[drupal-devel] [feature] add inline functionaliy to uploads

ejort drupal-devel at drupal.org
Fri Jul 29 03:47:48 UTC 2005


Issue status update for 
http://drupal.org/node/26288
Post a follow up: 
http://drupal.org/project/comments/add/26288

 Project:      Drupal
 Version:      cvs
 Component:    upload.module
 Category:     feature requests
 Priority:     normal
 Assigned to:  Anonymous
 Reported by:  Bèr Kessels
 Updated by:   ejort
 Status:       patch

+1 from me for this feature.  It's frustrating that core doesn't include
some basic image display functionality, and this will cover a large
percentage of users needs without introducing complexity.  People
wanting arbitrary image placement still have inline.module etc., so
it's nothing but an improvement on the current situation.




ejort



Previous comments:
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun, 03 Jul 2005 18:03:35 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Attachment: http://drupal.org/files/issues/upload_inline.patch (19.05 KB)

One of the most often asked features is proper inlnie handling of files.
Look at the amount of solutions, the popularity of image_assist, and the
amount of peolpe dowloading image.module! That alone should be enough
proof that Drupal lacks proper inline image support.


This patch adds that to core. In fact, it does little more then
appending a link of img tag to the body or the teaser. Off course that
is configurable per file. Next to the [] list checkbox, this patch adds
an [] inline checkbox. 


Simplicity is the foundation of this patch. I want no stles for inline
editing, no fancy html wrappers, no tokens, just $node->body or teaser
appended with a small html string.


Another small themable funtion is introduced, (hey, you cannot expect
me to develop something without adding more power for themers, now, can
you? ;) ), that allows people to theme the string that is appended to
the body or the teaser.


Oh, and also note hat the biggest part of this patch is some cleaning I
had to do in order to be able to develop properly. I dont like Ifs
inside cases in foreaches inside swiches. in other words: nodeapi now
calls functions instead of executing code directly.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun, 03 Jul 2005 18:19:25 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Attachment: http://drupal.org/files/issues/inline.patch.screenshot.png (26.68 KB)

here is how the form now looks




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun, 03 Jul 2005 18:19:58 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Attachment: http://drupal.org/files/issues/inline.patch.screenshot3.png (30.53 KB)

and this is an example of inlined images and a .doc file.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun, 03 Jul 2005 20:44:00 +0000 : sepeck

changing to patch per request from berkes




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 07:46:13 +0000 : Kobus

This gets a +1 from me in principle, however, the [inline:xx] tag with
inline.module gives you greater freedom as to where the inline image
must be displayed. If you can add this functionality (I haven't checked
the code, I don't know if it is in there) it would be a great addition
for Core. This same strategy can be used for inline blocks, I am sure.


Regards,


Kobus




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 08:57:50 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

there are a couple of reasons why i did not include the [inline] tags.
* I aimed for extreme simplicity: a checkbox shows an image inline: its
up to the theme where it appears (if one does not like it before/above
the body and teaser.). Simplicity was the main goal.
* We don't have any tokens in core. And we should not have them.
* Tokens are a very bad substitute for a good interface. They give less
power then plain HTLM. Are much worst documented then HTML, but in the
mean time, they are still as hard to learn as HTML. (Yes, I know people
_think_ they are easier, but there _is_ not difference between [ ] and ,
only that its a different ascii char.


So, no. I don't allow any placement of the image. I leave that that for
dedicated modules, or the themer to decide.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 09:34:06 +0000 : Kobus

So you will provide an API to do this? For example, with perhaps minor
modifications, the inline.module will be able to display these files?
In that case I am happy. If not, then I can't give my support to this
patch (as if that matters...).


A themer can't do this task as inline images (and blocks for that
matter) is too dynamic for theming; it can be placed anywhere in a node
where the user pleases. This means for me that there should be a module
for this, such as inline module that allows you to define [inline:xx]
tags. If your module emits an array of uploaded files (such as
upload.module), inline.module can be, with minor changes, adapted to
show these files inline.


To show you what I mean with the content is too dynamic for a themer to
perform this task, look at this screenshot related to inline blocks
(inline images can follow the same pattern):
http://drupal.org/files/issues/regions---possibility-3.png




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 11:26:15 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Kobus,


We are dealing with different issues here: You want a method to place
images, files or so anywhere in the post. That is fine, but certainly
NOT addressed in the patch!


I made patch that *only* adds marked files to the body. its really
nothing more then 
<?php
 $node->body = $filestring . $node->body 
?>


No APIS, no, dynamic tokens, no filters, nothing. 


However, what I meant with themers, is that there now is a
theme_upload_inline available, so you can theme the abovementioned
$filestring. On top of that $node->files[FILEID]->inline is TRUE if a
file is flagged for inline.
So in node.tpl.php, or wherever you want to theme a node, you can print
nice images inline, when that flag is set. 


And about the comment that a themer cant do this:
Simply not true. On most sites images are always placed in the same
places. REally, even the sites see which use img_assist or inline, use
them to place the images on the exact same places in every node. People
/think/ they want the power to place images anywhere, but they hardly
ever use that power. Just look at all the big news/publishing sites out
there (BBC, CNN, BoigBoing, r even freshmeat) images are all placed acc.
to the theme. They are not placed in random places by authors. So if you
are one of the few that still want that power, there aer mots of power
tools like inline module or img_assist. We should offer a good default,
one that is simple.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 11:41:34 +0000 : Gerhard Killesreiter

I fully agree that tags are evil.


Kobus: You can always look for tags in $node->body in your theme's node
function.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 11:50:52 +0000 : stefan nagtegaal

Ber,


the theme-function in your code looks like:

<?php
+/**
+ * Theme function for rendering of inline images
+ * @param $file a file object.
+ * @param $image a Boolean, indicating whether an img tag (TRUE) or an
anchor tag (FALSE) should be used.
+ * @ingroup themable
+ */
+function theme_upload_inline($file, $image) {
+  if ($image) {
+    return '<img src="'. check_url(($file->fid ?
file_create_url($file->filepath) :
url(file_create_filename($file->filename, file_create_path())))) .'"
alt="'.  check_plain($file->filename) .'" class="upload inline">';
+  }
+  else {
+    return ''. check_plain($file->filename) .' [1]';
+  }
+
+}
?>


After looking at your code it's not clear to me when $image is TRUE or
FALSE, can you elaborate on me please?
[1] http://drupal.org/'. check_url(($file->fid ?
file_create_url($file->filepath) :
url(file_create_filename($file->filename, file_create_path())))) .'\"
class=\"upload inline




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 12:06:39 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

The function calling the theme function should decide whether its an
image. IMO that is far too hardcore code for a themer ;)



<?php
$image = ereg('^(image/)', $file->filemime);
?>


inside _upload_inline() does the trick.
I did find one issue, though, with svgs, which are image/svg  so maybe
we should limit this to really only inline jpg, png, and gif, by
extension? But I am no fan of determining files by extension, and IMO
getimgsize is too heavy;




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 12:13:52 +0000 : stefan nagtegaal

Can't you make use of PHP's

<?php
image_type_to_mime_type();
?>




or

<?php
image_type_to_extension();
?>






------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 12:45:43 +0000 : Kobus

Well, if not in the patch, I need inline functionality one way or
another. inline.module works perfectly with the current upload.module
to fulfill my needs, and if there is a way where someone can extend
your proposed upload.module, that would get my +1, otherwise I will
just remain neutral about this issue.


inline.module makes use of $node->files and displays that image. If
your patch still uses $node->files, then this is a non-issue. In other
words, if I can, with inline.module, or with minor modifications to
inline.module still show files inline, I am +1 for this.


As for the themability question... I still disagree. You say "Simply
not true. On most sites images are always placed in the same places."
That is ONLY true because they have NO alternatives. Means the content
is in the same places, because they have no other places to put them. I
have made tens of static sites where the content does not resemble a
fixed pattern or structure. For me, free-flow layout is my expression
of my creativity. This is why I still even BOTHER with static sites;
when Drupal don't do what I want it to do. If Drupal could do inline
display of content properly, I'd never even build another static site.


It is a great mistake people make (including myself), and that is they
design the site before ANY content is available, and this happens a lot
in static sites. But in dynamic sites, you have far less control over
this, unless you have a VERY clean structure with limited information
that can be added, and only a few people posting content. If you can
have your content before you start the design, you will have a better
fit.


I can't see how you can anticipate every possible posting posted on
your site if you have a diversity of users. Especially not if you're
using a site such as an designer's showcase site where your creativity
is shown by your web sites. Possible, but not easy. If I claim that I
have "unique, fresh designs" I can certainly NOT give them a "box-like"
site with "left and right side bars only". That's why I need inline
content, this includes images AND boxes.


Gerhard: Your concern about tags is answered as well above, if I am not
mistaken. The patch need not provide the tags, but should provide for
someone to develop a module that provide the filters or tags.


To summarize: I don't need your patch to do the inline images. I just
need your patch to be able to allow someone else to develop a module
that can display inline files.


Kobus




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon, 18 Jul 2005 09:56:38 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

okay, so for all clarity, let me sumarise:
* this patch introduces a chackbox "inline". If checked, the file will
show up inline. IT will be appended to the teaser and the body.
* this patch does *not* allow one to place images of files in a
userdefined place in the body.
* this patch does *not* do any resizing nor any thumbnailing.
* This patch is meant to be simple, clear and transparant. No tokens,
no javascript, no nothing.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon, 18 Jul 2005 11:21:54 +0000 : Kobus

Then I can't see how this patch could replace the existing
upload.module, which allows you to use inline.module to place images
inline. I therefore withdraw my +1 and go -1 on this (not that it
matters, I believe).


I think you didn't properly read my previous message. I said I don't
need your patch to do all this, but I can't live without the
functionality currently provided by the upload.module and inline.module
combination. I agree that your patch don't need to have that
functionality, but if your patch takes away this functionality, in
other words, I can't (by hook or by crook) manage what I need to do, my
vote is -1.


Regards,


Kobus




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon, 18 Jul 2005 19:58:34 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Kobus,
And all the others looking fofr advanced inline systems:


please do not -1 this. It will hep inline module a lot too. allthough
not yet in this patch, but can you imagine a perission system for
inline module, that comes for free? Or a core system, that makes inline
module ten times smaller? it is this path!
so, please, if it is not /exactly/ what you are looking for, at least
look at the advantages for Joe Average, and even for the possibilties
for your favorite inline-module. even imag_assist will gain an anomous
usability impcact when usiong this module, for it can then finally use
the upload module in full scale. 


Ber




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sat, 23 Jul 2005 18:59:10 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Sohodjo jim:
" I hope it matters. A big -1 on enforcing over-simplification at the
expense of important and existing functionality. If automatic,
uncontrollable placement of images becomes the standard, it will mean
fewer not more image-rich Drupal sites as site owners/developers get
complaints about "Why can't I control my images!"
    I _strongly_ encourage Ber to provide a "have it both ways"
solution. Why not have an admin configuration setting for "allow inline
tags" with default off. Change it to on and you get an additional
upload
checkbox for 'inline at tag' to accommodate the current functionality
of
the inline module while simultaneously allowing for default placement.
"
NOOO. people; please; look at the PATCH. 


Again: and hopefully last time: Simplicity. 


This patch does NOT replace ANYTHING inline module or img_assist wants
to do.
This patch hands better data to such modules. It hands a variable over
to these modules, $node->file[FID]->inline, which tells these sorts of
modules if people wnat that file to appear inline.
AND it CAN (by default will) render a file in the most simple way
inline. 


So really, if you want to -1 this patch, fine. But do not -1 it,
because it does too little IYO. It still allows MUCH more than what you
can do no, without that patch! And any solution, for core,  that allows
advanced handling of inline images will either require an enourmous
amount of work, or it will simply no get in. 


So, unless you come up with a good core-worthy patch, this is still a
big leap forward from what we have now.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sat, 23 Jul 2005 19:01:51 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

:$ this is an attempt to fix the borken HML in the previous follow up.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun, 24 Jul 2005 04:07:34 +0000 : TDobes

Please don't combine unrelated changes together in the same patch. 
Moving stuff in/out of the _nodeapi hook has absolutely nothing to do
with the patch and makes it much harder to read through the patch and
see what it's actually doing.  I'd appreciate it if you could separate
the changes made here which are really relevant and move the other
changes into another issue.


Also:  You change form_group_collapsible(t('File attachments') to
form_group_collapsible(t('File Attachments').  A quick glance at some
other core code seems to indicate that we've standardized on
capitalizing only the first word in multi-word group titles.


As for the functionality itself, I don't think this belongs in
upload.module.  It would be useful to have the functionality in core,
but as a separate module which can be switched on and off.
(upload_inline.module or something like that)  If a site were set up
using an inlining system from contrib and the functionality you're
proposing could not be switched off, it would be extremely confusing to
users that there are two different ways of inlining images.


A minor comment: I'm not so sure whether the results of this patch,
when inlining non-image attachments, will be the one users expect.  A
non-web-savvy person may expect his/her Word document (for instance) to
appear inline with the node when they click "inline" -- just like their
images do.  I'd suggest that we limit inlining to images only.  I'm not
as adamant about this as the other issues, so I could be convinced
otherwise if others disagree.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun, 24 Jul 2005 07:58:19 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Thank you for your thoughts Tdobbes. 


As for the "moving things in and out of nodeapi" This was necessary,
because otherwise the patch would have made the code even more
unreadable. I agree with you on this point, but I simply had to clean
it up a little, in order to be able to work in it. 


As it stands now, it is simply not possible to make this a separate
module. We cannot hook into the files table. In a next stage, I might
work out some hook for that table. But first things first. 


Can Dries or Steven please comment on his. I want to know If i should
bother spending this enormous amount of time on commenting and debating
this issue. If the chances are small this is accepted, Ill just drop it
This ridiculous long thread reminds me again why I try to avoid making
patches for core.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 05:49:37 +0000 : Steven

Overall I like the concept, but I think it at least needs some default
styling to make the image appear okay, like floating it. Right now it
appears inline between whatever was there... very ugly.


Sure you can say "leave it up to the themer" but if the goal is to
provide a simple default, we can't expect people to dive into theming
if they are going to use this feature instead of img_assist or
whatever.


Also, I wonder about the classes "upload" and "image". Is there a
reason to use two classes? Isn't "image" a bit too generic? Oh and
there is a missing XHTML / for the img tag.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 12:42:26 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

I will fix the broken Xhttml.


I chose "image" because it is exactly the same as the .image class used
by image.module. But I will see to it, to add more functionality.
I agree that it is not up to the themer for some good defaults, thus I
will add a line of CSS to drupal.css (*shiver* ;) )
upload, IMO does not communicate well enough what the Image is doing.
Not sure yet how I ill fix this, but I will see to it to come up with a
better CSS/theme solution. Thanks!




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 14:18:23 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Attachment: http://drupal.org/files/issues/upload_inline_0.patch (12.24 KB)

Suggestions by Steven are now included. I very simple float is added to
the inline images in drupal.css. XHTML fixed.
And I cleaned up some old crufty comments, as suggested by Dries.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 17:05:45 +0000 : fax8

What is proposed here is a good idea.


But I think that this is done in not good way.


I think that upload.module should be only a layer
between file system and modules.
So modify upload module to add a specific feature
like your inline for me is not good.


but I like the idea to add checkboxes for enable
interaction modules between modules and upload.module.


Maybe we could design an of api wich let modules
tell upload.module that they can interact with it.


I make an example:
I'm a developer of video.module.
Now to add a video file to video.module one need
to put the file into drupal folders using ftp and then insert
the path to the file during node creation.


One of the features our users are asking a lot is
the possibility to directly upload a video file to dupal.


So I should write a lot of code, settings, security buggy
code.. that for me isn't useful.


What about if only calling an upload.module api I
should enable a new checkbox on upload form
called "use as video file" which let me use the file
as a video file on my module???


What do you think about it????




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 20:00:03 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

fax: upload /is/ such a layer. Just look at how image module does it.
You need not write any additional 'buggy' code, you can use all teh
upload functionality.


The upload interface (the table and list), however, is tightly
integrated, so that drupal offers an out-of-the-box file system.


Nox, my patch simply adds an "out of the box" inline functionality.
Small and simple. 


For any more advanced file features you should use or write a module
that, in  turn, uses the uplaod.module.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 11:22:40 +0000 : stefan nagtegaal

After discussing with Ber, I think this patch has some great potential
though the simplicity of it..


For the people who don't completely agree what this patch does:
- It adds an extra checkbox for each attachment. If the 'Inline'
checkbox is checked, images are displayed inline in your post and other
attachments (like .pdf, .ppt, or whatever) were transformed into links.


The potential of this patch is in the fact that this makes it much,
much easier to have another contrib module which makes it possible to
let you choose at the node submission how you would like your node to
be displayed, incl. the selected inline attachments to be displayed
(using _nodeapi()).


So, a big +1 from me on this..




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 11:27:52 +0000 : Kobus

> - It adds an extra checkbox for each attachment. If the 'Inline'
> checkbox is checked, images are displayed inline in your post and
other
> attachments (like .pdf, .ppt, or whatever) were transformed into
links.


Does this mean it is done automatically or do I have control over this?
I don't want the images to be inline if I can't control where I put it.


Let me just clarify my position on this short-and-sweet-like:


If it breaks the existing functionality that upload.module +
inline.module provides without opening the door for a replacement, then
I am -1, otherwise +1. :-)


Kobus




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 11:51:50 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Kobus: Again: it does not break anything! 


It opens up enormous potential for modules such as inline/module.
Because inline module now has access to a variable
$node->files[fid]->inline.
in other words: modules such as inline.module can now find out what
images a user wants to see inline!




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 11:59:53 +0000 : Kobus

Ber: Great, then I +1 it. From our previous talks about this, it seemed
as if this functionality was being taken away.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 16:18:21 +0000 : Sohodojo Jim

Agreed, +1. The most on-going and especially most recent discussion has
clarified that we can have our simple cake and contrib mod cake as
well.


Does this mean that inline module will work as is, or will a post-patch
update be required?


--Sohodojo Jim--




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 17:33:47 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

inline module will continue working. but in order for it to use this
inline variable (and become even better) it needs to be patched.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 18:12:09 +0000 : moshe weitzman

I read through the code and it looks good to me, though it is hard to
know whats new given all the code thats moved around. this is
definately needed functionality.


If you were still up for enhancements, I'd like to see the 'inline' box
get checked by default when uploading an image. when the attachment is
not an image, the box should be disabled and unchecked.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 18:32:40 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

disabling the box for non-images would break the link function (i.e add
a link in the text. But, on second thought: that is fine, since it
defeats the list checkbox. 


I will add that. As well as making it checked by default.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 19:54:14 +0000 : Junyor

@Bèr: Why not simplify this patch to only add the hooks to a contrib
module would need to add this functionality?  You said that your patch
would allow inline.module to work much more easily.  But then there is
a lot of extra stuff there that inline.module won't need.  This
functionality can't replace inline.module, so anything that it doesn't
use just gets in the way.


I'm afraid that users will think this is the best Drupal can provide
without looking for a contrib module.  I'd prefer we spent our time and
effort adding the whole functionality of inline.module or making it easy
to add and position inline content in nodes to core rather than adding
some functionality to upload.module that doesn't cut it for most users.


So, either strip this patch of everything but the functionality that
inline.module (and similar modules) can use or allow me to position
images in my text through this patch.  Otherwise, -1.  If this is the
first step in a plan to add the functionality I want to core, I'd like
to hear your full plan.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 21:19:37 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

Attachment: http://drupal.org/files/issues/upload_inline_1.patch (19.71 KB)

to all: everyone has Big Plans[tm] and even worse: everyone has Bigger
Plans for my patch, for inline module. Why not code it? Hooks? fine!
module integration, even better. Sorry if I sound a bit grumpy here.
But so far I have spent nearly three times as much hours debbating the
patch, then I spent creating it. Hooks sound great. but are not the
intention of this patch. I want to add a *default* way, that works. But
that does not break other modules, nd in fact tries to help them. But I
am not inventing some advanced image handling system here. 


Here is an updated patch with renewed updates.inc (got lost in the
previous patch)
Moshes suggestion about disabling non-images-checkboxes is also
implemented. I like it a lot more now.
I did not, however, implement Moshes idea about defaulting to
"checked". for a few reasons:
* It looks a bit silly if you have more then one image inline, And
defaulting all uploads to inline will inline any uploaded image.
* When uploading large images they will default to inline, thus pushing
your sites layout to oblivian
* None of the other options default to TRUE, so for consistancy I
prefer to default it to not inline.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 21:24:26 +0000 : Bèr Kessels

oh, bytheway: you can test adn play with this patch here:
http://fixme.remixreading.org/?q=add_content
note that it is a sandbox, so your account will get lost, and pages
might not work :)







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