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Re: [WebERP-developers] FormDesigner.php
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From: icedlava <ice...@gm...> - 2013-11-14 09:23:25
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Hi Phil, Thanks for your feedback on the Form Designer. You know that I would agree with you on all the points made except perhaps point 4 regarding keeping the data in the database (granted data could be edited more easily but there may be other issues to address). Personally, I prefer to have (x)html/css in pure form with the addition of some variables that are required, with template selectable per company (if shared install). That would be ideal for me (I have some trial tempting for this that works ok). But, I'm not sure that webERP wants to go this way given that I have used templating engine (lightweight and fast one tho) that i have plugged in. Another way would be to have an override directory where the html/css layouts could be selected from and variables parsed in. There are also some ways to use the tcpdf lib in a more natural html/css template (or other pdf lib that is based on css/html alone). I have not looked at applying these in webERP yet. I'm happy to help with whatever method people think will be best long term for webERP. Cheers, Jo On 14 Nov 2013, at 19:24, Phil Daintree wrote: > Giuys, > > I do see the advantage of the form designer, BUT .... webERP has > always > been intended for business people to be able to modify as one of the > fundamental goals. > > I have several points about this: > > 1. I feel that the form designer as it stands is very limited - it is > not easy to get the form designed exactly as you wish it to be ... > there > is a lot of trial and error and it is hit and miss - anyone messing > around with formats using the form designer I am confident will come > away cursing and frustrated. > 2. Many businesses have unique requirements for their invoice layout > ... > say they wish to move the boxes to different places or different sizes > with some new boxes, with different radius curves or square boxes, > different fonts/sizes/colours have three images in different spots, > with > additional text explaining terms and conditions etc etc or put another > way there really are the endless ways in which a business will wish to > modify their invoice layout and the form designer ends up being a > limitation rather than an advantage. > 3. To actually achieve the customised design that the customer > actually > really wants will still entail getting into the code and the code for > form designer forms is WAY more complicated than the existing standard > scripts - which are nice and readable with minimal abstraction, long > variable names etc etc ... it is actually quite easy to modify the > standard scripts to make the layout exactly as the customer requires > using the standard forms as a base. > 4. The data for the reports is stored outside the database in xml > files, > creating another dependency on external data files. If we were to go > with customisable reports I would prefer the data to come from the > database like all other company data. > > Point 4 aside, I really do prefer the readable simple solution ... > even > though it appears to reduce the apparent functionality - actually it > provides the ultimate in flexibility afforded by the much more > approachable code. > > However, the key point I think you make Jo is this: > > "This then requires maintaining separate files for each client and > maintenance/upgrades become more and more labourious." > > I do agree it would be super to address this problem which is not > limited to just the reports, with some separate directory for modified > scripts under the companies directory - which is looked for first > before > the standard script somehow to remove this issue. I am not sure how to > implement this but I do think this would be a great addition and the > better way to resolve this situation rather than creating complicated > scripts to produce reports with very limited and awkward flexibility. > > Phil > > Phil Daintree > Logic Works Ltd - +64 (0)275 567890 > http://www.logicworks.co.nz > > On 14/11/13 03:20, icedlava wrote: >> Hi Rafael, >> >> I've also had to modify most forms such as sales invoice, statements, >> purchase orders, and more, and quite significantly for clients. Of >> course quickly and hard coded mostly for each. >> This then requires maintaining separate files for each client and >> maintenance/upgrades become more and more labourious. >> >> I think use of the form designer is sensible. I have not used >> something >> like this for some years but it seems preferable than the >> editing/hard >> coding i've been doing. >> >> There are some other methods i was thinking of and used in the past. >> However, as form designer is available and works, i'd be happy to >> assist >> to get it working for other forms if it is wanted. >> >> I had wondered if Form designer had been left and not used for >> invoices >> etc for a reason, pending some other method or just for lack of time. >> >> Thanks for your work Rafael. >> >> Cheers, >> Jo >> >> >> >> >> On 13 Nov 2013, at 23:43, Rafael Chacón wrote: >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> Unfortunately, in the past, I had to modify some forms such as the >>> sales-invoice and the purchase-order for an urgent specific >>> situation >>> (I >>> hard-coded them). >>> >>> Today, I am trying to turn these changes in general purpose changes >>> (configurable settings). >>> >>> Believe that the best way is to turn the forms modifiable >>> withFormDesigner.php. >>> >>> Comments? Suggestions? >>> >>> Regards, Rafael Chacon. >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> DreamFactory - Open Source REST & JSON Services for HTML5 & Native >>> Apps >>> OAuth, Users, Roles, SQL, NoSQL, BLOB Storage and External API >>> Access >>> Free app hosting. Or install the open source package on any LAMP >>> server. >>> Sign up and see examples for AngularJS, jQuery, Sencha Touch and >>> Native! >>> http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=63469471&iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk_______________________________________________ >>> Web-erp-developers mailing list >>> Web...@li... >>> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/web-erp-developers >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> DreamFactory - Open Source REST & JSON Services for HTML5 & Native >> Apps >> OAuth, Users, Roles, SQL, NoSQL, BLOB Storage and External API Access >> Free app hosting. Or install the open source package on any LAMP >> server. >> Sign up and see examples for AngularJS, jQuery, Sencha Touch and >> Native! >> http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=63469471&iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk >> _______________________________________________ >> Web-erp-developers mailing list >> Web...@li... >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/web-erp-developers > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > DreamFactory - Open Source REST & JSON Services for HTML5 & Native > Apps > OAuth, Users, Roles, SQL, NoSQL, BLOB Storage and External API Access > Free app hosting. Or install the open source package on any LAMP > server. > Sign up and see examples for AngularJS, jQuery, Sencha Touch and > Native! > http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=63469471&iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk > _______________________________________________ > Web-erp-developers mailing list > Web...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/web-erp-developers |
