Adding data tables to the CS database

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chrisrsimons Posted: Thu, Mar 29 2007 9:41 PM

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Hi all,

Is it detrimental in any way to add custom data tables to the default CS database?  For example, I'd like to add some resource/lookup data for a new flavor of "CreateEditPost".  In order to do so, I would be adding a new table to the database (or a separate database, if that were more advisable) and populate a variety of fields (perhaps even a data grid) using the other table prior to submitting the form?  I suspect it makes little difference to how CS functions...however, I want to enable the *searching* of this new table through the existing "Search" functionality of CS.

So, when the user were to "Search" - it would pull up results not only from Forums, Blogs, Galleries, etc. but also the custom table.  If this is to work, which properties file do I need to edit to specify the parameters and attributes of the new custom table?  Is this type of custom development possible?

Thanks very much!
 

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John Bledsoe replied on Fri, Mar 30 2007 10:11 AM

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chrisrsimons:

... Is this type of custom development possible?

Heh--*all* types of custom development are possible, given enough time and resources.  But seriously, I'm looking into your question.  Here are a couple of initial thoughts:

1. There shouldn't be any problem adding tables to the CS database.  Speaking from a SQL Server DBA's perspective, small or moderately sized additional tables shouldn't affect your installation at all.  In fact, depending on how you plan to hook into the search functionality, you want the tables in the CS database.  I would clearly name them as custom tables, but that's all.
2. I can't give a definitive answer yet, but it looks like you can customize the Search Barrel by adding custom subclasses of BarrelItem and SearchJob.  Then, you can edit the communityserver.config file to include your custom search item and population job.

I hope that helps.  Let me know how your development goes!

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chrisrsimons replied on Fri, Mar 30 2007 12:46 PM

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Hi John,

This will help enormously - thank you.  As you probably know, it can sometimes be difficult to find the class or code file that contributes to any given CS capability.  Now I know to start my look into BarrelItem and SearchJob.   

I was initially very weary about custom development with CS; the multitude of files, the dependence on resource files, and the custom controls, really made my initial efforts daunting.  Now, finally, it is all coming together.  Also, I notice with CS 2007 Beta 2, finding what you need seems to be a bit easier.

Thanks for your response. 

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sempf replied on Sun, Apr 1 2007 2:49 PM

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Hi, Chris.

Just my $0.02: I am implementing an LMS with Community Server, and I added all of the LMS tables right into the CS database.  Having no problems at all.  I prefaced all of my tables with 'lms_' (and the sprocs and views too) and it is rolling right along.

S

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chrisrsimons replied on Mon, Apr 2 2007 9:02 AM

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sempf,

 I am doing the same and having no issues thus far.

Thanks.
 

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shakes replied on Sun, Jun 24 2007 11:36 PM

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would any of you be so kind as to write about how you went about creating those tables and calling upon them within cs 

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sempf replied on Mon, Jun 25 2007 8:34 AM

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Speaking for myself, I just added them using Management Studio, and am accessing them through ADO.NET.  I am not using the CS infrastructure to interact with them.

S