Creating new tables in the database

[mike]

Hi, I recently started working on a journal application plugin for the OJS. I am not very familiar with the OJS system so I was wondering if there is any plugin that adds custom tables to the database and such. That would be a great reference to what I am working on. thx

[asmecher]

Hi Mike,

As always, we're refining our plugin structure, so things might change a little with future releases; however, you can currently add database tables for plugins using the schema XML descriptors. The thesis plugin currently does this; look at it for an example.

Regards,
Alec Smecher
Open Journal Systems Team

[mike]

thank you, it is indeed a very good example.

got one more question, currently is there a way to make certain plugin available to admin only? or does it have to be a per journal based?

[asmecher]

Hi Mike,

See the Plugin::isSitePlugin() function. While plugins are only available through the Journal Manager's interface, this will make sure that the Journal Manager is also a site administrator -- effectively the same thing. Note that you can also use template hooks to add administration links to e.g. the Site Administrator's home.

Regards,
Alec Smecher
Open Journal Systems Team

[mike]

I am having some trouble with the hook callback functions.

A simple example would be I display a headerlink with a hook for one plugin, and another plugin that adds another link will not show up.

I read the technical reference that I should return false for the call back function. That is what i am doing , some insights would be appreciated.

[ramon]

Mike,

Be ware when adding links to Navigation and Menu bar.
The Thesis Plugin had a bug, which prevented any other plugin to add further links.

The variable $output in the following functions has to concatenate with the previous values sent ($output .= '<li><a href="http://pkp.sfu.ca">Example Plugin</a></li>';) or else, no other plugin will be able to add links anywhere.

Code: Select all

function displayHeaderLink($hookName, $params) {
      if($this->getEnabled()){
         $smarty =& $params[1];
         $output =& $params[2];
         $output .= '<li><a href="http://pkp.sfu.ca">Example Plugin</a></li>';   
      }   
      return false;
   }
   function displayManagerLink($hookName, $params) {
      if($this->getEnabled()){
         $smarty =& $params[1];
         $output =& $params[2];
         $output .= '<li>» <a href="http://pkp.sfu.ca">Example Plugin</a></li>';   
      }   
      return false;
   }

[mike]

lol, thx a million, got it working now