SID-01056: Need to get better handle on form data

Status:	Unanswered	TWiki version:	4.2.3	Perl version:	5.6
Category:	CategoryForms	Server OS:	Unix VMWARE	Last update:	14 years ago

I just inherited TWiki maintenance/development... Still in learning curve... Not looking for someone to write code for me here, but if you could help steer me to pertinent help text to read, that'd be great...

I'm trying to mod twiki to allow entry of software versions, and their corresponding support levels (example, Version 1.2 deprecated effective 12/31/2010, Version 1.3 supported thru 12/31/2014, etc.), when topic entered has this need. My users have a "graph-bar" representation of this info, split into quarters for each year...So I want to be able to collect this info from them at TOPIC DEFINITION, by giving them some input select lists for version number, date, and supported/deprecated, etc. Then, I'd want to call a Perl script, process these input values, return to the "definition" form, and write the subsequent html to the topic, as the aformentioned "version" info...

I am not understanding how to modify an existing form, and have it (if possible) do this... Breaking it down, is it possible for me to do this in the manner I've described (accept input fields, call Perl script, return with calculated tabular HTML)?

If not, I think it'd be possible to construct a separate form that's executed after the form to provide and subsequently append this info? further, though, I'm not understanding how to tell TWiki :

"build a selection list, and, instead of the standard definition form, use THIS one (the one that would have my mods)."

or... "after accepting all the input, if they select "yes I have versioning info to define", then display THAT form"...

My data (topic .txt files) currently has the FORM embedded... I've defined a new form, defined it to webpreferences, and changed one test topic to specify this form, but it's not invoking correctly...

Is there a better definition of the steps to make this work you can direct me to? I need to understand how this happens better first ( I think?)..

Next, I need to understand if I can in fact invoke a called Perl script from the existing definition form, pass it version & date info, calculate the resultant HTML table code, pass it back to the caller, and have the returned data written to the topic being defined...

sorry to be so verbose, but I'm trying to get some help understanding a little better, so I can ask better questions if needed... I don't need coding solutions, as I said, but any pointers would help...

Note I looked pretty extensively thru the Plugins, and Form doc, and I couldn't hit on what I was looking for... Any help would be appreciated, even if it's some better RTFM instructions...

thanks...

-- RoyHolliday - 2010-12-14

Discussion and Answer

Closing this question after more than 30 days of inactivity. Feel free to reopen if needed. Consider engaging one of the TWiki consultants if you need timely help. We invite you to get involved with the community, it is more likely you get community support if you support the open source project!

-- PeterThoeny - 2011-05-02

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