Mercurial > hg > toolbox

annotate README.txt @ 17:cabe97535057

Find changesets by keywords (author, files, the commit message), revision number or hash, or revset expression.
py3
author Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
date Tue, 24 Nov 2020 13:15:33 -0800
parents b0942f44413f
children 2ba55733b788
Ignore whitespace changes - Everywhere: Within whitespace: At end of lines:
rev   line source
0
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
1 The Story of Toolbox
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
2 ====================
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
3
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
4 Toolbox is fundamentally a document-oriented approach to resource
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
5 indexing. A "tool" consists three mandatory string fields -- name,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
6 description, and URL -- that are generic to the large class of problems
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
7 of web resources, as well as classifiers, such as author, usage, type,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
8 etc. A tool may have an arbitrary number of classifier fields as
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
9 needed. Each classifier consists of a set of values with which a tool
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
10 is tagged. This gives toolbox the flexibility to fit a large number of
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
11 data models, such as PYPI, DOAP, and others.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
12
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
13
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
14 Running Toolbox
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
15 ---------------
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
16
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
17 You can download and run the toolbox software yourself:
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
18 http://github.com/k0s/toolbox
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
19
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
20 To serve in baseline mode, install the software and run::
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
21
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
22 paster serve paste.ini
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
23
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
24 This will serve the handlers and static content using the paste
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
25 (http://pythonpaste.org) webserver using ``README.txt`` as the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
26 ``/about`` page and serving the data in ``sample``.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
27
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
28 The dispatcher (``toolbox.dispatcher:Dispatcher``) is the central (WSGI)
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
29 webapp that designates per-request to a number of handlers (from
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
30 ``handlers.py``). The dispatcher has a few options:
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
31
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
32 * about: path to a restructured text file to serve at ``/about``
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
33 * model_type: name of the backend to use (memory_cache, file_cache, or couch)
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
34 * template_dir: extra directory to look for templates
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
35
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
36 These may be configured in the ``paste.ini`` file in the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
37 ``[app:toolbox]`` section by prepending with the namespace
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
38 ``toolbox.``. It is advisable that you copy the example ``paste.ini``
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
39 file for your own usage needs. Additional ``toolbox.``-namespaced
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
40 arguments will be passed to the model. For instance, to specify the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
41 directory for the ``file_cache`` model, the provided ``paste.ini`` uses
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
42 ``toolbox.directory = %(here)s/sample``.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
43
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
44
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
45 Architecture
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
46 ------------
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
47
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
48 Toolbox uses a fairly simple architecture with a single abstract data
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
49 model allowing an arbitrary number of implementations to be constructed::
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
50
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
51 Interfaces Implementations
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
52
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
53 +----+ +-+-----+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
54 |HTTP| | |files|
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
55 +----+---\ +-----+ | +-----+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
56 |-|model|-+-+-----+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
57 +------+-/ +-----+ | |couch|
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
58 |script| | +-----+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
59 +------+ +-+------+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
60 | |memory|
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
61 | +------+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
62 +-+---+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
63 |...|
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
64 +---+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
65
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
66 Toolbox was originally intended to use a directory of files, one per project,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
67 as the backend. These were originally intended to be HTML files as the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
68 above model may be clearly mapped as HTML::
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
69
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
70 <div class="project"><h1><a href="{{url}}">{{name}}</a></h1>
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
71 <p class="description">{{description}}</p>
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
72 {{for field in fields}}
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
73 <ul class="{{field}}">
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
74 {{for value in values[field]}}
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
75 <li>{{value}}</li>
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
76 {{endfor}}
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
77 {{endfor}}
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
78 </div>
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
79
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
80 This microformat approach allows not only easy editing of the HTML
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
81 documents, but the documents may be indepently served and displayed
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
82 without the toolbox server-side.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
83
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
84 The HTML microformat was never implemented (though, since the model
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
85 backend is pluggable, it easily could be). Instead, the original
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
86 implementation used JSON blobs stored in one file per tool. This
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
87 approach loses the displayable aspect, though since JSON is a defined
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
88 format with several good tools for exploring and manipulating the data
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
89 perhaps this disavantage is offset.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
90
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
91 A couch backend was also written.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
92
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
93 +------------+-----------+------------+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
94 |Displayable?|File-based?|Concurrency?|
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
95 +-----+------------+-----------+------------+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
96 |HTML |Yes |Yes |No |
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
97 +-----+------------+-----------+------------+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
98 |JSON |Not really |Yes |No |
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
99 +-----+------------+-----------+------------+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
100 |Couch|No |No |Yes? |
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
101 +-----+------------+-----------+------------+
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
102
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
103 The concurrency issue with file-based documennt backends may be
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
104 overcome by using locked files. Ideally, this is accomplished at the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
105 filesystem level. If your filesystem does not promote this
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
106 functionality, it may be introduced programmatically. A rough cartoon
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
107 of a good implementation is as follows:
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
108
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
109 1. A worker thread is spawned to write the data asynchronously. The
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
110 data is sent to the worker thread.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
111
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
112 2. The worker checks for the presence of a lockfile (herein further
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
113 detailed). If the lockfile exists and is owned by an active process,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
114 the worker waits until said process is done with it. (For a more
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
115 robust implementation, the worker sends a request to write the file to
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
116 some controller.)
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
117
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
118 3. The worker owns a lockfile based on its PID in some directory
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
119 parallel to the directory root under consideration (for example,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
120 ``/tmp/toolbox/lock/${PID}-${filename}.lck``).
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
121
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
122 4. The worker writes to the file.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
123
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
124 5. The worker removes the lock
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
125
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
126 The toolbox web service uses a dispatcher->handler framework. The
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
127 handlers are loosely pluggable (they are assigned in the dispatcher),
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
128 but could (and probably should) be made completely pluggable. That
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
129 said, the toolbox web system features an integration of templates,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
130 static resources (javascript, css, images), and handlers, so true
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
131 pluggability is further away than just supporting pluggable handlers
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
132 in the dispatcher.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
133
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
134 Deployment, however, may be tailored as desired. Any of the given
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
135 templates may be overridden via passing a ``template_dir`` parameter
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
136 with a path to a directory that have templates of the appropriate
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
137 names as found in toolbox's ``templates`` directory.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
138
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
139 Likewise, the static files (css, js, etc.) are served using ``paste``'s
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
140 ``StaticURLParser`` out of toolbox's ``static`` directory. (See
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
141 toolbox's ``factory.py``.) Notably this is *not* done using the WSGI
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
142 app itself. Doing it with middleware allows the deployment to be
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
143 customizable by writing your own factory. For example, instead of
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
144 using the ``paste`` webserver and the included ``paste.ini``, you
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
145 could use nginx or apache and ``mod_wsgi`` with a factory file
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
146 invoking ``Dispatcher`` with the desired arguments and serving the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
147 static files with an arbitrary static file server.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
148
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
149 It is common sense, if rarely followed, that deployment should be
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
150 simple. If you want to get toolbox running on your desktop and/or for
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
151 testing, you should be able to do this easily (see the ``INSTALL.sh``
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
152 for a simple installation using ``bash``; you'll probably want to
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
153 perform these steps by hand for any sort of real-world deployment).
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
154 If you want a highly customized deployment, then this will require
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
155 more expertise and manual setup.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
156
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
157 The template data and the JSON are closely tied together. This has the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
158 distinct advantage of avoiding data translation steps and avoiding
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
159 code duplication.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
160
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
161 Toolbox uses several light-footprint libraries:
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
162
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
163 * webob for Request/Response handling: http://pythonpaste.org/webob/
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
164
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
165 * tempita for (HTML) templates: http://pythonpaste.org/tempita/
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
166
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
167 * whoosh for search. This pure-python implementation of full-text
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
168 search is relatively fast (for python) and should scale decently to
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
169 the target scale of toolbox (1000s or 10000s of tools). While not as
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
170 fast as lucene, whoosh is easy to deploy and has a good API and
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
171 preserves toolbox as a deployable software product versus an
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
172 instance that requires the expert configuration, maintainence, and
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
173 tuning of several disparate software products that is both
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
174 non-automatable (cannot be installed with a script) and
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
175 time-consuming. http://packages.python.org/Whoosh/
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
176
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
177 * jQuery: jQuery is the best JavaScript library and everyone
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
178 should use it. http://jquery.com/
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
179
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
180 * jeditable for AJAXy editing: http://www.appelsiini.net/projects/jeditable
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
181
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
182 * jquery-token for autocomplete: http://loopj.com/jquery-tokeninput/
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
183
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
184 * less for dynamic stylesheets: http://lesscss.org/
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
185
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
186
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
187 User Interaction
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
188 ----------------
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
189
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
190 A user will typically interact with Toolbox through the AJAX web
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
191 interface. The server side returns relatively simple (HTML) markup,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
192 but structured in such a way that JavaScript may be utilized to
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
193 promote rich interaction. The simple HTML + complex JS manifests
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
194 several things:
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
195
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
196 1. The document is a document. The tools HTML presented to the user (with
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
197 the current objectionable exception of the per-project Delete button)
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
198 is a document form of the data. It can be clearly and easily
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
199 translated to data (for e.g. import/export) or simply marked up using
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
200 (e.g.) JS to add functionality. By keeping concerns seperate
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
201 (presentation layer vs. interaction layer) a self-evident clarity is
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
202 maintained.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
203
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
204 2. Computation is shifted client-side. Often, an otherwise lightweight
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
205 webapp loses considerable performance rendering complex templates. By
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
206 keeping the templates light-weight and doing control presentation and
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
207 handling in JS, high performance is preserved.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
208
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
209
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
210 What Toolbox Doesn't Do
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
211 -----------------------
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
212
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
213 * versioning: toolbox exposes editing towards a canonical document.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
214 It doesn't do versioning. A model instance may do whatever
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
215 versioning it desires, and since the models are pluggable, it would
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
216 be relatively painless to subclass e.g. the file-based model and
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
217 have a post-save hook which does an e.g. ``hg commit``. Customized
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
218 templates could be used to display this information.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
219
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
220 * authentication: the information presented by toolbox is freely
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
221 readable and editable. This is by intention, as by going to a "wiki"
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
222 model and presenting a easy to use, context-switching-free interface
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
223 curation is encouraged (ignoring the possibly imaginary problem of
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
224 wiki-spam). Access-level auth could be implemented using WSGI
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
225 middleware (e.g. repoze.who or bitsyauth) or through a front end
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
226 "webserver" integration layer such as Apache or nginx. Finer grained
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
227 control of the presentation layer could be realized by using custom
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
228 templates.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
229
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
230
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
231 What Toolbox Would Like To Do
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
232 -----------------------------
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
233
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
234 Ultimately, toolbox should be as federated as possible. The basic
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
235 architecture of toolbox as a web service + supporting scripts makes
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
236 this feasible and more self-contained than most proposed federated
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
237 services. The basic federated model has proved, in practice,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
238 difficult to achieve through purely the (HTTP) client-server model, as
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
239 without complete federation and adherence to protocol offline cron
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
240 jobs should be utilized to pull external data sources. If a webservice
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
241 only desires to talk to others of its own type and are willing to keep
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
242 a queue of requests for when hosts are offline, entire HTTP federation
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
243 may be implemented with only a configuration-specified discovery
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
244 service to find the nodes.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
245
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
246
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
247 Evolution
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
248 ---------
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
249
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
250 Often, a piece software is presented as a state out of context (that
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
251 is minus the evolution which led it to be and led it to look further
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
252 out towards beyond the horizon). While this is an interesting special
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
253 effect for an art project, software being communication this
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
254 is only conducive to software in the darkest of black-box approaches.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
255
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
256 "Beers are like web frameworks: if they're not micro, you don't know
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
257 what you're talking about." - hipsterhacker
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
258
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
259 For sites that fit the architecture of a given framework, it may be
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
260 advisable to make use of them. However, for most webapp/webservice
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
261 categories which have a finite scope and definitive intent, it is
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
262 often easier, more maintainable, and more legible to build a complete
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
263 HTTP->WSGI->app architecture than to try to hammer a framework into
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
264 fitting your problem or redefining the problem to fit the framework.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
265 This approach was used for toolbox.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
266
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
267 The GenshiView template, http://k0s.org/hg/GenshiView, was invoked to
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
268 generate a basic dispatcher->handler system. The cruft was removed,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
269 leaving only the basic structure and the TempitaHandler since tempita
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
270 is lightweight and it was envisioned that filesystem tempita templates
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
271 (MakeItSo!) would be used elsewhere in the project. The basic
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
272 handlers (projects views, field-sorted view, new, etc.) were written
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
273 and soon a usable interface was constructed.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
274
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
275 A ``sample`` directory was created to hold the JSON blobs. Because
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
276 this was done early on, two goals were achieved:
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
277
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
278 1. the software could be dogfooded immediately using actual applicable
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
279 data. This helped expose a number of issues concerning the data format
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
280 right away.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
281
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
282 2. There was a place to put tools before the project reached a
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
283 deployable state (previously, a few had lived in a static state using
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
284 a rough sketch of the HTML microformat discussed above on
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
285 k0s.org). Since the main point of toolbox is to record Mozilla tools,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
286 the wealth of references mentioned in passing could be put somewhere,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
287 instead of passed by and forgotten. One wishes that they do not miss
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
288 the train while purchasing a ticket.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
289
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
290 The original intent, when the file-based JSON blob approach was to be
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
291 the deployed backend, was to have two repositories: one for the code
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
292 and one for the JSON blobs. When this approach was scrapped, the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
293 file-based JSON blobs were relegated to the ``sample`` directory, with
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
294 the intent to be to import them into e.g. a couch database on actual
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
295 deployment (using an import script). The samples could then be used
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
296 for testing.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
297
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
298 The model has a single "setter" function, ``def update``, used for
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
299 both creating and updating projects. Due to this and due to the fact
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
300 the model was ABC/pluggable from the beginning, a converter ``export``
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
301 function could be trivially written at the ABC-level::
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
302
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
303 def export(self, other):
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
304 """export the current model to another model instance"""
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
305 for project in self.get():
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
306 other.update(project)
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
307
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
308 This with an accompanying CLI utility was used to migrate from JSON
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
309 blob files in the ``sample`` directory to the couch instance. This
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
310 particular methodology as applied to an unexpected problem (the
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
311 unanticipated switch from JSON blobs to couch) is a good example of
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
312 the power of using a problem to drive the software forward (in this
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
313 case, creation of a universal export function and associated command
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
314 line utility). The alternative, a one-off manual data migration, would
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
315 have been just as time consuming, would not be repeatable, would not
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
316 have extended toolbox, and may have (like many one-offs do) infected
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
317 the code base with associated semi-permanant vestiges. In general,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
318 problems should be used to drive innovation. This can only be done if
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
319 the software is kept in a reasonably good state. Otherwise
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
320 considerable (though probably worthwhile) refactoring should be done
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
321 prior to feature extension which will become cost-prohibitive in
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
322 time-critical situations where a one-off is (more) likely to be employed.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
323
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
324
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
325 Use Cases
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
326 ---------
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
327
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
328 The target use-case is software tools for Mozilla, or, more generally,
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
329 a software index. For this case, the default fields uses are given in
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
330 the paste.ini file: usage, author, type, language. More fields may be
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
331 added to the running instance in the future.
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
332
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
333 However, the classifier classification can be used for a wide variety
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
334 of web-locatable resources. A few examples:
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
335
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
336 * songs: artist, album, genre, instruments
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
337 * de.li.cio.us: type, media, author, site
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
338
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
339
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
340 Resources
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
341 ---------
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
342
b0942f44413f import from git://github.com/mozilla/toolbox.git
Jeff Hammel <k0scist@gmail.com>
parents:
diff changeset
343 * http://readthedocs.org/