[development] Code freeze reminder

[Jeff Eaton]

On Jun 21, 2007, at 12:50 PM, David Strauss wrote:

> The only way I'd go for a FAPI-based $node is if we have a really  
> clean
> system for modules creating custom controls...

I'd like to jump in quickly and note that it's CRITICAL to  
distinguish between two thing:

1) FormAPI
2) #prefixed arrays storing structured data

The former is *only to be used for forms*. It is a complete workflow  
model and set of explicit callbacks.

The latter is a *data format with provisions for complex structured  
information*. It is something we can use to capture and represent  
lots of stuff, and solve lots of problems very cleanly. One of the  
primary benefits of this format is that it can be altered via hooks  
VERY easily, it can capture hierarchies very cleanly, and it can be  
rendered in bits using drupal_render() and our theming system very  
easily.

node_load() can build the node itself in a #prefixed array structure  
to solve the problem of namespace collisions, and never touch FAPI.  
node_view() can build a #prefixed array structure in order to  
leverage the rendering and altering functions, but never touch FAPI.

There are also 'middle ground' solutions -- node_load() could build a  
#prefixed structure that can be passed to drupal_render() directly,  
and node_load() could be responsible for adding to and altering that  
structure in different display contexts. This approach has a lot of  
potential upsides; flagging specific fields as 'indexable' is one  
example.

--Jeff