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TWiki Meta Data
Topic data not editable from main freeform text box, stored in name/value META variable pairs
Overview
TWikiMetaData uses META variables to store topic data that's separate from the main free-form content. This includes program-generated info like FileAttachment data, and user-defined Form Template info.
Meta Data Syntax
- Format is the same as in TWikiVariables, except all fields have a key.
- %META:<type>{key1="value1" [key2="value2" [...]]}%
- Order of fields within the meta variables is not defined, except that if there is a field with key
name, this appears first for easier searching (note the order of the variables themselves is defined).
- Each meta variable is on one line.
-
\n (new line) is represented in values by %_N_ and " (double-quotes) by %_Q_%.
Example of Format
%<nop>META:TOPICINFO{version="1.6" date="976762663" author="PeterThoeny" format="1.0"}%
text of the topic
%<nop>META:TOPICMOVED{from="Codev.OldName" to="CoDev.NewName"
by="JohnTalintyre" date="976762680"}%
%<nop>META:TOPICPARENT{name="NavigationByTopicContext"}%
%<nop>META:FILEATTACHMENT{name="Sample.txt" version="1.3" ... }%
%<nop>META:FILEATTACHMENT{name="Smile.gif" version="1.1" ... }%
%<nop>META:FORM{name="WebFormTemplate"}%
%<nop>META:FIELD{name="OperatingSystem" value="OsWin"}%
%<nop>META:FIELD{name="TopicClassification" value="PublicFAQ"}%
Specifications
The current version of Meta Data is 1.0, with support for the following variables.
TOPICINFO
| Key | Comment |
|---|
| version | Same as RCS version |
| date | integer, unx time, seconds since start 1970 |
| author | last to change topic, is the REMOTE_USER |
| format | Format of this topic, will be used for automatic format conversion |
TOPICMOVED
This is optional, exists if topic has ever been moved. If a topic is moved more than once, only the most recent TOPICMOVED meta variable exists in the topic, older ones are to be found in the rcs history.
%META:TOPICMOVED{from="Codev.OldName" to="CoDev.NewName" by="talintj" date="976762680"}%
| Key | Comment |
|---|
| from | Full name i.e. web.topic |
| to | Full name i.e. web.topic |
| by | Who did it, is the REMOTE_USER, not WikiName |
| date | integer, unx time, seconds since start 1970 |
Notes:
- at present version number is not supported directly, it can be inferred from the RCS history.
- there is only one META:TOPICMOVED in a topic, older move information can be found in the RCS history.
TOPICPARENT
| Key | Comment |
|---|
| name | The topic from which this was created, WebHome if done from Go, othewise topic where ? or form used. Normally just topic, but is full web.topic format if parent is in a different Web. Renaming a Web will then only break a few of these references or they can be scanned and fixed. |
FILEATTACHMENT
| Key | Comment |
|---|
| name | Name of file, no path. Must be unique within topic |
| version | Same as RCS revision |
| path | Full path file was loaded from |
| size | In bytes |
| date | integer, unx time, seconds since start 1970 |
| user | the REMOTE_USER, not WikiName |
| comment | As supplied when file uploaded |
| attr | h if hidden, optional |
Extra fields that are added if an attachment is moved:
| movedfrom | full topic name - web.topic |
| movedby | the REMOTE_USER, not WikiName |
| movedto | full topic name - web.topic |
| moveddate | integer, unx time, seconds since start 1970 |
FORM
| Key | Comment |
|---|
| name | A topic name - the topic is a Form Template. Can optionally include the web name i.e. web.topic, but doesn't normally |
FIELD
Should only be present if there is a FORM entry. Note that this data is used when viewing a topic, the form template definition is not read.
| Key | Name  |
|---|
| title | Full text from Form Template |
| name | Ties to entry in Form Template, is title with all bar alphanumerics and . removed |
| value | Value user has supplied via form |
Recommended Sequence
There no absolute need for meta data variables to be in a specific order, however, it does for the following reasons:
- Keep (form) fields in the order they are defined
- Allow diff command to give output in a logically sensible order
These could be done in other ways, but this adds complexity
- Order fields - definition could be read on each rendering (expensive)
- Diff - render data before doing diff, has something to offer, but not likely to be available for next TWiki release
So the order is:
- TOPICINFO
- text of topic
- TOPICMOVED - optional
- TOPICPARENT - optional
- FILEATTACHMENT - 0 or more entries
- FORM - optional
- FIELD - 0 or more entries (FORM required)
Viewing Meta Data in Page Source
When viewing a topic the Raw Text link can be clicked to show the text of a topic (ie: as seen when editing). This is done by adding raw=on to URL. raw=debug shows the meta data as well as the topic data, ex: debug view for this topic
Rendering Meta Data
Meta Data is rendered with the %META% variable. This is mostly used in the view, preview and edit scripts.
Current support is fairly basic:
| Variable usage: | Comment: |
|---|
| %META{"form"}% | Show form data, see Form Templates |
| %META{"attachments"}% | Show attachments, exclude hidden |
| Options for attachments: | |
| all="on" | Show ALL attachments (including hidden) |
| %META{"moved"}% | Details of any topic moves |
| %META{"parent [options]"}% | Show topic parent |
| Options for parent: | |
| dontrecurse="on" | By default recurses up tree, at some cost |
| prefix="..." | Prefix for parents, only if there are parents; default "" |
| suffix="..." | Suffix, only appears if there are parents; default "" |
| seperator="..." | Separator between parents, default is " > " |
- Future Development: There are numerous development directions and specific features to consider. A couple of obvious possibilities:
- Rendering to formats other than tables: bullet lists, formatted body text;
- Specifying templates to be used for rendering.
Known Issues
There is currently no support for meta data for Plugins. However, the format is readily extendable and the Meta.pm code that supports the format needs only minor alteration.
-- JohnTalintyre - 29 Aug 2001
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