Back to the point: What if we re-do the lifecycle of a node ins the form system? That would mean you have form_alter($op) with: $op = load (collecting the form, change) $op = view (theming, changing the behaviour, reordering and so) $op = insert (data is inserted) $op = validate (valdation)
I think that syntax is a bit inconsistent with form api, but the idea is right on. I'll work on a patch for 4.8 (if noone beats me to it) that gets of the insert/update/validate ops of nodeapi. They will be replaced with #submit and $#validate handlers. Fapi is yet ready to handle view and load hooks but I would not be surprised if it goes in that direction. When it does, those nodeapi ops will be deprecated as well. The formn api is a nice callback system just like whats needed here.