Inserting at Position

This to me seems like it should be an almost simple solution, but for some reason, I'm having a brain fart.

I am building an extensive content management system for asp, complete with plugins and modules. The issue I'm running into is finding an efficient way of replacing the placeholder with the asp include.

Let me give you an example, in my past implementation, I had an extensive if... elseif... else statement that delimited the data with split command that would have to be hard coded into the index of the site.

My new solution is a little more elegant in theory, but I'm having issues implementing it.

The entire site is database driven, with records created for every page, there are tons of different modules scripted. These modules are held in another table on the database mapping out which include is needed for each different placeholder.

For example, I may have placeholders that look similar to

Code:

[$Calendar$] [$Users$] [$Blog Post$] [$FacebookComments$] etc

In the page table within the database, it may look similar to:

Code:

This is an example page created to showcase the power of the plugins. Below you'll find the gallery as well as a comment system. [$Gallery$] If you have any comments please post. [$Comments$] Thank you for your continued support [$FacebookLike$]

As you can see from the example, I have 3 separate plugins in this single page, and my idea was something similar to:

Get position of placeholder
At placeholder position insert asp include
Continue page.
Repeat

Can anyone think of an elegant way of accomplishing this?

EDIT

Ok guys, I'm pretty sure I've managed to get this working. I don't wish to mark this resolved yet because I believe there may be a few bugs still. In case anyone was wondering, the method I chose was creating a custom method to run through the page, eliminate the placeholders, and in their place, use the execute command to execute functions that I had stored within the database. All the plugins have their own set of includes that are added to the index when they're installed.

This is fairly sloppy, so if anyone can think of some revisions for it I'd really appreciate it.

Code:

<% Function InsertPlugins(sData) Dim strData: strData=sData Dim lngUpper: lngUpper = 0 Dim strPosition() Dim start Dim strPlaceholder Dim strPlugin Dim i [DATABASE CONNECTION STRING HERE] Do Until rs2.EOF start = 1 strPlaceholder = rs2.fields("pName") Do Until start = 0 start = instr(start, strData, strPlaceholder) If start> 0 then Redim Preserve strPosition(10000,lngUpper) strPosition(0, lngUpper) = start strPosition(1, lngUpper) = strPlaceholder start=start+len(strPlaceholder) lngUpper = lngUpper + 1 End If Loop rs2.movenext Loop rs2.close if int(lngUpper)>0 then for ii=0 to lngupper - 1 temp1 = strPosition(0,ii) temp2 = strPosition(1,ii) strPosition(0,ii) = temp2 strPosition(1,ii) = temp1 next strPosition2 = arraySort(strPosition, 1, "Number") for ii=0 to lngupper - 1 temp1 = strPosition2(0,ii) temp2 = strPosition2(1,ii) strPosition2(0,ii) = temp2 strPosition2(1,ii) = temp1 next response.write(left(strData,strPosition2(0,0)-1)) For i=0 to lngUpper - 1 if strPosition2(0, i) > 1 Then If i<lngUpper - 1 Then strPlugin = strPosition2(1,i) rs2.open "SELECT * FROM tblPlugins WHERE pName='" & strPlugin & "'",conn rs2.movefirst execute(rs2.fields("pFunction")) response.write(mid(strdata,strPosition2(0,i)+len(strPlugin), strPosition2(0,i+1)-strPosition2(0, i)-len(strPosition2(1, i)))) rs2.close else strPlugin = strPosition2(1,i) rs2.open "SELECT * FROM tblPlugins WHERE pName='" & strPlugin & "'",conn rs2.movefirst execute(rs2.fields("pFunction")) rs2.close End if else strPlugin = strPosition2(1, i) rs2.open "SELECT * FROM tblPlugins WHERE pName='" & strPosition2(1,i) & "'",conn rs2.movefirst execute(rs2.fields("pFunction")) rs2.close response.write(mid(strdata,strPosition2(0,i)+len(strPlugin), strPosition2(0,i+1)-strPosition2(0, i)-len(strPosition2(1, i)))) End If Next response.write(mid(strData, strPosition2(0, lngUpper - 1) + len(strPosition2(1,lngUpper - 1)))) end if InsertPlugins = lngUpper end Function function arraySort(arToSort, sortBy, compareType) Dim c, d, e, smallestValue, smallestIndex, tempValue For c = 0 To uBound( arToSort, 2 ) - 1 smallestValue = arToSort( sortBy, c ) smallestIndex = c For d = c + 1 To uBound( arToSort, 2 ) if compareType = "Text" then if strComp( arToSort( sortBy, d ), smallestValue ) < 0 Then smallestValue = arToSort( sortBy, d ) smallestIndex = d End if elseif compareType = "Date" then if not isDate( smallestValue ) then arraySort = arraySort( arToSort, sortBy, false) exit function else if dateDiff( "d", arToSort( sortBy, d ), smallestValue ) > 0 Then smallestValue = arToSort( sortBy, d ) smallestIndex = d End if end if elseif compareType = "Number" then if cint( arToSort( sortBy, d ) ) < cint(smallestValue) Then smallestValue = arToSort( sortBy, d ) smallestIndex = d End if end if Next if smallestIndex <> c Then 'swap For e = 0 To uBound( arToSort, 1 ) tempValue = arToSort( e, smallestIndex ) arToSort( e, smallestIndex ) = arToSort( e, c ) arToSort( e, c ) = tempValue Next End if Next arraySort = arToSort end function %>

Re: Inserting at Position

I'm fairly sure I've figured it out. After several hours of tinkering and research, I believed it's fool proof. At least I hope.

One request, if anyone can help me with a more efficient method of sorting my array, I'd be incredibly grateful.

Code:

<% Function InsertPlugins(sData) Dim strData: strData=sData Dim lngUpper: lngUpper = 0 Dim strPosition() Dim start Dim strPlaceholder Dim strPlugin Dim i [DATABASE CONNECTION STRING HERE] Do Until rs2.EOF start = 1 strPlaceholder = rs2.fields("pName") Do Until start = 0 start = instr(start, strData, strPlaceholder) If start> 0 then Redim Preserve strPosition(10000,lngUpper) strPosition(0, lngUpper) = start strPosition(1, lngUpper) = strPlaceholder start=start+len(strPlaceholder) lngUpper = lngUpper + 1 End If Loop rs2.movenext Loop rs2.close if int(lngUpper)>0 then for ii=0 to lngupper - 1 temp1 = strPosition(0,ii) temp2 = strPosition(1,ii) strPosition(0,ii) = temp2 strPosition(1,ii) = temp1 next strPosition2 = arraySort(strPosition, 1, "Number") for ii=0 to lngupper - 1 temp1 = strPosition2(0,ii) temp2 = strPosition2(1,ii) strPosition2(0,ii) = temp2 strPosition2(1,ii) = temp1 next response.write(left(strData,strPosition2(0,0)-1)) For i=0 to lngUpper - 1 if strPosition2(0, i) > 1 Then If i<lngUpper - 1 Then strPlugin = strPosition2(1,i) rs2.open "SELECT * FROM tblPlugins WHERE pName='" & strPlugin & "'",conn rs2.movefirst execute(rs2.fields("pFunction")) response.write(mid(strdata,strPosition2(0,i)+len(strPlugin), strPosition2(0,i+1)-strPosition2(0, i)-len(strPosition2(1, i)))) rs2.close else strPlugin = strPosition2(1,i) rs2.open "SELECT * FROM tblPlugins WHERE pName='" & strPlugin & "'",conn rs2.movefirst execute(rs2.fields("pFunction")) rs2.close End if else strPlugin = strPosition2(1, i) rs2.open "SELECT * FROM tblPlugins WHERE pName='" & strPosition2(1,i) & "'",conn rs2.movefirst execute(rs2.fields("pFunction")) rs2.close response.write(mid(strdata,strPosition2(0,i)+len(strPlugin), strPosition2(0,i+1)-strPosition2(0, i)-len(strPosition2(1, i)))) End If Next response.write(mid(strData, strPosition2(0, lngUpper - 1) + len(strPosition2(1,lngUpper - 1)))) end if InsertPlugins = lngUpper end Function function arraySort(arToSort, sortBy, compareType) Dim c, d, e, smallestValue, smallestIndex, tempValue For c = 0 To uBound( arToSort, 2 ) - 1 smallestValue = arToSort( sortBy, c ) smallestIndex = c For d = c + 1 To uBound( arToSort, 2 ) if compareType = "Text" then if strComp( arToSort( sortBy, d ), smallestValue ) < 0 Then smallestValue = arToSort( sortBy, d ) smallestIndex = d End if elseif compareType = "Date" then if not isDate( smallestValue ) then arraySort = arraySort( arToSort, sortBy, false) exit function else if dateDiff( "d", arToSort( sortBy, d ), smallestValue ) > 0 Then smallestValue = arToSort( sortBy, d ) smallestIndex = d End if end if elseif compareType = "Number" then if cint( arToSort( sortBy, d ) ) < cint(smallestValue) Then smallestValue = arToSort( sortBy, d ) smallestIndex = d End if end if Next if smallestIndex <> c Then 'swap For e = 0 To uBound( arToSort, 1 ) tempValue = arToSort( e, smallestIndex ) arToSort( e, smallestIndex ) = arToSort( e, c ) arToSort( e, c ) = tempValue Next End if Next arraySort = arToSort end function %>

Re: Inserting at Position

I haven't looked closely at the code but a quick glance appear that you know the name of your placeholder ahead of time and you're using that to find the position of where you want to do your insert. If that is the case couldn't you just use the Replace function instead of all the string manipulation?

Re: Inserting at Position

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkT

I haven't looked closely at the code but a quick glance appear that you know the name of your placeholder ahead of time and you're using that to find the position of where you want to do your insert. If that is the case couldn't you just use the Replace function instead of all the string manipulation?

Yes and no, replace would be able to remove the function, but it isn't going to find the location of where I have to insert the calls to the appropriate function.

Example

Code:

strData=replace(strData,Placeholder,FunctiontoExecute)

If I were to simply replace the placeholder with the Function, it would just write the function to the page, instead of executing it.

Re: Inserting at Position

Couldn't you call the function, place the return in a variable and use that in the replace call. I may not be seeing the bigger picture here.

Code:

Ret = FunctiontoExecute ' call the function strData=replace(strData,Placeholder,Ret )

Re: Inserting at Position

MarkT, I actually just attempted what you said and it doesn't seem to worth. It throws a mismatch error.

The reason the example you showed doesn't work is some of these plugins' functions have extensive methods within them. Some of them writing to the form several times.

Re: Inserting at Position

Well, this is somewhat frustrating. After rethinking it with a well rested and clear mind. I think I may have managed to restructure the functions to be able to handle piping the information over to the Plugin Function.

Here is what it looks like now

Code:

Function InsertPlugins(sData) [DATABASE QUERY] strData=sData do until rs2.eof execute("funct =" & rs2.fields("pFunction")) strData=replace(strData,rs2.fields("pName"),funct) rs2.movenext loop if strData<>sData then InsertPlugins2 = 1 response.write(strData) end if rs2.close End Function

Originally the subroutines my other code called were writing to the form within their own function. This new way should work, but I'll keep the old code just incase.

Re: Inserting at Position

Just wondering why you use the replace() function instead of insert()? I only vaguely read through your code, still a little confused.
vb Code:
Dim str As String = "this is string value"
str = str.Insert(str.IndexOf("string"), "my ")
edit: Disregard my post... I didn't see this was for asp.net, I assumed some kind of vb script.

Re: Inserting at Position

Quote:
Originally Posted by AceInfinity
Just wondering why you use the replace() function instead of insert()? I only vaguely read through your code, still a little confused.
vb Code:
Dim str As String = "this is string value"
str = str.Insert(str.IndexOf("string"), "my ")
edit: Disregard my post... I didn't see this was for asp.net, I assumed some kind of vb script.
Mine is asp, are you saying your code is asp.net?

Re: Inserting at Position

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxjerrett

Mine is asp, are you saying your code is asp.net?

No, and that's why I mentioned in my post to disregard my answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AceInfinity

edit: Disregard my post... I didn't see this was for asp.net, I assumed some kind of vb script.

Re: Inserting at Position

Just curious why you want the code in a DB. Seems that would be a PITA to update the code. Why not just put the code Server Side Include files and then include them where you want?

Re: Inserting at Position

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverickz

Just curious why you want the code in a DB. Seems that would be a PITA to update the code. Why not just put the code Server Side Include files and then include them where you want?

I do have all the functions within includes, it's a module based system, when they want to execute the code they use the CMS and put something like [$ContactF$] then it reads the plugin table, when it finds the appropriate plugin, it executes the appropriate function found in the SSI

Re: Inserting at Position

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxjerrett

I do have all the functions within includes, it's a module based system, when they want to execute the code they use the CMS and put something like [$ContactF$] then it reads the plugin table, when it finds the appropriate plugin, it executes the appropriate function found in the SSI

To me the easiest thing would be to just have them use SSI format wherever they want the plugin to go:


However if you really want to use the [$ContactF$] format, it might make more sense to write an ISAPI filter to preprocess the document before IIS parses it. Have the ISAPI filter replace [$ContactF$] with  then have IIS parse it and the includes should work as normal.

So the flow would be as follows:

Customer requests somepage.asp from IIS
IIS sees that your ISAPI filter is to be used for .asp extentions and passes the request to the ISAPI filter
The ISAPI filter retrieves the document requested and replaces the Text as needed.
The ISAPI filter returns the document to IIS for processing.
IIS executes the code in the includes as normal and returns the HTML to the customer.

Re: Inserting at Position

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverickz

To me the easiest thing would be to just have them use SSI format wherever they want the plugin to go:


However if you really want to use the [$ContactF$] format, it might make more sense to write an ISAPI filter to preprocess the document before IIS parses it. Have the ISAPI filter replace [$ContactF$] with  then have IIS parse it and the includes should work as normal.

So the flow would be as follows:

Customer requests somepage.asp from IIS
IIS sees that your ISAPI filter is to be used for .asp extentions and passes the request to the ISAPI filter
The ISAPI filter retrieves the document requested and replaces the Text as needed.
The ISAPI filter returns the document to IIS for processing.
IIS executes the code in the includes as normal and returns the HTML to the customer.

I wouldn't know of a decent way of deploying this in mass. This is a deployable CMS system that allows for quick installation on someone's server. I'm not sure how I could make it modify ISAPI filters directly.

Re: Inserting at Position

If you use an installer to deploy, it should be able to configure this. If you just want to unzip and go then yeah not so easy.

Re: Inserting at Position

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverickz

If you use an installer to deploy, it should be able to configure this. If you just want to unzip and go then yeah not so easy.

Yeah, you just move the files to the server and run the initialing page.