[Semediawiki-user] [SF] how to automatically insert (semantic) data into SF fields

[Na J. <na...@gm...>]

I recently needed/wanted:

(i) A function that enters the current user's name into a specific SF input
field

With help from some users in the IRC #semanticmediawiki and #wikia channels
I was able to realize that for fields having the input types:  text or
dropdown (but not yet radiobutton). That code is included here in case
other's find it useful or wish to improve upon it.

It first selects form input fields matching the named parameter
*"Thisuser"*that must be used in the form's template.
It then automatically inserts the current user's username into any input
field(s) selected. (Note: wgUserName is case-sensitive)

> function preloadThisUserName() {
>   $("#bodyContent form.createbox") /* narrows the search */
>   .find("input[name$='[Thisuser]']") /* affects _any_ template with a parameter named: Thisuser */
>   .val(wgUserName); /* Checks, or selects, all the radio buttons, checkboxes, and select options that match the user name.  */
>   $("#bodyContent form.createbox")
>   .find("select[name$='[Thisuser]']")
>   .val(wgUserName); /* Checks, or selects, all the radio buttons, checkboxes, and select options that match the user name.  */
> }
>
> $( preloadThisUserName );
>
>
I can think of three obvious extensions to this basic idea:

(ii) A function that adds wgUserName to a comma delimited list field
(iii) A function that removes wgUserName from a comma delimited list field
(iv) A function that runs a semantic query and returns the result

I've seen enough to be sure that (ii) & (iii) are both feasible and frankly,
that's as far I need to go for the foreseeable future.
(No doubt some readers can do this in your sleep ... by contrast it will
probably take me a 2 or 3 sleepless nights!)

What I am _not_ sure about is the feasibility of (iv)

If you know enough about SMW, SF and JS to be able to comment on the
feasibility of (iv) then please reply to this mailing list.

If (iv) can be achieved then combining that with a variant of (i) it will
provide a handy workaround to a fundamental limitation of SF and thereby
open up the possibility of a form's template doing complex data manipulation
rather than straight forward semantic annotation.

P.S.   Please make use of IRC #semanticmediawiki  ... Users helping other
users interactively is a great way to grow the user-base and especially to
help newcomers/novices reach that "aha" point sooner rather than later.