[Code] custom file_loaded() and file_loaded?() v2.0.0

[Dan Rathbun]

Ok I guess I need to explain how to use a mixin module, using the global include() method.

In the example below (and in the template,) you change the word "Author", to YOUR toplevel module name.

This LoadUtil module is written FOR PRIVATE USE. append_features will not let it be included into any one else's namespace.
It makes Author::LoadUtil a private module !!

YOU use it by including it in your sub-modules.

# file; "Author/NiftyPlugin/Setup.rb"
module Author;;NiftyPlugin

  require("Author/LoadUtil")
  include(Author;;LoadUtil)

  unless file_loaded?("NiftyPlugin;Setup")
    # do code to setup menus
    # do code to setup toolbars
    file_loaded("NiftyPlugin;Setup")
  end

end

In the above code sample, the file_loaded and file_loaded? that get called, are the ones you mixed in (which LOCALLY overrode the global ones, that are defined in "Tools/sketchup.rb")

You have your OWN @@loaded_files array, up in module Author, that you keep all to yourself, and there will never be any clashes caused by OTHER people's scripts. (Now you can make a mistake and cause a clash, but you can fix it, without having to get someone else to change their code.)

[thomthom]

[Jim]

The only purpose of file_loaded appears to be as "menu guards" that prevent duplicate menu items from being created if the file is loaded more than once. This is helpful when developing a plugin, but what is the point in a released plugin? Better to not add elements to either a global $loaded_files or a namespaced equivalent.

[Dan Rathbun]

Sometimes it's easier to just "go with the flow.."

Keeping two editions (a debug, and a release,) for every script and plugin just confuses things.

Also there has been historical "bugs" and "quirks" in the way the Ruby's require worked. Remember that until SU 8.x, everyone was still running on the PC with 1.8.0, which had a require that works a bit differently than it does in later versions.

So.. a historical part of this issues, was also dealing with require's wanting to load the same file more than once.

[Anton_S]

Here is jst a little mistake in the script:


In append_features, mod.name returns "". Where first interacted mod itself is #<Class:Anton>.

Since, I quite don't know what should there be, I can't fix it. So Dan fix it please

[Dan Rathbun]

Anton, I set you a personalized copy of v2.0.0 by Private Message.

Everyone else... you can get the generic template v2.0.0 update, in the first post.

[Dan Rathbun]

Now.. that said.. yes there are alternatives.

Sometimes I use defined?

If the module var is going to be @@menu, then I use:

unless defined?(@@menu)
  @@menu=UI.menu('Plugins')
  # define items, etc
end

[Dan Rathbun]

@anton_s said:

In append_features, mod.name returns "". Where first interacted mod itself is #<Class:Anton>.

I did say it was not tested.. so it's at concept level.

It cannot get past the mod.name test, because I tried to include it into module Anton's proxy class, which is anonymous, so it has no name. (That is why mod.name == "") I thought it would call the name method of the Anton module, but it did not.

I will have to modify the tests a bit.

[Anton_S]

@dan rathbun said:

Anton, I set you a personalized copy of v2.0.0 by Private Message.

Lol, I feel speacial now.

[Dan Rathbun]

OK.. so, for those you who have read the thread.. looked at the template, and scratch your head and wonder why all the complexity to control a private array ??

Answer.. it's just an example, of a private library mixin module.

In practice, you can rename the mixin module to whatever you like... and insert whatever proprietary functionality you wish to include in only YOUR plugins (ie, methods in the mixin sections, other class variables and constants, etc.) whilst not allowing some other "hack" to use those features in their plugins.