Exploring Content Types in Cascade Server

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By Morgan Griffith

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 11:30am

With the recent release of Cascade Server 5.5, Hannon Hill has introduced a new first-class element to the system - Content Types. At the most basic level, Content Types are a way to formally aggregate a page's Configuration Set, Metadata Set, and Data Definitions into a single administrative component. However, in their real-world application, Content Types provide increased ease of use and application to pages for end users.

How are Content Types set up?

Content Types are given intuitive and logical names such as "Blog Post" or "Press Release" to aid end-users in easily identifying which Content Type to use for each page.

How are Content Types created?

Because Content Types are first-class system assets that aggregate three commonly used assets - Configuration Sets, Metadata Sets, and Data Definitions, creating a new Content Type requires the use of an existing Configuration Set,  Metadata Set, and Data Definition. To create a new Content Type:

1. In the Administration area, select ‘Content Types’ from the left navigation area.
2. Navigate to the desired container, or create a new container to hold the new Content Type.
3. Click New Content Type.
   
4. In the General pane, complete the following:
   1. Name – Enter a descriptive name for your Content Type.
   2. Configuration Set - Select a Configuration Set to use for Assets that use your Content Type (*required*)
   3. Metadata Set - Select a Metadata Set to use with Assets that use your Content Type (*required*)
   4. Data Definition - Select a Data Definition to use for Assets that use your Content Type (*optional*)
   5. Parent Container – This value will already be set to the current container, but it can be changed, if desired, by clicking the chooser icon.
      
5. Click Submit to save your new Content Type.

How do end-users apply a Content Type to a page?

Content Types are assignable at the individual page level and can also be set for multiple pages using the Bulk Change tool. To assign a Content Type to an individual page:

1. Navigate to the desired page, and select the ‘Edit’ tab.
2. In the System pane, select the Content Type chooser and navigate to the desired Content Type.
   
3. Once you've selected the Content Type, click on the Metadata pane. The available Metadata fields displayed will be updated and are determined by the fields that exist in the new Content Type. The Data Definition fields and the page configurations will not be updated until a subsequent edit of the page.
4. Click ‘Submit’ to save your changes.

How will the addition of Content Types affect other elements of Cascade Server?

For System Administrators, the addition of Content Types to Cascade Server means the addition of a new Administration area Component. This allows administrators to select the appropriate Configuration Set, Metadata Set, and Data Definition to be used by the Content Type.When defining Content Type elements, three choosers are available:

• Configuration Set (required)
• Metadata Set (required)
• Data Definition (optional)

Additional System Changes with the release of Content Types:

• Page Changes - The choice of Content Type in use by a given page is editable. However, once a Content Type has been assigned to a given page and submitted, that page's Configuration Set, Metadata Set, and Data Definition will no longer be editable or displayed on the page form (located on the "System" pane).

• Versioned pages - Previous versions of pages will continue to be associated with previously selected Data Definition(s), Metadata Set(s), and Configuration Set(s) until use of Content Types is implemented. **Please Note - Past page versions previously associated with selected Data Definition(s), Metadata Set(s), and Configuration Set(s) will still be available. However, if these Data Definitions, Metadata Sets, and Configuration Sets were to be deleted, their association with a particular page is lost. If this is the case, upon reactivation of that page version, users will be prompted to select one of the new Content Types.

• Integrate Folder & New Site Wizard Tools - When integrating new pages using the Integrate Folder or New Site Wizard tools, new pages must use either the base page’s Content Type or a Configuration Set.

• Bulk Change - Bulk changing of Content Types will be available for any and all assets that have a Content Type assigned.

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