Library status

[jfilip]

I'm wondering what the development status of the library is.

I'm trying to develop a client interface with Alfresco and am having some serious show-stopping issues related to the library code.

I recently downloaded a nightly snapshot of the repository recently and it included updates to the 'old' library code (which is what I'm using for browsing).  However there is a missing file in the 'old' library code that is rendering my usage of Categories null and void (an important component of what I'm trying to achieve):

/alfresco/type/Classification.php doesn't exist and is required by /alfresco/ClassificationService.php when using the getChildCategories() method.  ALSO, /alfresco/ClassificationService.php is calling a method from /alfresco/webservice/WebServiceUtils.php that doesn't exists: getCategorySOAPValue()

So, has all work stopped on this old code?  Does that missing file exist somewhere?  What about the missing method?  Does the 'new' code support these features anywhere?

[rwetherall]

Hi,

Your best approach will be to take the newer PHP library.

The newer API does not have full coverage for all the features, but it does give you access to the underlying web service clients so these can be used in the mean time whilst we develop out the main API.

It is the plan, in the very near future, to move the current PHP library off the forge into svn HEAD.  There will also be other work done to improve our PHP capabilities, including looking at embedding PHP scripting and templating into the repository itself and providing integrations for some popular PHP products.

In short the PHP library will continue to be developed and improved.

Cheers,
Roy

[jfilip]

Thanks for the nudge in the right direction.

With the help of your Wiki docs on the web services interface and using the existing classes as an example I'm creating a new file, /Service/Classification.php and placing the appropriate hooks into /Service/WebService/WebServiceFactory.php and /Service/Session.php.

In fact, when I'm done, I'd be willing to share what I've got back with the community.

[rwetherall]

That sounds great!

When you are done if you could create a task in Jira with the code or send it to me directly.  Then we can review it and try and roll it into the main code line.

Many thanks for your help,

Roy

[jfilip]

Hey,

I finally got around to submitting the code I wrote to the tracker.  Here's the URL for the patch:

http://forge.alfresco.com/tracker/index.php?func=detail&aid=9&group_id=7&atid=115

[rwetherall]

Hi,

That's great, thank you for your efforts.

I'll review it and push it into the main code line.  

The forge project is effectively frozen for now, so if you want the latest version of the PHP library then the man Alfresco CVS HEAD is the place to get it.  You'll find all the code in the PHP SDK module, along with the work im currently doing to embed PHP scripting and templating support directly into the repository.

If your interested in continuing to contribute to this area of Alfresco then drop me an email and we'll have a conversation.

Cheers,
Roy