I've created a new content type. The content type includes CCK fields. Now I want to call it by creating a node and saving it from a tab on certain pages. I want to do this from within a module.

The module uses a MENU_LOCAL_TASK as well as a page_callback that's attached to a function to be called from specific locations on the site. When I click the tab I want to the content type to render, then add my information to the node and save it, but after saving to return to my original location.

I tried using drupal_goto in the callback. That works fine and it takes me to my node, but it doesn't return me to my original location after the node data is saved. So if I can't return to my original tab, that option is not unsuitable.

The other alternative is to use the following sequence of function calls in the page callback function in the following order:

drupal_retrieve_form(); drupal_prepare_form(); and lastly drupal_render_form();

At this stage the node form is partially rendering but not all the fields are being displayed.

I'm not even certain this is the correct way to programmatically add a node. Can anybody advise about best practices for programmatically adding a node through a drupal module?

(I've even increased the module weight by defining it in the install file.)

Thanks!