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Here's a good question regarding the 1.5 schema diagrams - is there a chance that we can put together this chart with indication as to whether a given table is part of the CMS, or part of the framework?

I'm working on a simple Hello World app, and sure could have used that information. Would be awesome to be able to show what tables are needed for a given framework app to function - say, based on what libraries are loaded.

Is something like that possible, or are we better off pushing that documentation into the framework reference for each class?

Oh, dbDesigner is getting replaced - still looking for something useful on the Mac (gasp)

Torkil, very nice.  As 1.5 beta 2 is out now, do you mind producing an updated version?  That would be really great.  I would like to print off a large copy and hang it on the office wall.

Thanks again!

when ready, I'll follow that idea, me too! 

If anyone has time, the program is Fabforce and here I posted rawcopy of database er.

http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,54850.0.html

Currently have no time to do it, I am porting oscommerce alpha4 to J1.5b2... Releases people, releases!

Still there is no answer of these questions..
# os_banner.editor: I don't see what this field does.
# jos_banner.type: The default banners have all type set to "banner". I don't see any place where I can add a "type" in the add form. When I add a new banner, the new banner gets type set to '' (nothing).
# jos_bannerclient.editor: I don't see what this field does.
# jos_bannerfinished: What does this table do? Seems like it's a new version of jos_banner that hasn't been completed. Seems like this version has support for startdate and stopdate, and not just impressions/clicks.
# jos_categories.parent_id: Not in use by the core, but maybe by 3rd party components?
# jos_categories.editor: What does this do?
# jos_components.menuid: What does this do? Same as jos_menu.componentid, which also does nothing?
# jos_content.parentid: Not in use?
# jos_core_acl-tables: I guess these will get a workover when the new ACL-stuff is in place?
# jos_menu.pollid: Hm. Not working? Supposed to point to a poll ID? I don't see that this is possible to set up right now.
# jos_menu.browserNav: No clue what this does!
# jos_messages.folder_id: Does the messaging system have folders? Might be keeping this for later on?
# jos_messages.priority: Does the messaging system have message priority implemented?
# jos_modules.client_id: I can see that this field is in use somehow, but what does it do?
# jos_newsfeeds.filename: In my default installation, this field isn't used at all. Seems like the link field serves this purpose?
# jos_newsfeeds: The order of the catid and id columns should be changed. Id should be on top. I know I'm weird...
# jos_plugins.client_id: Another cilent_id field. What are these for?
# jos_sections.scope: Hard to say if this is used beyond the value "content".
# jos_session.client_id: Another client_id field... Just wondering what good they do!
# jos_session.guest: The session table already has username and user_id in it, is there a need for a guest field too?
# jos_weblinks.sid: Doesn't seem to be in use.

Please explain on these questions.

These parent IDs would be great for implimenting sub-categories in a recursive manner...

Question 1: Was that the original intention?

While there are methods in place for accessing the database, unfortunately, there is _way_ too many direct SQL queries written in the joomla code. There is alot of code that has just been cut-and-pasted.  This makes managing the schema a terrible nightmare because you are now written into a corner. Change the schema too much and you break the whole thing.

Question 2: Has anyone begun to formalize the interface to the database, in such a way that the schema is effectively hidden from the joomla code base proper? 

Why would you want this? Because you could then recursively drop down through parent_id indexes and produce some truly astounding results. Do it all behind the scenes and keep the front-end and middle totally oblivious to any of the magic happening.

I know this is like working on a train going a 120 miles an hour and trying to replace the transmission... it's not impossible - just highly improbable..

Daniel

Guys, most of these fields are not used and are legacy from very early mambo days. A complete rework is going to happen in 2.0. You shouldn't use fields for purposes different than those from the core, even when they are empty. It could very well be, that J! overwrites your data at some point or another. This is why I strongly recommend not using the parentid field for any 3P subcategory thing. Wait for it to be implemented in J! in one of the next versions.

I am trying to make a component where registered user can post the articles from site, which is saved on ‘jos_content’ table and need to approve by Administrator to publish that article. And also I have to show the registered user ‘name’ on that article on created by.

I think we can’t use ‘created_by’ field which take only administrator users, so I used parentid field to save the registered user.

Questions :-

1. Can I use parentid field to save the registered user?
2. If can’t then please let me know other procedure?

I think you might post your questions in the Coding Forum http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/board,452.0.html - I know it is for everyone, even for newbie but I hope you find it useful...

As Hackwar said, these fields should be off limits.  

There is nothing stopping you from adding your own private cross reference table to the schema - DocMan does this.

The new table would be added during the installation of your component and there are many examples of this being done in the xml files of various third party plugins (such as DocMan)

You have an advantage with a private table, in that the administrator could then respond with a reason for denying the article. Thus a kind of audit trail for content approval would be available.

Just a thought.  

Some of those fields are, I think, new with plans, such as so that the potential for acl.

You shouldn't use them.

I have been looking for functional type descriptions of the database fields. The diagram is great in revealing the inter-relationship between tables, but I need simple field descriptions.

For example:  In the jos_users table, how is the 'sendEmail' field used?  I 'assumed' if set to 1, that an email would be sent when a new record was entered.  Apparently, my assumption was wrong. But I really have no idea. Setting that option to 1 appears not to have accomplished anything that I can see.

If anyone has access to the various table field descriptions I could really use it to increase my understanding!

Thanks,

Okay torkil, IMO, you are officially in the God category for documenting the DB structure. A clent has tasked me with migrating data from a home-grown content management system into Joomla. There are literally thousands of articles, so putting each in manually is not an option for them. Finding this has saved me untold analysis time.

If someone were to follow up on bgculler's post (quoted below) torkil would have a fellow Joomla geek to keep him company when his spirit ascends to be with the other Gods.

What a great idea for a docs project!
Go on over to the wiki and start laying it out, and I know some people will think this is sarcastic, but it is not. People will join in and start filling in the information I am sure of that if they just have a structure.

If you see a need, fill it.

Update:

Actually I liked that idea so much, i looked in the wiki and found

http://docs.joomla.org/Database_structure

and then I created

http://docs.joomla.org/Detailed_list_of_fields

which if anyone would like to help on filling in the information on, that would be awesome.

I haven't spare time, sorry but I like to post here my good opinion about that idea I hope somebody can help you (and so all of us!)

Hahaha, thanks, I am putting that quote in my forum signature.

Seriously though: I have put the DB schema XML source online a while back on my blog, and it contains field descriptions as well. The source files can be opened directly in dbDesigner.

Read more and download.

Remember that the schema is from 2006, so it might contain some errors.

thanx for your optimum (known) link, it's very very good! Anyway I hope to see an updated diagram, I hope yours, as an official one in a joomla.org site

@Newart, if you have 2 minutes to post, you have 2 minutes to help on the wiki I don't have spare time either, none of us do, but it doesn't stop me.

@Torkil, same thing, why don't you put that into the wiki? If you have questions about doing the xml part then ask on the documentation forum.

I have started contributing on the wiki lately, without being asked even!

Have to support mscmom: Remember that everything here is done by unpaid volunteers, so when you find help in other people's volunteer work, remember to pay it forward by doing something for the community yourself

@ mcsmom - I hope my 2 mins are right for the wiki... - pls explain how to

To help on the wiki, you go to http://docs.joomla.org and register. Once you get your activation email you can log in and then on most pages you can just click the edit tab to start editing.

To make a new page, find a page it would like from and edit it, add [newpagename], save and you will have a new page when you click on the link.

thanx, acct created - when possible I'll help the wiky community

Hi! I found the schema but is it possible to have a definition for each table and field?

Re-read this post to find what you are looking for:

There is a more up-to-date schema here:

viewtopic.php?p=750612

On clicking the above URL it gives me
Page not found (404) error.

Can you give me updated url, please

Thank you

http://www.torkiljohnsen.com/wp-content ... schema.png

For next time:
Please start a new topic instead of getting up an old one.
There are several people receiving mail now because you're responding on an old topic.

OK guys!
All of this talk about a DB schema reverse engineering, etc, but WHERE IS IT PUBLISHED?
The one URL was removed in the beginning, and the one that remains is a 404.
What's up with this thread??????????

I almost feel like writing an article myself about the database methods in Joomla.
There is serious confusion out there about what to use when...and how to use it.
I learned this in the college of "hard knocks" with lots of research and experimentation.
The existing documentation goes just so far, but often not far enough.

Then again, i read lots of threads where people just start writing code without reading ANY Joomla lit before they begin. Oh well...

I have an old version for Joomla 1.5 here:
http://www.torkiljohnsen.com/2006/04/30 ... se-schema/

Be sure to read the comments below the article, that will explain a few things, like how to show data types.

I'll also post a 1.6-version of this soon

As you had read my post, there was a link to an excisting file (Screenshot).
This is a topic of allmost 2 years old. So don't expect all links are working.