Customizing Datatypes

Introduction

Custom content types called “data types” here are an essential part of C1 CMS. When using data types, it is possible to keep and access data required for a website in a structured way, similar to storing data in database tables.

If you are new to C1 CMS data types, we recommend that you first read A Guide to Creating Data Types, which introduces you to the basics of data types.

This guide focuses on more advanced topics related to data types as well as forms based on these data types.

It includes topics about localizing data types and input forms as well as customizing the data item editor by editing a data type’s form markup.

Besides, it discusses ways of ensuring appropriate values in the input fields with validation rules and lists of predefined values supplied by referenced data types.

Widgets are presented in a greater detail and some practical information is given on grouping data items into tree-like structures.

Who Should Read This Guide?

This guide is intended for designers and developers who want to learn how to effectively edit and use data types in web design and web development in C1 CMS.

We assume that you know how to work in the Data perspective of C1 CMS and have permissions to create and edit data types. We also assume that you have an idea of structured data such as tables in databases.

Some topics might require that you should know XML and have an idea of .NET resource files.

Getting Started

Getting started with advanced topics on data types implies that you learn one or more related activities.

Getting Started

Activity

Chapter or section

How to localize data types and their data items

Localizing Data Types

How to localize forms to match the language used on your website

Localizing Forms

How to use and fine-tune advanced widgets for data type fields

Using Advanced Widgets

How to customize the data item forms by editing the form markup

Editing Form Markup

How to ensure that the user should enter proper values by using validation rules on fields

Applying Validation Rules to Fields

How to ensure that the user should enter proper values by using data types as lists of predefined values

Creating Data Types That Reference Other Data Types

How to present data items hierarchically by grouping them by data reference fields

Grouping by Data Reference Fields

 

In the following few chapters, you will learn more about these and other activities.

Terms and Abbreviations

The following is the list of terms and their definitions used throughout this guide.

Terms and Definitions

Term

Definition

Data type

An entity used to store and reuse structured data in C1 CMS

Validation rule

A criterion that ensures that input data meets the criterion and is thus correct

Form markup

An XML-based representation of the editor form used in C1 CMS to allow adding or editing data items

Widget

In C1 CMS, a control used for getting input values from users and storing them in corresponding data type fields