Synnefo » Pithos

0.5 (July 21, 2011)        Object update from another object's data.

\                          Update implementation guidelines.

* The ``history`` element, which allows browsing past instances of ``home`` and - optionally - ``trash``.

Some of these functions are performed by the client software and some by the Pithos server.

Implementation Guidelines

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Pithos clients should use the ``pithos`` and ``trash`` containers for active and inactive objects respectively. If any of these containers is not found, the client software should create it, without interrupting the user's workflow. The ``home`` element corresponds to ``pithos`` and the ``trash`` element to ``trash``. Use ``PUT`` with the ``X-Move-From`` header, or ``MOVE`` to transfer objects from one container to the other. Use ``DELETE`` to remove from ``pithos`` without trashing, or to remove from ``trash``. When moving objects, detect naming conflicts with the ``If-Match`` or ``If-None-Match`` headers (**TBD**). Such conflicts should be resolved by the user.

Object names should use the ``/`` delimiter to impose a hierarchy of folders and files.

The ``shared`` element should be implemented as a read-only view of the ``pithos`` container, using the ``shared`` parameter when listing objects. The ``others`` element, should start with a top-level ``GET`` to retrieve the list of accounts accessible to the user. It is suggested that the client software hides the next step of navigation - the container - if it only includes ``pithos`` and forwards the user directly to the objects.

Public objects are not included in ``shared`` and ``others`` listings. It is suggested that they are marked in a visually distinctive way in ``pithos`` listings (for example using an icon overlay).

At the object level, tags are implemented by managing metadata keys. The client software should allow the user to use any string as a tag and set the corresponding ``X-Object-Meta-<tag>`` key at the server. The API extensions provided, allow for listing all tags in a container and filtering object listings based on one or more tags. The tag list is sufficient for implementing the ``tags`` element, either as a special, virtual folder (as done in the first version of Pithos), or as an application menu.

A special application menu, or a section in application preferences, should be devoted to managing groups (the ``groups`` element). All group-related actions are implemented at the account level.

Browsing past versions of objects should be available both at the object and the container level. At the object level, a list of past versions can be included in the screen showing details or more information on the object (metadata, tags, permissions, etc.). At the container level, it is suggested that clients use a ``history`` element, which presents to the user a read-only, time-variable view of ``pithos`` contents. This can be accomplished via the ``until`` parameter in listings. Optionally, ``history`` may include ``trash``.