[quote=Tom]

1. if links are broken by, say, moving a folder, is there a method of changing/correcting links en masse
Example: 20 files from one folder linked in grid in IQ. Folder gets moved ..

Answer to example: well it looks like if I simply change the FilePath field * en masse that this will work - this in spite of the fact that the path in the item link appears to be wrong.

* The FilePath field contains the path to the parent folder

[/quote]

worked once but not the second attempt ! will try again

again could anyone with any experience here please comment!

thanks,

Make sure the new FilePath is correct. The order when double-click on an item is:

Check if the item text corresponds to a valid file. If yes, open it
Check filepath and filename. If it exist, open it

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Make sure the new FilePath is correct. The order when double-click on an item is:

Check if the item text corresponds to a valid file. If yes, open it
Check filepath and filename. If it exist, open it

[/quote]

new FilePath is correct - still not working - will try a couple of more tests later

unfortunately I deleted the first test (which was only with one file but it seemed to work but it was also very quickly done with possibility of some mistake there)

Just tried another few files and it didnt work again, so I can say this is not working for me anyway Pierre

I made sure to add the back-slash at the end of the FilePath - cant see that there's anything else I could have done wrong ...

Personally, I've found the entire file linking system to be a bit squirrely here. Half the time, clicking on a file link does nothing to the point where I'm hesitant to link any local files via IQ. OTOH, I'm probably missing something.

Jan Rifkinson

Ridgefield CT USA

HP Blackbird Vista Ultimate SP-1

[quote=jan_rifkinson]

my experience has been very positive - I dont link a huge variety of filetypes but I haven't had any problems opening them or anything

Is it with particular filetypes you'rehaving problems ?

[quote=Tom]
[quote=Pierre_Admin]
Make sure the new FilePath is correct. The order when double-click on an item is:
Check if the item text corresponds to a valid file. If yes, open it
Check filepath and filename. If it exist, open it
[/quote]
new FilePath is correct - still not working - will try a couple of more tests later
unfortunately I deleted the first test (which was only with one file but it seemed to work but it was also very quickly done with possibility of some mistake there)

Just tried another few files and it didnt work again, so I can say this is not working for me anyway Pierre
I made sure to add the back-slash at the end of the FilePath - cant see that there's anything else I could have done wrong ..
[/quote]

any chance you could have a look at this Pierre ?
-
I did a third test without success

1 question:

What is displayed in the item:

filename: updating filepath works here
path+filename: updating filepath works here, even though the item path is the old path
hyperlink to the file: updating filepath and clicking the hyperlink does not work, but double-click on the # column works

Does this help?

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

1 question:

What is displayed in the item:

filename: updating filepath works here
path+filename: updating filepath works here, even though the item path is the old path
hyperlink to the file: updating filepath and clicking the hyperlink does not work, but double-click on the # column works

Does this help?[/quote]okay I have behaviour three

which I didnt realise cause I always hide the # column

(Maybe I hadnt said they were hyperlinks)

That's a relief

Any chance you could set it up so as (hyper)linked files open when clicking on the item field? (I'll probably wait to make the move until that's possible - I've been spoiled now by that single click - couldnt go back :p)

have a good weekend if I dont see ye before monday

We posted at the same time... you may have missed this answer:

http://www.sqlnotes.net/drupal5/index.php?q=node/493#comment-1586

great week-end to you too!

I have an upcoming system transfer of my own and this thread prompted me to try a test out for myself. I can confirm Tom's findings in that even though the FilePath is altered to new, valid location the item link defined by <a href= (filelocation)...> does not change dynamically.

John

> item link defined by <a href= (filelocation)...> does not change dynamically

This is correct. The <a href-... is a hardcoded hyperlink and is not updated if filepath is changed. It is a non-trivial task to check all text fields (in all items for that manner) for a match on a href-... when the FilePath is changed and update all refs.

A much better long term solution is the use of file shortcuts which are updated by the OS as they are moved. This is easy to implement and is planned. (so the hyperlink would point to the shortcut, not to the actual file). Not sure how this will work with network files however...

Another solution is to create a function to update the item text on filepath / filename change. This can be done with the current version. I can supply the function if desired.

Any better solution? Suggestions are welcomed

Pierre,

Is it possible for the href link to use the FullFileName or FilePath and FileName as some sort of parameter? this would make it dynamic when they are changed and keep the link updated automatically.

John

Excellent idea! if href=[FileFullName] then will use that for the link. I'll implement that right away

[edit] The same with [URL] (href=[URL])

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Excellent idea! if href=[FileFullName] then will use that for the link. I'll implement that right away

[edit] The same with [URL] (href=[URL])

[/quote]

sounds great - including the "right away" bit

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Excellent idea! if href=[FileFullName] then will use that for the link. I'll implement that right away

[edit] The same with [URL] (href=[URL])

[/quote]

This is a little over my head. Does this mean local paths will become dynamic so if file is moved via explorer a link in IQ will be updated as well?

Jan Rifkinson

Ridgefield CT USA

HP Blackbird Vista Ultimate SP-1

[quote=jan_rifkinson]

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Excellent idea! if href=[FileFullName] then will use that for the link. I'll implement that right away

[edit] The same with [URL] (href=[URL])

[/quote]

This is a little over my head. Does this mean local paths will become dynamic so if file is moved via explorer a link in IQ will be updated as well

[/quote]

no, but that is planned too.

Pierre says above:-

> A much better long term solution is the use of file shortcuts which are updated by the OS as they are moved. This is easy to implement and is planned. (so the hyperlink would point to the shortcut, not to the actual file). Not sure how this will work with network files however...

This current thingy just means we can manually update link so that the one-click link still works (wasnt working when I just changed the FilePath field)

Guess Friday 13th was one of my better days - thanks Pierre!

John

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Excellent idea! if href=[FileFullName] then will use that for the link. I'll implement that right away

[/quote]

but dont use FileFullName !

if possible use FilePath and FileName:

then multiple files from one folder that are moved can be changed en masse - just change the FilePath. Otherwise (with FileFullName) each item will have to be changed individually

FileFullName is a dynamic (and read-only) field, always composed of FilePath and FileName.

The UI I'm working on looks like this (will show on file drag-drop):

Comments anyone?

What is / does 'File reference fields'

Why would someone use this UI for item text that had 'no hyperlink'?

Jan Rifkinson

Ridgefield CT USA

HP Blackbird Vista Ultimate SP-1

Right now, when you drag-drop a file to the grid, at least 3 fields are filled:

FileRef is checked
FilePath gets the path
FileName gets the name

It is proposed to be able to drop the file and be able use:

The URL field, which is typically displayed as a hyperlink. Can hold a web URL of a reference to a file
The HTML pane. Clicking on the item would display the file in the HTML pane (htm, mht, doc, xls, jpeg, png, and just about anything that IE can display (and eventually edit)

You can open the linked file by double-click on the anywhere on the item (much like Ecco could launch a file, if the item had the correct format).

In addition, the grid supports in-text hyperlinks. This allows single-click launch, multi-file link, link to other items, etc

[quote=jan_rifkinson]

What is / does 'File reference fields'

Why would someone use this UI for item text that had 'no hyperlink'

[/quote] well it's used only on drag n drop of a file into grid - I personally would always choose hyperlink but maybe for some reason some wouldnt, or wouldnt want it in the item field

Re File Reference fields - these are currently hyperlink fields by default when you drag-drop file - can be handy..

so,

1) in order to replicate current drag-drop of a file I would simply select FileName (top right in image)

2) Does "Item hyperlink" mean hyperlink in the item field or in item in general?

3) ~~is "File link saved to: ..." a hyperlink?~~ [edit] answered in previous post [/edit]

4) I think "Drop item as ..." is not necessary - just more work for me really having to manually choose one - if item doesnt go exactly where I plan, I can always move it.

But if others (or you) want it, it wouldnt bother me!

5) why wouldnt you simply have dynamic by default? (Well I guess you can, but I'm not sure why one would choose static)

6) if someone wanted to add text as a suffix to the filename in the item field (something I would do more than prefix) would that be possible (and would you actually go so far!)

e.g.

Item text FilePath Item text ________

[_____________] + File Name + [_________________]

EDIT/ to #6) call it 6a

6a) would this additional text become part of the link in a hyperlink or be shown outside of the <a ..etc..a>

Re: 4 (Drop Item as..) would be really useful! (sorry Tom!)

Re 5: Setting dynamic as a default would save a click in most cases I think.

John

As usual, all settings would be saved, so the next time you drop a file, the previous settings will be applied.

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

As usual, all settings would be saved, so the next time you drop a file, the previous settings will be applied.

[/quote]

You could put in an advanced label (you wouldnt even have to make it drop down) to indicate to people that they really dont have to worry about these options unless they want to get in there and mess around

something like this as default ?

I suggest this cause I think new users being confronted with your one above could be fairly intimidated

> Re: 4 (Drop Item as..) would be really useful!

Re 4 (again!) if nothing was selected here (if no selection allowed) then follow drag and drop direction of where to place item -

that would offer the best of both worlds then

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Excellent idea! if href=[FileFullName] then will use that for the link. I'll implement that right away

[edit] The same with [URL] (href=[URL])

[/quote]has this been implemented in pre-release#9 ?

If so, I'll give it a test run :-)

not quite unfortunately. Expect an update very very soon...

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

not quite unfortunately. Expect an update very very soon...

[/quote]that's in latest build (Version 0.9.24 Pre-release 10 build 2009-03-20 23:30:26)

unfortunately it's not working here - I click OK, nothing happens - doesnt seem to make any difference what I select

Cancel doesnt work either but [x] in the corner does and then a (hopefully) normal linked item is created

added to Mantis (674)

mantis.sqlnotes.net/view.php

Closing in on this thread... Is the new File link UI working well? Comments... positive or negative are welcomed

The book page: Link to Files, Folders and URLs documents this feature

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Closing in on this thread... Is the new File link UI working well? Comments... positive or negative are welcome[/quote]

mine has stopped showing - I see from that page that if I press Control it will show again - is this in options somewhere as well (the option to show it)?

if not (I couldnt find it but have problems seeing things at times!) it would be helpful at some stage.

Seems to be working perfectly here

>is this in options somewhere as well (the option to show it)?

Yes: Tools > Options > 1.3.6

Re: option to show dialogue on drag/drop of file in grid[quote=Pierre_Admin]

> is this in options somewhere as well (the option to show it)?

Yes: Tools > Options > 1.3.

[/quote]that is in the section 'Modes' ( no idea what that means)

would it make sense to have it somewhere with 1.5.6 / 1.5.7 (Show open-with for links / Create h.link on drag/drop)

. . guess who's just been searching for it . .

Seems to work well here. Thanks !

Hi guys,

I'm late to the party on this one, but on the list of adding methods (new top level item, sub item etc) it skips the one that is probably most useful from my angle (may be possible but havent seen a method yet)

If I drop a file on an item, I normally want it to be a field I can click on in that items row to bring up the relateed file. Eg if a task was "review functional spec" I would drag and drop the word file on top of it, a little 'W' icon or similar would tell me there is a related file which I click on to open it. Can do the same with URL's.

See attached file of my ToDoList screen, where I've setup a list of useful files and links. I don't need to see the path or filename, just a little icon to click on.

The main point I guess is that it would be a field of the item, not a separate item.

Any method of getting close to this or could we consider adding it?

cheers

[quote=markfoley]If I drop a file on an item, I normally want it to be a field I can click on in that items row to bring up the relateed file. Eg if a task was "review functional spec" I would drag and drop the word file on top of it, a little 'W' icon or similar would tell me there is a related file which I click on to open it. Can do the same with URL's.[/quote]

something along these lines:

if the dialog box had -

Item Text [ ] + File icon / or Link icon
File Link Saved to:- [drop down list of fields] and
Drop item as:- Current item

sounds very good to me :-)

I make it sound easy Pierre, dont I

I made improvements to the UI (see http://mantis.sqlnotes.net/view.php?id=725 ):

e.g. dropping 3 files onto the item BasketBall Stats will show:

will result in:

I updated Link to Files, Folders and URLs

I hope this help!

Seems quite nice to me... :)

In general the new file linking in 0.9.24 seems great to me, especially the drag and drop.

<ASIDE> I am using this in conjunction with the very nice file manager I use (Directory Opus). In Directory Opus, you can (among a myriad other excellent functions) keep a filtered list of recently-changed files. So when I'm doing something which generates a lot of changed or new files which I will subsequently want to be able to find again and use, I select and copy the names of the changed files and drop them into IQ. Result: I can easily manage the set of resources associated with a process or project, which previously I did using a horribly-complicated Excel spreadsheet with some moderately serious VBA incorporated within it. </ASIDE>

However, I'm a little bit uncertain how best to use file linking for existing references.

My main IQBase is an import from Ecco. I have a lot of file references which follow the two Ecco patterns, in which

either an item can be a FullFileName in IQ terms, such as
D:\R\Mod\IS443E Management Information Systems\Situational Applications Builder Evaluation Criteria.xls
or it can be slightly differently formatted, as in
Application Space.vsd (D:\Q\KIMSPAG\CITSA 2009 - Evaluating Situational Applications Builders)

In either case, Ecco recognises the item as having the form of a file link and in particular you can double-click to launch the item.

IQ does not automatically recognise file references. So I guess what I ought to do is to write a UDF associated with new and amended Items which looks to see whether they look like one of the two Ecco patterns, set the FileName and FilePath fields, also explicitly set an (un-write-protected) FullFileName (since this is only set automatically to FilePath&"\"&FileName as part of a drag-and-drop?) and then, hey presto!, I can launch the file using the FullFileName hyperlink.

Alternatively, IQ could perhaps be enhanced to spot file references when items which look like filenames are imported, added or amended, offering to set up the file link fields?

Yet another approach would be to have the same behaviour as in Ecco, which is that double-clicking an item which is a full file name launches it.

What are your views and/or advice, good people?

Mark Gregory, Rennes, France - GMT +1/+2; EST +6

> Alternatively, IQ could perhaps be enhanced to spot file references when items which look like filenames are imported, added or amended, offering to set up the file link fields?

I think it's a good idea. I wonder how would that work when you have lot's of these (importation). IQ would ask only once, for all imported items (seems better than ask for each one of them, depending on the quantity...) ?

cause this thread seems to be more debate, I moved bug reports to Bugs with 'File Link' dialog box