Data Dictionary, clean repository questions

[zulu]

Hi everyone,

I've been monkeying around a lot lately with custom data models, and I've found it's generally pretty clear how it all hangs together.  I started by a static model extension and moved on to using the Model Designer addon from BeCPG which seems targeted at dynamic model changes.  That designer seems pretty good, but it's given me a few new ways to shoot myself in the foot too.  I'm good at that!

1.  I had published a new model in the data dictionary which seemed to be behaving properly.  I then tried adding another model based on the first with a few changes.  Immediately thereafter everything basically quit working.  Upon restart, alfresco webapp showed complaints about duplicate namespaces referring to the namespace from my first model (repeated in the second).  So it seems clear I need to either update or remove the second model that I added.  How do I go about doing this when Alfresco won't start though?  Can I find the document in alf_data and remove/modify it directly?  Is there a recognized way to clear any custom models in the Data Dictionary?  I had been verifying my models using org.alfresco.repo.dictionary.TestModel when they were static models; is there a way to basically verify all custom models together?

2.  With all the model testing I've done, I've added data that uses things I no longer want in my model.  How are subtractive model changes handled in Alfresco?  Do you have to remove any content that uses the removed elements?  Is there a clever way to do that?  In a previous DM system I'd go hack the database but I really don't want to do that if I can avoid it.

3.  At some point I imagine I'll be happy with the data model and essentially want to slick the whole repository.  I've done alot of googling, but I can't seem to find a procedure for doing that.  Any advice on where to look or how to basically reset my Alfresco instance at a data level?

Have had some great advice from here, and as always, appreciate any and all feedback.

Cheers,
Chuck

[jpotts]

Hi, Chuck,

So it seems clear I need to either update or remove the second model that I added. How do I go about doing this when Alfresco won't start though?

This is precisely why dynamically loaded models make me nervous. It seems easy to create a situation, like you've done, where you are in a catch-22 of having screwed up your model, but the screwed up model won't let the repository start up such that you can correct the problem. Unfortunately, all I have is sympathy without a solution.

With all the model testing I've done, I've added data that uses things I no longer want in my model. How are subtractive model changes handled in Alfresco? Do you have to remove any content that uses the removed elements? Is there a clever way to do that? In a previous DM system I'd go hack the database but I really don't want to do that if I can avoid it.

Subtractive model changes are tricky. In short, yes, you have to remove content that uses those elements. Especially if you have defined mandatory aspects and you are removing those aspects from your model–you'll want to remove those aspects from the objects before you make your model change. You asked for a clever way to make those changes. I find server-side JavaScript to be handy for this. You can go old school and run it using "Execute Script" but my preferred method these days is to use the JavaScript Console from Share Extras.

Any advice on where to look or how to basically reset my Alfresco instance at a data level?

The key is to always reset both your database and your data directory. I have a set of shell scripts I use to stay productive. They are:
- alf-clear-data.sh: Drops the database, creates a new database, deletes everything under my alf_data directory.
- alf-switch.sh: Switches between Alfresco versions by un-linking/re-linking the appropriate alfresco and share WARs into Tomcat, clearing out Tomcat temp/work, and bringing in the appropriate extensions directory into $TOMCAT_HOME/shared/classes
- alf-clean-webapps.sh: Blows away and re-expands the alfresco and share WARs

Hope that helps,

Jeff

[zulu]

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate your response.  The first case isn't too big a deal as I'm still determining the proper data model in an exploratory ALfresco instance.  Being able to reset and drop in my previous versions is no big deal as I have no data I want to keep.  I do wonder what would happen should this occur in a production environment.  Full restore from backup I suppose.  I will certainly be more careful in the future with dynamic model changes and have warned others in my group accordingly.

As far as dropping and recreating the database, I assume db_remove.sql and then db_setup.sql are what's used, but I confess I haven't tried them yet.  Your scripts you mention sound useful, I'll probably create similar ones.

Again, thanks.

cheers,
Chuck