ModuleStudio module: automatically set field values on creation

Requirement

Automated assignation of values to hidden form fields.

Case example

Creating a part number consisting of the 'current user ID' & timestamp splitted by dash.

Example: 2-1533134203

A URL parameter like &set_partnumber=xyz is not an option in this case as the user potentially could manipulate the field value, even if the form field is 'read only' or 'hidden'.

Assuming that a user is only logged in once at a time, the combination of userID & timestamp leads to a unique part number.

Solution

This approach is valid for modules that have been built with ModuleStudio.

1. In Resources/config/entityFactory.yml find the definition of your entity intialiser and then add below it's arguments:

   calls:
   - [setCurrentUserApi, ['@zikula_users_module.current_user']]

2. Next edit Entity/Factory/EntityInitialiser.php and replace

   /**
   * Entity initialiser class used to dynamically apply default values to newly created entities.
   */
   class EntityInitialiser extends AbstractEntityInitialiser
   {
       // feel free to customise the initialiser
   }

   by

   use ITThiele\JumbleSeekerModule\Entity\FooEntity;
   use Zikula\UsersModule\Api\ApiInterface\CurrentUserApiInterface;
   
   /**
   * Entity initialiser class used to dynamically apply default values to newly created entities.
   */
   class EntityInitialiser extends AbstractEntityInitialiser
   {
       /**
       * @var CurrentUserApiInterface
       */
       protected $currentUserApi;
   
       public function setCurrentUserApi(CurrentUserApiInterface $currentUserApi)
       {
           $this->currentUserApi = $currentUserApi;
       }
   
       /**
       * @inheritDoc
       */
       public function initFoo(FooEntity $entity)
       {
           $entity = parent::initFoo($entity);
   
           $userId = $this->currentUserApi->get('uid');
           $entity->setTableColumn($userId . '-' . time());
   
           return $entity;
       }
   }

   • Replace Foo with the name of your Entity.
   • Replace TableColumn with the name of the column you want to fill automatically.

3. Inside MOST look at the application properties of your model and do the following changes to prevent the generator from overriding your changes:

   • add Resources/config/entityFactory.yml to markFiles
   • add Entity/Factory/EntityInitialiser.php to skipFiles

4. Also inside MOST look at the properties of the TableColumn field and set visible=false.

5. Regenerate and copy/move the new files to your existing installation.

6. Test if it works (the TableColumn field should not be part of the edit form anymore, but it's value should be set automatically without any GET or POST parameters).