Calling Custom Attributes from Application into Packaged Theme

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Hi, I hope someone could help guide me in the right direction.

I have just begun to dig into Concrete5 8.(whatever the version).... and have been tasked with creating a page template that dynamically displays a side bar iterating lists of pages, files and posts. Bit like WordPress basing the feeds on categories and tags.

So my programming thinking is as follows:

- tag everything for the task with the same tag e.g. (news)
- use my newly created custom attribute 'category' to place the individual content pieces into news categories
- use a php switch case to feed certain categories when a certain category ID is assigned to the page itself.

So: if page category is 1, then feed category 3, if page category is 3, feed 2 and so on.....

I have successfully created the attributes and they are working well, but outside of the theme (which is in a package). I have declared the name spaces of the new attribute files in the theme's controller and have tried a couple of methods (in terms of public functions) but the category assigned to the page won't print or echo out as a starter point to getting the switch case in place.

I appreciate that the above is a call for help, and do not in any way want someone writing any code for me on this. I have scoured the web for some resource, but can't seem to find anything that has helped. Any nudges in the right direction to a document or tutorial would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

 
MrKDilkington replied on at Permalink Reply
MrKDilkington
Hi BenSegniPH,

Can you include more specific details about what you are trying to create, please. This will help in seeing if there is a built-in approach to accomplish the task.
BenSegniPH replied on at Permalink Reply 1 Attachment
Hi Mr Dilkington,

yes of course, thanks for the reply. So, I come from a front-end background predominantly with AngularJS, a MVC Framework also. I have attached the file structure I am currently working with and from research, the previous developer has created a packaged theme where I require "injecting" my new custom attributes into the packaged theme. so open files need to be injected into the package directory.

I have built the attribute (a select attribute) using this documentation:
https://documentation.concrete5.org/developers/attributes/creating-c...

I tried the attributes into themes, but the results weren't good - had to retrace my steps. I guess what I am needing to understand is the equivalent process of "dependency injection" in Concrete5 - where I am able to see that external features are able to be injected into a controller and then exposed to the views.

I have a page template which requires exposure to this select custom attribute. I can then implement a pHp switch case, where when a certain category is assigned to the page template, it only shows a certain category of content in the right hand side bar - which will be an iteration in list format.

I've tried mapping the attribute in the Application directory to the theme package and then declared a new public function building off the attribute, but I am getting lots of "call to member function .......() undefined". So in AngularJS terms, the new feature isn't binding to the view, so I can play with the data. I'm sure there are better pHp terms to use here. if I've missed any details out, please let me know and I will clarify further.
BenSegniPH replied on at Permalink Reply
A quick update, I decided to follow the next chapter again and with a better understanding of name spaces, I have managed to install the attribute as a package.

I need to associate this new feature to the page types within the theme, but struggling with the final instruction:

"so let's add this code for associating this attribute type to the page attribute category".

$service = $this->app->make('Concrete\Core\Attribute\Category\CategoryService');
        $category = $service->getByHandle('category_type')->getController();
        $category->associateAttributeKeyType($type);


any guidance as to how this can be actioned, would be appreciated. TIA.
tallacman replied on at Permalink Best Answer Reply
tallacman
You'll no doubt find thishttp://webli.us/cheatsheet/doku.php... helpful
BenSegniPH replied on at Permalink Reply
Hi Sir!

thanks for this, I found this yesterday. Sadly, I think my problem might be a little more complicated - could be wrong though. My attribute is stored in Application and I am trying to get it to expose to pages in a packaged theme.