Tips for Twits» admin http://t.wits.sg WARNING: excessive use of this site will increase MP at the expense of HP Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:09:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Extracting email addresses from inbox http://t.wits.sg/2009/11/09/extracting-email-addresses-from-inbox/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/11/09/extracting-email-addresses-from-inbox/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:34:26 +0000 zwee http://t.wits.sg/?p=366 We had to setup a EDM/newsletter system for a client. He wanted to consolidated his and his staff email addresses. He sent me a few outlook PST files. We imported it into outlook and found that besides the few thousand emails in the contact list, there’s another few thousand more emails in different folders which held email addresses. I figured it would be easy to extract those emails.

Unfortunately, there’s no built in way of doing it in Outlook or Thunderbird. There’s a couple of paid solutions to extract emails from the inbox folders but I had to try it a few more times. After tinkering around with Outlook and Thunderbird, I found a way to extract emails through exporting to CSV.

Simple steps to get email addresses from inbox. These steps are for Office 2007

  1. Import emails into Outlook
  2. Export to CSV(DOS) (See Figure 1)
  3. Open with Excel
  4. Select the email column and copy into a new file.
  5. Save as CSV.
  6. You have it. Use it anywhere you like. CSV is supported for most applications.

Figure 1

Here’s the instructions to export to CSV file.

File > Import Export

Step 1: File > Import and Export

Step 2: Export to file

Step 2: Export to file

Step 2: Export to file

Step 3: Comma Separated Values (DOS)

Step 2: Export to file

Step 4: Select folder

Step 2: Export to file

Step 5: Export to CSV

]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/11/09/extracting-email-addresses-from-inbox/feed/ 0 Howto: Repackageable custom extension development in Magento – Part 8 – CRUD – Update http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-8-crud-update/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-8-crud-update/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:27:45 +0000 gaweee http://t.wits.sg/?p=186

Download the source for this entire series here!

CRUD – Update

Very similar to the Create phase, this phase basically requires the Form and Form Container blocks, and the controller to save them. Thats all!

  1. Repeat the file structure goodness: 
    app/
  etc/
    modules/
      - SavantDegrees_All.xml (Or what ever your company name might be)
  code/
    local/
      SavantDegrees/ (Or what ever your company name might be)
        Twits/ (Or whatever your module name might be)
          Block/
            Admin/
              - Main.php
              Main/
                - Grid.php
              - Edit.php
              Edit/
                - Form.php
              - New.php
              New/
                - Form.php
            - HelloWorld.php
          controllers/
            - AdminController.php
            - IndexController.php
          etc/
            - config.xml
          Helper/
            - Data.php
          Model/
            - Tip.php
            Mysql4/
              - Tip.php
              Tip/
                - Collection.php
          sql/
            twits_setup/
              - mysql4-install-0.2.0.php
              - mysql4-upgrade-0.1.0-0.2.0.php

    Here we’ve added the block for the Edit container and Form

  2. Looking at the Edit.php code: 
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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Block_Admin_Edit extends Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Widget_Form_Container
{
    public function __construct()
    {
        parent::__construct();
 
        $this->_blockGroup = 'twits';
        $this->_mode = 'edit';
        $this->_controller = 'admin';
 
        if( $this->getRequest()->getParam($this->_objectId) ) {
            $tip = Mage::getModel('twits/tip')
                ->load($this->getRequest()->getParam($this->_objectId));
            Mage::register('frozen_tip', $tip);
        }
    }
 
    public function getHeaderText()
    {
        return Mage::helper('twits')->__("Edit Tip'%s'", $this->htmlEscape(Mage::registry('frozen_tip')->getName()));
    }
}

    The additional code loads the right Tip data based on the Request parameter, then stores that data in the Mage registry. We’ll be using that data on the Form page again later to populate the form.
    Notice that the saving code is Mage::register and the retrieving code is Mage::registry

  3. Then the accompanying Edit/Form.php code 
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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Block_Admin_Edit_Form extends Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Widget_Form
{
	protected function _prepareForm()
    {
        $form = new Varien_Data_Form();
 
        $fieldset = $form->addFieldset('edit_tip', array('legend' => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tip Details')));
 
        $fieldset->addField('title', 'text', array(
            'name'      => 'title',
            'title'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Title'),
            'label'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Title'),
            'maxlength' => '250',
            'required'  => true,
        ));
 
        $fieldset->addField('author', 'text', array(
            'name'      => 'author',
            'title'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Author'),
            'label'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Author'),
            'maxlength' => '250',
            'required'  => true,
        ));
 
        $fieldset->addField('contents', 'textarea', array(
            'name'      => 'contents',
            'title'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Contents'),
            'label'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Contents'),
            'style'     => 'width: 98%; height: 200px;',
            'required'  => true,
        ));
 
 		$form->setMethod('post');
        $form->setUseContainer(true);
        $form->setId('edit_form');
        $form->setAction($this->getUrl('*/*/save'));
        $form->setValues(Mage::registry('frozen_tip')->getData());
 
        $this->setForm($form);
    }
}
  4. Then lastly the adminController with its editAction and saveAction to load and save the form respectively

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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_AdminController extends Mage_Adminhtml_Controller_Action
{
	public function indexAction()
    {
		$this->loadLayout()
			->_addContent($this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/admin_main'))
			->renderLayout();
    }
 
	public function deleteAction()
    {
        $tipId = $this->getRequest()->getParam('id', false);
 
        try {
            Mage::getModel('twits/tip')->setId($tipId)->delete();
            Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addSuccess(Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tip successfully deleted'));
            $this->getResponse()->setRedirect($this->getUrl('*/*/'));
 
            return;
        } catch (Exception $e){
            Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addError($e->getMessage());
        }
 
        $this->_redirectReferer();
    }
 
    public function newAction()
    {
        $this->loadLayout()
        ->_addContent($this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/admin_new'))
        ->renderLayout();
    }
 
    public function postAction()
    {
        if ($data = $this->getRequest()->getPost()) {
            $tip = Mage::getModel('twits/tip')->setData($data);
            try {
                $tip->save();
                Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addSuccess(Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tip successfully saved'));
                $this->getResponse()->setRedirect($this->getUrl('*/*/'));
                return;
            } catch (Exception $e){
                Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addError($e->getMessage());
            }
        }
        $this->getResponse()->setRedirect($this->getUrl('*/*/'));
        return;
    }
 
    public function editAction()
    {
        $this->loadLayout();
        $this->_addContent($this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/admin_edit'));
        $this->renderLayout();
    }
 
    public function saveAction()
    {
        $tipId = $this->getRequest()->getParam('id', false);
        if ($data = $this->getRequest()->getPost()) {
            $tip = Mage::getModel('twits/tip')->load($tipId)->addData($data);
            try {
                $tip ->setId($tipId)->save();
 
                Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addSuccess(Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tip successfully saved'));
                $this->getResponse()->setRedirect($this->getUrl('*/*/'));
                return;
            } catch (Exception $e){
                Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addError($e->getMessage());
            }
        }
        $this->_redirectReferer();
    }
}
  5. Ok i admit the code is a tad inefficient. We have 2 separate functions that both does save. In fact, postAction and saveAction only differ that saveAction loads the right record via the ->load($tipId) function. Thats separates a CREATE from an UPDATE request.

    And we’re finally finally finally done! To test out the edit function, simply click on any row from the Grid! Thats assuming of course that you actually have some data.
    Magento Admin Form

» For frontend stuff, carry on … Fontend – List

Otherwise, if it works for you, leave a comment! =)

]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-8-crud-update/feed/ 18 Howto: Repackageable custom extension development in Magento – Part 7 – CRUD – Create http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-7-crud-create/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-7-crud-create/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:27:36 +0000 gaweee http://t.wits.sg/?p=182

Download the source for this entire series here!

CRUD – Create

  1. More file structure goodness: 
    app/
  etc/
    modules/
      - SavantDegrees_All.xml (Or what ever your company name might be)
  code/
    local/
      SavantDegrees/ (Or what ever your company name might be)
        Twits/ (Or whatever your module name might be)
          Block/
            Admin/
              - Main.php
              Main/
                - Grid.php
              - New.php
              New/
                - Form.php
            - HelloWorld.php
          controllers/
            - AdminController.php
            - IndexController.php
          etc/
            - config.xml
          Helper/
            - Data.php
          Model/
            - Tip.php
            Mysql4/
              - Tip.php
              Tip/
                - Collection.php
          sql/
            twits_setup/
              - mysql4-install-0.2.0.php
              - mysql4-upgrade-0.1.0-0.2.0.php

    Here we’ve added the block for the New container and Form

  2. Looking at the New.php code: 
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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Block_Admin_New extends Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Widget_Form_Container
{
    public function __construct()
    {
        parent::__construct();
 
        $this->_blockGroup = 'twits';
        $this->_mode = 'new';
        $this->_controller = 'admin';
    }
 
    public function getHeaderText()
    {
        return Mage::helper('twits')->__('Add New Tip');
    }
}
  3. Then the New/Form.php code 
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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Block_Admin_New_Form extends Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Widget_Form
{
    protected function _prepareForm()
    {
        $form = new Varien_Data_Form();
 
        $fieldset = $form->addFieldset('new_tip', array('legend' => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tip Details')));
 
        $fieldset->addField('title', 'text', array(
            'name'      => 'title',
            'title'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Title'),
            'label'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Title'),
            'maxlength' => '250',
            'required'  => true,
        ));
 
        $fieldset->addField('author', 'text', array(
            'name'      => 'author',
            'title'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Author'),
            'label'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Author'),
            'maxlength' => '250',
            'required'  => true,
        ));
 
        $fieldset->addField('contents', 'textarea', array(
            'name'      => 'contents',
            'title'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Contents'),
            'label'     => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Contents'),
            'style'     => 'width: 98%; height: 200px;',
            'required'  => true,
        ));
 
        $form->setMethod('post');
        $form->setUseContainer(true);
        $form->setId('edit_form');
        $form->setAction($this->getUrl('*/*/post'));
 
        $this->setForm($form);
    }
}

    Just like your listings/grid page, the New.php and Form.php classes are the Form Container and Form respectively. So the Form Container automagically creates the form. Did I mention why containers are good? They come with nice pretty buttons! (Save and Back).

  4. Then lastly the adminController with its newAction and postAction to load and save the form respectively

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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_AdminController extends Mage_Adminhtml_Controller_Action
{
	public function indexAction()
    {
		$this->loadLayout()
			->_addContent($this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/admin_main'))
			->renderLayout();
    }
 
	public function deleteAction()
    {
        $tipId = $this->getRequest()->getParam('id', false);
 
        try {
            Mage::getModel('twits/tip')->setId($tipId)->delete();
            Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addSuccess(Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tip successfully deleted'));
            $this->getResponse()->setRedirect($this->getUrl('*/*/'));
 
            return;
        } catch (Exception $e){
            Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addError($e->getMessage());
        }
 
        $this->_redirectReferer();
    }
 
    public function newAction()
    {
        $this->loadLayout()
        ->_addContent($this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/admin_new'))
        ->renderLayout();
    }
 
    public function postAction()
    {
        if ($data = $this->getRequest()->getPost()) {
            $tip = Mage::getModel('twits/tip')->setData($data);
            try {
                $tip->save();
                Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addSuccess(Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tip was successfully saved'));
                $this->getResponse()->setRedirect($this->getUrl('*/*/'));
                return;
            } catch (Exception $e){
                Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addError($e->getMessage());
            }
        }
        $this->getResponse()->setRedirect($this->getUrl('*/*/'));
        return;
    }
}
  5. Reward yourself for your lightning fast copy-and-paste kung foo! Whats happening though?
    When the script receives a call newAction, it’ll show the form to enter data. The data is posted to the postAction method. That method creates an instance of the model, sets the post data into the model, saves it then redirects it back to the indexAction. Did i mention automagically? Yes, thats why we had to learn so much of the Magento code just to write this simple tutorial. The sql is automagically generated and run and the form is automagically created! *sheds a tear*

    Again, your well deserved create form can be found by clicking on the “Add New Tip” button from the Grid!

» Just 1 more … CRUD – Update

]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-7-crud-create/feed/ 6 Howto: Repackageable custom extension development in Magento – Part 6 – CRUD – Delete http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-6-crud-delete/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-6-crud-delete/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:22:25 +0000 gaweee http://t.wits.sg/?p=178

Download the source for this entire series here!

CRUD – Delete

  1. The simplest step thus far, add a new function to your AdminController.php 
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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_AdminController extends Mage_Adminhtml_Controller_Action
{
    public function indexAction()
    {
		$this->loadLayout()
			->_addContent($this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/admin_main'))
			->renderLayout();
    }
 
    public function deleteAction()
    {
        $tipId = $this->getRequest()->getParam('id', false);
 
        try {
            Mage::getModel('twits/tip')->setId($tipId)->delete();
            Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addSuccess(Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tip successfully deleted'));
            $this->getResponse()->setRedirect($this->getUrl('*/*/'));
 
            return;
        } catch (Exception $e){
            Mage::getSingleton('adminhtml/session')->addError($e->getMessage());
        }
 
        $this->_redirectReferer();
    }
}

» Almost there … CRUD – Create

]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-6-crud-delete/feed/ 1 Howto: Repackageable custom extension development in Magento – Part 5 – CRUD – Retrieve http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-5-crud-retrieve/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-5-crud-retrieve/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:18:54 +0000 gaweee http://t.wits.sg/?p=173

Download the source for this entire series here!

CRUD – Retrieve

  1. Lets add a new block to the file structure 
    app/
  etc/
    modules/
      - SavantDegrees_All.xml (Or what ever your company name might be)
  code/
    local/
      SavantDegrees/ (Or what ever your company name might be)
        Twits/ (Or whatever your module name might be)
          Block/
            Admin/
              - Main.php
              Main/
                - Grid.php
            - HelloWorld.php
          controllers/
            - AdminController.php
            - IndexController.php
          etc/
            - config.xml
          Helper/
            - Data.php
          Model/
            - Tip.php
            Mysql4/
              - Tip.php
              Tip/
                - Collection.php
          sql/
            twits_setup/
              - mysql4-install-0.2.0.php
              - mysql4-upgrade-0.1.0-0.2.0.php

    We’ll create folder called Admin to store all the admin related blocks. Inside we’ll have a Main.php file that contains the Grid Container. Why do we need a grid container? To put the title and Create button!

  2. The Main.php code

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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Block_Admin_Main extends Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Widget_Grid_Container
{
    public function __construct()
    {
        $this->_addButtonLabel = Mage::helper('twits')->__('Add New Tip');
        parent::__construct();
 
        $this->_blockGroup = 'twits';
        $this->_controller = 'admin_main';
        $this->_headerText = Mage::helper('twits')->__('Tips(s)');
    }
}

    Here you see a first use of the helper, which will assist in translation

  3. The Grid.php itself

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    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Block_Admin_Main_Grid extends Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Widget_Grid
{
 
    public function __construct()
    {
        parent::__construct();
        $this->setId('tipsGrid');
        $this->_controller = 'twits';
    }
 
    protected function _prepareCollection()
    {
        $model = Mage::getModel('twits/tip');
        $collection = $model->getCollection();
		$this->setCollection($collection);
 
        return parent::_prepareCollection();
    }
 
 
 
    protected function _prepareColumns()
    {
 
        $this->addColumn('tip_id', array(
            'header'        => Mage::helper('twits')->__('ID'),
            'align'         => 'right',
            'width'         => '50px',
            'filter_index'  => 'dt.tip_id',
            'index'         => 'tip_id',
        ));
 
        $this->addColumn('name', array(
            'header'        => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Title'),
            'align'         => 'left',
            'width'         => '150px',
            'filter_index'  => 'dt.title',
            'index'         => 'title',
            'type'          => 'text',
            'truncate'      => 50,
            'escape'        => true,
        ));
 
        $this->addColumn('tags', array(
            'header'    	=> Mage::helper('twits')->__('Author'),
            'align'         => 'left',
            'filter_index'  => 'dt.author',
            'index'    	 	=> 'author',
            'type'     	 	=> 'text',
            'escape'		=> true,
        ));
 
        $this->addColumn('summary', array(
            'header'        => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Contents'),
            'align'         => 'left',
            'filter_index'  => 'dt.contents',
            'index'         => 'contents',
            'type'          => 'text',
            'escape'        => false,
        ));
 
        $this->addColumn('action',
            array(
                'header'    => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Action'),
                'width'     => '150px',
                'type'      => 'action',
                'getter'	=> 'getTipId',
                'actions'   => array(
                    array(
                        'caption' => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Edit'),
                        'url'     => array(
                            'base'=>'*/*/edit'
                         ),
                         'field'   => 'id'
                    ),
                    array(
                        'caption' => Mage::helper('twits')->__('Delete'),
                        'url'     => array(
                            'base'=>'*/*/delete'
                         ),
                         'field'   => 'id'
                    )
                ),
                'filter'    => false,
                'sortable'  => false
        ));
 
        return parent::_prepareColumns();
    }
 
    public function getRowUrl($row)
    {
        return $this->getUrl('*/*/edit', array(
            'id' => $row->getTipId(),
        ));
    }
}

    If you scrutinize the code (which i’d advise against), you’ll see most of the code is geared towards the setup of the grid columns and the edit/delete urls i’ll eventually call to perform the other CRUD functions.
    But whats going on? Where do we use this code? The main code (being a Grid_Container automatically adds the child Grid code associated to it. By child we’re talking about the Grid.php file in the Main folder. The folder’s name follows the file. So if you changed the folder’s name to Main2, it wouldnt work. That being said, you can just put any block code in the folder and expect it to run. The reason why this all works now is cause the geniuses at Magento already did alot of work to call the Grid child to run. They have no super time travel powers to tell what else you’re gonna put in there. So, it simply wont work (yet).

  4. Now lets make our adminController.php use that block instead of Hello world. 
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9

    class SavantDegrees_Twits_AdminController extends Mage_Adminhtml_Controller_Action
{
    public function indexAction()
    {
		$this->loadLayout()
			->_addContent($this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/admin_main'))
			->renderLayout();
    }
}

    Well it says createBlock doesnt it? What do you think it does? twits/admin_main as always refers to the twits namespace and the admin/main.php block file.

  5. Viola! Your very very very hard earned grid!
    Magento Admin Grid

» Anytime now … Part 6 – CRUD – Delete

]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-5-crud-retrieve/feed/ 8 Howto: Repackageable custom extension development in Magento – Part 4 – Model http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-4-model/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-4-model/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:14:39 +0000 gaweee http://t.wits.sg/?p=167

Download the source for this entire series here!

Prepare the model

  1. Back to the file structure drawing board 
    app/
  etc/
    modules/
      - SavantDegrees_All.xml (Or what ever your company name might be)
  code/
    local/
      SavantDegrees/ (Or what ever your company name might be)
        Twits/ (Or whatever your module name might be)
          Block/
            - HelloWorld.php
          controllers/
            - AdminController.php
            - IndexController.php
          etc/
            - config.xml
          Helper/
            - Data.php
          Model/
            - Tip.php
            Mysql4/
              - Tip.php
              Tip/
                - Collection.php
          sql/
            Twits_setup/
              - mysql4-install-0.2.0.php
              - mysql4-upgrade-0.1.0-0.2.0.php

    Notice the new folder Model and the associated files inside. Lets clarify:
    Model/Tip.php is the logical model that holds code regarding business logic and relations.
    Model/Mysql4/Tip.php is the data implementation model that associates the model with the table and its primary key.
    Model/Mysql4/Tip/Collection.php is the data implementation model of a collection of Tip. Similar to a recordset/resultset in .Net/Java. This will be used with a Grid later.

  2. Even more config.xml magic. Yay! More hairloss! 
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
<config>
    <modules>
        <SavantDegrees_Twits>
            <version>0.2.0</version>
        </SavantDegrees_Twits>
    </modules>
    <global>
        <models>
            <twits>
                <class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Model</class>
                <resourceModel>twits_mysql4</resourceModel>
            </twits>
            <twits_mysql4>
                <class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Model_Mysql4</class>
                <entities>
                    <tip>
                        <table>tips</table>
                    </tip>
                </entities>
            </twits_mysql4>
        </models>
	<blocks>
            <twits>
                <class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Block</class>
            </twits>
        </blocks>
         <helpers>
            <twits><class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Helper</class></twits>
        </helpers>
        <resources>
            <twits_setup>
                <setup>
                    <module>SavantDegrees_Twits</module>
                </setup>
                <connection>
                    <use>core_setup</use>
                </connection>
            </twits_setup>
            <twits_write>
                <connection>
                    <use>core_write</use>
                </connection>
            </twits_write>
            <twits_read>
                <connection>
                    <use>core_read</use>
                </connection>
            </twits_read>
        </resources>
    </global>
    <adminhtml>
        <menu>
            <twits translate="title" module="twits">
                <title>Twits</title>
                <sort_order>100</sort_order>
                <action>twits/admin</action>
            </twits>
        </menu>
    </adminhtml>
    <frontend>
        <routers>
            <SavantDegrees_Twits>
                <use>standard</use>
                <args>
                    <module>SavantDegrees_Twits</module>
                    <frontName>twits</frontName>
                </args>
            </SavantDegrees_Twits>
        </routers>
    </frontend>
</config>

    The global > models fragment define the tips table, the tip model and its resourceModel that we will be using shortly.

  3. Now for the model/Tip.php code: 
    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Model_Tip extends Mage_Core_Model_Abstract
{
 
    protected function _construct()
    {
        $this->_init('twits/tip');
    }
}

    Whats the point you ask!? The code does nothing but binds the model to the Twits namespace under the model twits. In Java that line would have been package Twits;. *i assume/think/foretold*
    (quickly moving on…)

  4. Then Model/Mysql4/Tip.php 
    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Model_Mysql4_Tip extends Mage_Core_Model_Mysql4_Abstract
{
    protected function _construct()
    {
        $this->_init('twits/tip', 'tip_id');
    }
}

    The code above tells Magento to hunt for the twits application’s twits table in the configuration. Yes i know the names are confusing now. Lets say instead of twits/tip it is twits/foo. In that case the system will find the configuration file associated with twits (which is our app/code/local/SavantDegrees/Twits/etc/config.xml), and look under config > global > models > twits_mysql4 > entities > foo to figure out its configuration instructions. You’ll see next that we’ll request for the table from that same configuration file. Capiche?
    As a resourceModel, the code binds the model to a underlying Mysql4 table.

  5. Lastly, Model/Mysql4/Tip/Collection.php 
    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Model_Mysql4_Tip_Collection extends Varien_Data_Collection_Db
{
    protected $_tipTable;
 
    public function __construct()
    {
        $resources = Mage::getSingleton('core/resource');
        parent::__construct($resources->getConnection('twits_read'));
        $this->_tipTable= $resources->getTableName('twits/tip');
 
        $this->_select->from(
        		array('tip'=>$this->_tipTable),
 		       	array('*')
        		);
        $this->setItemObjectClass(Mage::getConfig()->getModelClassName('twits/tip'));
    }
}

    Basically the model files created at this phase are simply trying to tie the model (singular and collection) to the underlying Mysql resource. The entire mechanism is half tied in the config.xml table declaration, the model individual instructions (from identifying the namespace to actually declaring the primary key of the table)

  6. Viola. Models are ready

» Arent we there yet? Part 5 – CRUD – Retrieve ]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-4-model/feed/ 5 Howto: Repackageable custom extension development in Magento – Part 3 – Database http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-3-database/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-3-database/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:12:18 +0000 gaweee http://t.wits.sg/?p=164

Download the source for this entire series here!

Prepare the database

Next we’ll create the installation script that installs the twits table into the database.

  1. Once again, we begin with updating the file structure 
    app/
  etc/
    modules/
      - SavantDegrees_All.xml (Or what ever your company name might be)
  code/
    local/
      SavantDegrees/ (Or what ever your company name might be)
        Twits/ (Or whatever your module name might be)
          Block/
            - HelloWorld.php
          controllers/
            - AdminController.php
            - IndexController.php
          etc/
            - config.xml
          Helper/
            - Data.php
          sql/
            twits_setup/
              - mysql4-install-0.2.0.php
              - mysql4-upgrade-0.1.0-0.2.0.php

    We simply included a sql folder that will house the eventual table creation sql code.

  2. Next up, updating the config.xml again. This time to add the setup declarations. 
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
<config>
    <modules>
        <SavantDegrees_Twits>
            <version>0.2.0</version>
        </SavantDegrees_Twits>
    </modules>
    <global>
	<blocks>
            <twits>
                <class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Block</class>
            </twits>
        </blocks>
         <helpers>
            <twits><class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Helper</class></twits>
        </helpers>
        <resources>
            <twits_setup>
                <setup>
                    <module>SavantDegrees_Twits</module>
                </setup>
                <connection>
                    <use>core_setup</use>
                </connection>
            </twits_setup>
            <twits_write>
                <connection>
                    <use>core_write</use>
                </connection>
            </twits_write>
            <twits_read>
                <connection>
                    <use>core_read</use>
                </connection>
            </twits_read>
        </resources>
    </global>
    <adminhtml>
        <menu>
            <twits translate="title" module="twits">
                <title>Twits</title>
                <sort_order>100</sort_order>
                <action>twits/admin</action>
            </twits>
        </menu>
    </adminhtml>
    <frontend>
        <routers>
            <SavantDegrees_Twits>
                <use>standard</use>
                <args>
                    <module>SavantDegrees_Twits</module>
                    <frontName>twits</frontName>
                </args>
            </SavantDegrees_Twits>
        </routers>
    </frontend>
</config>

    Here we’ve added a global > resources section that tells the setup script the folder for installation. We’ve also changed the version number to 0.2.0. When the page is initiated and Magento detects that the version has been upgraded, it will run the appropriate install script.

  3. Lastly the install script itself: mysql4-install-0.2.0.php 
    <?php
$installer = $this;
$installer->startSetup();
 
$installer->run("
CREATE TABLE {$this->getTable('tips')} (
  `tip_id` int(10) unsigned NOT NULL auto_increment,
  `title` varchar(250) NOT NULL default '',
  `author` varchar(250) default NULL,
  `contents` text,
  PRIMARY KEY  (`tip_id`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8;
  ");
 
$installer->endSetup();
  4. Copy the same file contents to mysql4-upgrade-0.1.0-0.2.0.php. Why? because the code above is correct. But since this HOWTO is going through the phases in version 0.1, 0.2, and etc. Magento has already a record of twit_setup in its core_resource table bound to the previous version of 0.1 (its first run). So what we need now is a upgrading script instead of an installer. But if/when you do package your extension, you shouldn’t need the upgrade code. Just install straight to version 0.2 (or higher)
  5. Once again, wake up the Magento installer by logging into the admin backend, System > Configuration > Advanced. Click on Save Config. Clear your cache at /var/cache too just to be sure.
  6. Check to see if your table is created.
  7. Once your table is created, you can delete the mysql4-upgrade-0.1.0-0.2.0.php file. As explained above, you dont need it anymore!

» More Intangibles! … Part 4 – Model

]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-3-database/feed/ 9 Howto: Repackageable custom extension development in Magento – Part 2 – Admin Controller http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-2-admin-controller/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-2-admin-controller/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:09:12 +0000 gaweee http://t.wits.sg/?p=161

Download the source for this entire series here!

Create the administrative complement

Next we’ll create the administration controller and configuration to achieve the https://127.0.0.1/magento/index.php/twits/admin reservation. This took me a long time to figure out how to do nicely.

  1. We’ll begin by updating the adding 2 new files (controller and helper) for the purpose of the Hello world in the admin site 
    app/
  etc/
    modules/
      - SavantDegrees_All.xml (Or what ever your company name might be)
  code/
    local/
      SavantDegrees/ (Or what ever your company name might be)
        Twits/ (Or whatever your module name might be)
          Block/
            - HelloWorld.php
          controllers/
            - AdminController.php
            - IndexController.php
          etc/
            - config.xml
          Helper/
            - Data.php
  2. Then we obviously create the adminController.php
    We’ll make the admin page reuse the same Hello world block that we’ve created in Phase 1.

    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_AdminController extends Mage_Adminhtml_Controller_Action
{
    public function indexAction()
    {
		$this->loadLayout()
			->_addContent($this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/helloWorld'))
			->renderLayout();
    }
}

    Note that this controller extends Mage_Adminhtml_Controller_Action instead. This enforces security and loads the admin layout for this controller instead of the frontend version. With this done, you can now visit https://127.0.0.1/magento/index.php/twits/admin to see the page in action. Again, this produces our ubiquitous Hello world. You’d probably figured out by now that /twits refers to our frontend controller reservation by our config.xml and then /admin refers to the adminController that we’ve just created. Now you can try https://127.0.0.1/magento/index.php/twits/admin/index to see the indexAction method being called. Try it with other action names!

  3. Next we’ll do the config.xml magic that allows us to use https://127.0.0.1/magento/index.php/admin/twits for the administration. 
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
<config>
    <modules>
        <SavantDegrees_Twits>
            <version>0.1.0</version>
        </SavantDegrees_Twits>
    </modules>
    <global>
         <helpers>
            <twits><class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Helper</class></twits>
        </helpers>
	<blocks>
            <twits>
                <class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Block</class>
            </twits>
        </blocks>
    </global>
    <adminhtml>
        <menu>
            <twits translate="title" module="twits">
                <title>Twits</title>
                <sort_order>100</sort_order>
                <action>twits/admin</action>
            </twits>
        </menu>
    </adminhtml>
    <frontend>
        <routers>
            <SavantDegrees_Twits>
                <use>standard</use>
                <args>
                    <module>SavantDegrees_Twits</module>
                    <frontName>twits</frontName>
                </args>
            </SavantDegrees_Twits>
        </routers>
    </frontend>
</config>

    What’ changed?

    • The global > helper > [module] fragment defines the helper class that will help our future translation. We’ll be seeing the code for that shortly.
    • The adminhtml > menu > [module] fragment allows us to create the menu to access the twits/admin page. This is vital for version 1.3 onwards as the menu generates the necessary url key to access the page.
  4. And finally the helper Data.php file 
    <?php
class SavantDegrees_Twits_Helper_Data extends Mage_Core_Helper_Abstract
{
}

    Why bother? Its a quirk of Magento to try to translate the menu. So we NEED this helper. Otherwise Magento goes looking for a Mage_Twits_Helper_Data class. Which obviously doesnt exist! You could use the helper from existing Magento classes, but then you could use ALOT of stuff from Magento classes. And if you’re reading this tutorial, you’re obviously arent ready.

  5. When you’re done, go flush the cache by accessing System > Cache Management > Flush Magento Cache in the admin system. Then check out the new Twit menu item in the administration menu bar!

» Moving along … Part 3 – Database

]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento-part-2-admin-controller/feed/ 25 Howto: Repackageable custom extension development in Magento http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento/ http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:07:25 +0000 gaweee http://t.wits.sg/?p=159 Magento needs no explaning, but it does need a shitload of proper developers education. So much that our team spent a good amount of time trying to learn how to develop on the damn thing. So heres a synthesized description of our efforts. We’re breaking up this HOWTO into a few segments into increasing orders of complexity and integration.

Download the source for this entire series here!

Let us begin …

Setup Module Environment and Helloworld

We’re trying to achieve a proof of concept here to describe how the file structure, namespaces and config files interplay to achieve a Hello world message

  1. Create your directory structure! Our NEW company name is Savant Degrees! and our module shall be called….. Twits (for a lack of an imagination). The whole module (well, almost) should rest in the /app/code/local> folder. So lets first create the following folder structure. For a hello world module, you only need a config file, a controller and a block. Ergo… 
    app/
  etc/
    modules/
      - SavantDegrees_All.xml (Or what ever your company name might be)
  code/
    local/
      SavantDegrees/ (Or what ever your company name might be)
        Twits/ (Or whatever your module name might be)
          Block/
            - HelloWorld.php
          controllers/
            - IndexController.php
          etc/
            - config.xml
  2. Create your config.xml file. Thats the crux of the whole module. 
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
<config>
    <modules>
        <SavantDegrees_Twits>
            <version>0.1.0</version>
        </SavantDegrees_Twits>
    </modules>
    <global>
        <blocks>
            <twits>
                <class>SavantDegrees_Twits_Block</class>
            </twits>
        </blocks>
    </global>
    <frontend>
        <routers>
            <SavantDegrees_Twits>
                <use>standard</use>
                <args>
                    <module>SavantDegrees_Twits</module>
                    <frontName>twits</frontName>
                </args>
            </SavantDegrees_Twits>
        </routers>
    </frontend>
</config>

    Let me explain this step a little…

    The modules > [module] > version number allows Magento to track when your module is upgraded. We’ll be seeing a version of that shortly.
    The global > blocks > [module] define the Block resources that are available under your package. We’ll be using this to generate a Hello world shortly
    The frontend > routers fragment define how the module can be access. The current code allows the block to be access via https://127.0.0.1/magento/index.php/twits

  3. Create your IndexController.php file. Its as simple as: 
    class SavantDegrees_Twits_IndexController extends Mage_Core_Controller_Front_Action
{
 
    public function indexAction()
    {
	$this->loadLayout();
	$this->getLayout()
		->getBlock('content')->append(
			$this->getLayout()->createBlock('twits/helloWorld')
    	);
        $this->renderLayout();
    }
}

    More Explanation: The twits/index refers to the index block inside the Twits module, which is defined in the config file above. We’re trying to put its contents inside the layout.

  4. Lastly, we’ll create the Index.php Block: 
    class SavantDegrees_Twits_Block_HelloWorld extends Mage_Core_Block_Template
{
	protected function _toHtml()
	{
		return 'Hello world';
	}
}

    You DO understand SOME PHP don’t you?

  5. Finally, we activate the module by creating the file SavantDegrees_All.xml file 
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
<config>
    <modules>
        <SavantDegrees_Twits>
            <active>true</active>
            <codePool>local</codePool>
        </SavantDegrees_Twits>
    </modules>
</config>
  6. Wake up the Magento installer by logging into the admin backend, System > Configuration > Advanced > Advanced. Click on Save Config. Clear your cache at /var/cache too just to be sure.

Tada! Navigate to https://127.0.0.1/magento/index.php/twits to see your well deserved Hello World!

» Next … Part 2 – Admin Controller

]]> http://t.wits.sg/2009/03/31/howto-repackageable-custom-extension-development-in-magento/feed/ 12