Adding objects

FirstSpirit objects that are to be exported or synchronized can be selected as follows:

Using the tree structure of the stores

Objects intended for external synchronization can be added directly via the tree structure of the relevant stores. There is an entry called “Add to external synchronization” for this purpose in the context menu of an object suitable for synchronization. The selected object is then explicitly added to the external synchronization by calling up the context menu entry.

Furthermore, all of the selected object's higher level parent elements are implicitly added to the list of included objects. If the explicitly added object is a folder, all of the selected folder's higher level parent elements and lower level child elements will also be implicitly added to the list of included objects.

Even implicitly added objects will be synchronized in the external directory.

Implicitly added, not referenced child elements in the target project can be moved automatically by the system. See for this page Synchronizing objects, paragraph “Lost & Found”.

The user works on a view of the datasets in the Data Store when adding datasets. Data sources, filtered data sources (each without datasets) or even individual datasets can be added as objects here.

Specific permissions are required for being able to execute the “External synchronization” functionality from FirstSpirit version 5.1R2 on. If the user does not have sufficient permissions this context menu entry will not be displayed.

In the synchronization area

If the objects to be exported form a unit so that they can be imported into another project and function within it without issues, the required dependent objects are displayed in the Required missing references area (for more information see below).

Additional dependent objects that are not required for correct functioning of the objects to be exported are displayed in the Optional missing references area (for more information see below).

To select the desired objects for export or import, it is only necessary to select the checkbox in front of the particular object. All objects listed can be selected by activating the “Required missing references” checkbox and/or the “Optional missing references” checkbox. The objects will then be included in the synchronization process when the user clicks the “Add selected” link.

Required missing references

In this area, all objects are displayed that are required for exporting a self-contained, functional sub-area of a project. For example, if a page is exported, the templates on which this page is based are required in order to view the page when it is imported to another FirstSpirit project. The user must ensure that the necessary dependencies are present in the target project.

External synchronization can also be performed if the required dependencies have not been added for external synchronization. If these missing references are not already found in the target project, such as during synchronization that is performed exclusively between a project and an external directory, the synchronized objects in the target project are present, but may possibly be unusable and could cause errors in the project.

Required objects are displayed in list form, each with a checkbox for selecting each individual object. Clicking on an object in the list opens a tab with that object's forms in the SiteArchitect edit area for viewing. The object cannot be edited here, since it is an historical view. This can be identified by a clock symbol on the object icon (see paragraph Revision).

If all of the required references are made, then this area remains empty.

Required missing references: If this checkbox on the top end of the area is selected, then the checkbox for selecting an object is selected for all of the objects in the list.

Clicking on the link “Add selected” includes all of the objects selected in this area for synchronization.

Optional missing references

In this area, all objects are displayed that are also referenced by the object already selected for export, but they are not required for the export of a self-contained, functional sub-area of a project. For example, if a page is exported, the media referenced on this page can be added as an option.

Optional objects are displayed in list form with a checkbox for selecting each individual object. Clicking on an object in the list opens a tab with that object's forms in the SiteArchitect edit area for viewing. The object cannot be edited here, since it is a historical view. This can be identified by a clock symbol on the object icon (see paragraph Revision).

If all of the optional references are made then this area remains empty.

Optional missing references: If this checkbox on the top end of the area is selected, then the checkbox for selecting an object is selected for all of the objects in the list.

Clicking on the “Add selected” link includes all of the objects selected in this area for synchronization.