Views
Configuring a view
Improvements in View feature in COGNITUM 7.8.00
Views are windows into a data source; they determine which types of information end-users are able to access, browse on, and search for. Views are user-oriented: they are virtual data sets built from the data source and matching roles and needs. With this concept, COGNITUM end-users are provided with customized screens that do not necessarily sselect to the physical structure of the accessed data source. There can be as many views as possible to meet the end- users' needs.
Creating a view
Creating a view is necessary for end-users to view the application data and objects. Any application in the COGNITUM Console can be assigned new views.
In the COGNITUM Console, a click on the New View toolbar button automatically inserts the new View item in the Console tree.
Figure: New view creation
It is necessary to configure the new view, as documented in “Configuring a view”.
| NOTE |
|---|
| When a new view should inherit from most of the properties of an existing view, the duplicate function is a secure and quick way to create it. A right-click on a view in the tree gives access to the Copy command. With a right-click on the above Views item, the Paste command is available. The ctrl+c/ctrl+v shortcuts can be used too. A new label must be entered and further configuration is probably necessary as documented below. |
To add a view
- In the COGNITUM Console tree, click the Views item and click the New View toolbar button.
- Check that the new view item is automatically added in the tree. Select it to display the view property panel and configure the view properly.
Configuring a view
Configuring a view is necessary:
- After a new view has been created. It may need a few specific parameters to match the end-users’ needs.
- To review and update an existing view.
Definition
A view is assigned a Console label. It also requires document(s) and service(s) to handle data and forms to display it. The definition and the forms may be changed.
A click on a view in the tree opens its property tabs. The tab displayed by default is Definition.
Figure: View definition properties
Name: This is the name of the view. When first created, the View name must be replaced. A click in the cell allows to enter a new name. Non-alphanumerical characters and blank spaces are prohibited.
Icon: When a view requires an icon to be displayed in the end-user interface, the default icon can be changed for a custom one. The torch button makes it possible to browse and select another graphic object.
| NOTE |
|---|
| The Icon box is available for compatibility reasons with previous COGNITUM versions only viz. 4.5, 5.0 and 5.1. |
Preview: The graphic object specified in the Icon box is displayed in the Preview area.
Forms: This sub-tab makes it possible to choose the forms used for the view:
- Root Forms: A click on Insert displays the Form Selection box where to choose the form(s) which must show in the view.
- Action: For every root form, a click on the facing cell button displays the Build a Form Action dialog box. The Build a Form Action box is a wizard to define the service operation on the data used by the form, as described in “Standard form”.
- Default Form: When there are a number of root forms for the view, one of them must be chosen as the default display.
- DHTML: In this sub-tab, the resource(s) associated with the view can be selected.
- Available Resources: In the table, the Resources column lists all the resources used by the view. The Insert button opens the Resource Selection box to add a resource. In the table, the Action cell facing a resource can be clicked to select the associated form: all the forms of resource type are listed, as well as the forms of entry type when the resource targets an entry.
- Root Resources: It is the list of the resources displayed when a view is presented in navigation mode. When end-users select a resource, the corresponding form is called for the resource. The root resources are selected or deselected from the Available Resources list with the selection arrow buttons. The positioning arrow buttons in the Root Resources shift the vertical order of the resources in the end¬user interface.
- Default Resource: It is the resource displayed by default when opening the view. It must be one of the Root Resources items selected in the list box, whatever its order is.
A click on the Apply button validates the parameters.
To configure the view definition
- In the COGNITUM Console tree, select a view to display the default Definition tab.
- In the Name box, you can change the label of the view in the COGNITUM Console.
- In the Forms sub-tab, click Insert to select the form(s) for the view through the Form Selection box. Back in the Forms sub-tab, click the facing cell button of a form to define the action on the form in the Build a Form Action dialog box, as documented in “Standard form”.
- When necessary, specify the form displayed by default in Default Form.
- Click Apply to save your changes.
Properties
Customizing a view can be performed extensively through its properties.
The Properties tab displays the parameters stored in an entry.properties file under the COGNITUM-root/Server/webapps/application/WEBINF/conf/cdmO=calendra/cdmID=cdm/cdmAU=application/cdmAU=views/cdmUID=view folder.
Figure: View properties
Key: This column lists the view features. A click on a feature highlights it and allows to enter a new key. At the bottom of the table an empty line is ready to receive a new couple key/value. Deleting a key withdraws the line it belonged to.
| NOTE |
|---|
| For more information about additional keys, see the documentation corresponding to the application element or package (for example portal, Workflow, and so on) at COGNITUM-root/doc/index.html |
Value: It is the facing definition of the highlighted property. Some properties are granted default values. Changing a value is possible after clicking a standard value, or with another selection when in a list cell.
Table: Properties and default values
| View Property Key | Description | Default Value |
|---|---|---|
| applet.displayResource Type | Hides or shows resource types. Possible values are true or false. | true |
| applet.numeric.bound.max | When there are more returned results than specified in applet.numeric.bound.max, the results are split in folders. | 10 |
To configure the properties of a view
- In the COGNITUM Console tree, select the view you want to configure. Click the Properties tab.
- Click items in the Key column and double-click the facing items in the Value column to change them, or choose a value when in a list cell.
- Click Apply to validate your entries.
Deleting a View
COGNITUM makes it possible to delete a view easily and safely. The Delete command is accessible from a view context menu.
The Delete View message box pops up. Choosing Yes validates the deletion. COGNITUM automatically updates the views list when the view is deleted.
To delete a view
- In the COGNITUM Console tree or property view, click the view you want to delete.
- Choose Delete from the context menu.
- Validate the deletion in the warning box.
Improvements in View feature in COGNITUM 7.8.00
COGNITUM 7.8.00 brings a following set of improvements over previous Calendra, CDM and COGNITUM versions in View Features
Using WAF and FRM Forms in Console is explained in the document Application with new Features and Improvements in COGNITUM 7.8.
Manage ordering of forms under view is explained in the document Application with new Features and Improvements in COGNITUM 7.8.
Managing Categories in Forms is explained in the document Application with new Features and Improvements in COGNITUM 7.8.
Setting Form position under browser from console is explained in the document Application with new Features and Improvements in COGNITUM 7.8.