Difference between revisions of "Gramplets"

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This page describes the technical details of Gramplets. If you are interested in using Gramplets, please see [[Gramps 3.1 Wiki Manual - Gramplets]].
+
{{man warn|Warning:|This section contains technical details about programming Gramplets and is intended for Developers. <br><br>'''If you are interested in using Gramplets, please see the [[Gramps_5.1_Wiki_Manual_-_Gramplets|user manual section on gramplets]]'''.}}
 +
 
 +
A '''Gramplet''' is a type of Gramps plugin. Gramplets are mini-view that is designed to be composed with other Gramplets or Views to create a way to see your Family Tree that is just right for you. In fact, Gramplets can be made to do just about anything that you want.
 +
 
 +
[[File:DashboardCategory-DashboardView-default-gramplets-50.png|450px|thumb|right|Default Gramplets on Dashboard]]
  
[[Category:Developers/General]][[Category:Developers/Tutorials]][[Category: Plugins]]
 
  
 
= Gramplet Interface =
 
= Gramplet Interface =
  
[[Image:Gramplets.png|thumb|right|Gramplet]]
+
There are 6 main kinds of plugins:
 
 
A Gramplet is a type of GRAMPS plugin. A Gramplet is a mini-view that is designed to be composed with other Gramplets or Views to create a way to see your Family Tree that is just right for you. In fact, Gramplets can be made
 
to do just about anything that you want. There are 6 main kinds of plugins:
 
  
 
# '''Reports''': output for printing or display
 
# '''Reports''': output for printing or display
Line 17: Line 17:
 
# '''Gramplets''': interactive views for moving, analysing, displaying, etc.
 
# '''Gramplets''': interactive views for moving, analysing, displaying, etc.
  
There are two plugin directories: a global/system one, and a
+
There are two plugin directories: a global/system one, and a private/personal one.  You can easily create a plugin by simply putting a file in your personal plugin directory (usually in ''.gramps/grampsxx/plugins/gramplet/'' ).
private/personal one.  You can easily create a plugin by simply
 
putting a file in your personal plugin directory (usually in
 
.gramps/plugins).
 
  
 
== Hello World ==
 
== Hello World ==
  
In teaching programming, a common "first program" is to write a program that
+
In teaching programming, a common "first program" is to write a program that says "Hello World".
says "Hello World". Let's jump right in and take a look at such a gramplet:
+
 
 +
Let us jump right in and take a look at such a gramplet named ''HelloWorld.py'':
  
 +
Create a python file named ''HelloWorld.py'' and add the following content:
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
 +
# File: HelloWorld.py
 
def init(gui):
 
def init(gui):
  gui.set_text("Hello world!")
+
    gui.set_text("Hello world!")
 +
</pre>
  
from DataViews import register
+
And create another python file named ''HelloWorld.gpr.py'' with the following content:
  
register(type="gramplet",  
+
<pre>
         name="Hello World Gramplet",  
+
# File: HelloWorld.gpr.py
         tname="Hello World Gramplet",
+
register(GRAMPLET,
 +
        id="Hello World Gramplet",  
 +
         name=_("Hello World Gramplet"),
 +
         description = _("a program that says 'Hello World'"),
 +
        status = STABLE,
 +
        version="0.0.1",
 +
        fname="HelloWorld.py",
 
         height = 20,
 
         height = 20,
         content = init,  
+
         gramplet = 'init',
         title="Sample Gramplet",  
+
         gramplet_title=_("Sample Gramplet"),
 +
        gramps_target_version="5.1",
 +
        help_url="Sample Gramplet"
 
         )
 
         )
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
If you copy this text into a file in your plugins directory, and then
+
You can read more about the gpr.py file in [[Addons_development#Create_a_Gramps_Plugin_Registration_file|Addons development]] and the [https://github.com/gramps-project/gramps/blob/master/gramps/gen/plug/_pluginreg.py source code implementation].
either restart GRAMPS or go to Help -> Plugin Status -> Reload, the
+
 
you'll be able to create this Gramplet. On the Gramplet View,
+
If you place these files in '''your personal [[Gramps_5.0_Wiki_Manual_-_User_Directory|user plugins directory]]''' (usually in ''.gramps/grampsxx/plugins/gramplet/'' ), and then restart Gramps, you will be able to create this Gramplet. On the '''Dashboard Category View''', right-click in an open area and select the "Hello World Gramplet". You should then see:
right-click in an open area and select the "Hello World Gramplet". You
 
should then see:
 
  
[[Image:HelloWorldGramplet.png]]
+
[[File:HelloWorldGramplet-example-shown-embeded-on-DashboardCategory-50.png|thumb|400px|left|Hello World Gramplet - example (shown embedded on Dashboard Category View)]]
 +
 
 +
{{-}}
  
 
=== Explanation ===
 
=== Explanation ===
  
The main work of a Gramplet is performed in a function, or a class. In
+
The main work of a Gramplet is performed in a function, or a class. In this very simple example, a function <code>init</code> is defined that takes a single argument, <code>gui</code>. The function simply sets the gui's text area to be "Hello World!", and that's it. It does this just once, and never changes.
this very simple example, a function '''init''' is defined that takes
 
a single argument, gui. The function simply sets the gui's text area
 
to be "Hello World!", and that's it. It does this just once, and never
 
changes.
 
  
Before a plugin can be used, it needs to be "registered". The Gramplet
+
Before a plugin can be used, it needs to be "registered". You call the register function with a number of named-arguments. There are a number of named-arguments that you can provide, including: name, height, content, title, expand, state, and data. We will explore those in detail, below.
interfaces uses a slightly different method for registering than the
 
other plugins. Here, you import the "register" function from the
 
DataViews module. Then you call the register function with a number of
 
named-arguments. There are a number of named-arguments that you can
 
provide, including: name, height, content, title, expand, state, and
 
data. We will explore those in detail, below.
 
  
 
== Hello World, with Class ==
 
== Hello World, with Class ==
Line 71: Line 70:
  
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
from DataViews import register, Gramplet
+
# File: HelloWorld2.py
 +
from gramps.gen.plug import Gramplet
  
 
class HelloWorldGramplet(Gramplet):
 
class HelloWorldGramplet(Gramplet):
 
     def init(self):
 
     def init(self):
 
         self.set_text("Hello world!")
 
         self.set_text("Hello world!")
 +
</pre>
  
register(type="gramplet",  
+
<pre>
         name="Hello World2 Gramplet",  
+
# File: HelloWorld2.gpr.py
         tname="Hello World2 Gramplet",
+
register(GRAMPLET,
         height = 20,
+
        id="Hello World2 Gramplet",  
         content = HelloWorldGramplet,  
+
         name=_("Hello World2 Gramplet"),
         title="Sample2 Gramplet",  
+
         description = _("a program that says 'Hello World'"),
 +
        version="0.0.1",
 +
        gramps_target_version="5.1",
 +
        status = STABLE,
 +
        fname="HelloWorld2.py",
 +
         height = 20,  
 +
         gramplet = 'HelloWorldGramplet',
 +
         gramplet_title=_("Sample Gramplet"),
 +
        help_url="5.1_Addons#Addon_List"
 
         )
 
         )
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
This is the recommended method of creating a Gramplet. The following details
+
This is the '''recommended method''' of creating a Gramplet. The following details describe the properties and methods of this class.
describe the properties and methods of this class.
 
  
 
== Register Options ==
 
== Register Options ==
  
* '''type''': the case-insensitive keyword "gramplet"
+
* '''GRAMPLET''': the first argument is the keyword GRAMPLET
* '''name''': the gramplet's name, unique among gramplets
+
* '''id''': the identifying name of the gramplet, unique among all plugins
* '''tname''': the gramplet's name, translated
+
* '''name''': the translated gramplet's name
* '''height''': the minimum or maximum height of the gramplet in normal mode
+
* '''height''': the minimum (or maximum) height of the gramplet in normal mode
* '''content''': the function or class name of your code
+
* '''fname''': the name of your gramplet file
* '''title''': the default gramplet title; user changeable
+
* '''gramplet''': the name of the function or class in fname that creates the gramplet
 +
* '''gramplet_title''': the default gramplet title; user changeable in ''Configure View''
 +
* '''status''': STABLE or UNSTABLE
 +
* '''version''': a string with 2 dots (such as "1.23.14") representing the version number
 +
* '''gramps_target_version''': a string with 2 dots representing the version of Gramps for which this gramplet was written. Only gramplets matching the installed version will be available for installation.
 +
* '''help_url''': the title of the wiki page that describes the gramplet. <br />If the help_url starts with <code>http://</code> then that fully qualified URL will be used as is. Otherwise, the paths will be interpreted as relative to <code>http&#58;//gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php?title=</code> base URL. The base URL will be prepended to the '''help_url''' and may get a language extension (such as <code>/nl</code> ) appended at the end, if the operating language is one of '''nl''' '''fr''' '''sq''' '''mk''' '''de''' '''fi''' '''ru''' '''sk'''. You should '''''not''''' use the <code>_(</code> <code>)</code> translate function around the '''help_url''' string, unless you specifically intend to create web pages named with the translated string.
  
At the bare minimum, you need to have the above 6 options when registering your Gramplets.
+
At the bare minimum, you need to have the above 10 options when registering your Gramplets.
  
 
In addition, you can use the following as well:
 
In addition, you can use the following as well:
Line 105: Line 118:
 
* '''detached_height''': the size in pixels of the minimum and default detached height
 
* '''detached_height''': the size in pixels of the minimum and default detached height
 
* '''expand''': whether or not the Gramplet should expand to fill the column, if it can
 
* '''expand''': whether or not the Gramplet should expand to fill the column, if it can
* '''version''': a string with 2 dots (such as "1.23.14") representing the version number
+
* '''description''': a description of the gramplet
* '''gramps''': a string with 2 dots representing the version of GRAMPS that this gramplet was written for
 
  
 
== Core Methods ==
 
== Core Methods ==
 +
 +
The class-based gramplet utilizes the following methods:
  
 
* '''init()''': run once, on construction
 
* '''init()''': run once, on construction
Line 119: Line 133:
 
Don't call main directly; use the update method.
 
Don't call main directly; use the update method.
  
In the db_changed method, you should connect all of the signals that
+
In the db_changed method, you should connect all of the signals that will trigger an update. That typically looks like:
will trigger an update. That typically looks like:
 
  
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
Line 131: Line 144:
 
         self.dbstate.db.connect('family-update', self.update)
 
         self.dbstate.db.connect('family-update', self.update)
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
 +
 +
The method main() can be written as a normal Python method, or it can be written to run nicely in parallel with other Gramps code. To make it run nicely in parallel, you should issue a '''yield True''' every once in a while. For example:
 +
 +
<pre>
 +
    def main(self):
 +
        for i in range(5000):
 +
            if i % 500 == 0:
 +
                yield True
 +
        yield False
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
The '''True''' means that there is more to do; '''False''' means that there is nothing left to do.
  
 
== Textual Output Methods ==
 
== Textual Output Methods ==
  
The most common kinds of Gramplets are text-based. There are a number of
+
The most common kinds of Gramplets are text-based. There are a number of methods to assist with handling this text.
methods to assist with handling this text.
 
  
 
* '''set_text(TEXT)''' - clear and set text to TEXT
 
* '''set_text(TEXT)''' - clear and set text to TEXT
Line 142: Line 166:
 
* '''clear_text()''' - clears all text
 
* '''clear_text()''' - clears all text
 
* '''set_use_markup(BOOLEAN-VALUE)'''
 
* '''set_use_markup(BOOLEAN-VALUE)'''
* '''render_text(TEXT)''' - for use with B, I, U, and TT tags
+
* '''render_text(TEXT)''' - for use with A, B, I, U, and TT tags
 +
** A for creating links; use tag '''HREF="url"''' for URLs, and '''WIKI="name"''' for pages on the wiki
 +
** B for bold
 +
** I for italics
 +
** U for underlined
 +
** TT for a fixed-width, typewriter font
 
* '''link(TEXT, LINK-TYPE, DATA)''' -  
 
* '''link(TEXT, LINK-TYPE, DATA)''' -  
 
** TEXT can be any text
 
** TEXT can be any text
Line 186: Line 215:
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
== GUI Interface ==
+
==GUI Interface==
 +
* [[Gramplets#Widget_Gramplet_example|Widget Gramplet example]]
 +
* [[Gramplets#Cairo_Clock_Example|Cairo Clock Example]]
 +
{{stub}}
  
Occasionally, you might have to dive down to the graphical objects that
+
===Widget Gramplet example===
compose a Gramplet.
+
Occasionally, you might have to dive down to the graphical objects that compose a Gramplet.
  
 
* gui
 
* gui
Line 199: Line 231:
  
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
 +
# File: Widget.py
 
from gettext import gettext as _
 
from gettext import gettext as _
from DataViews import Gramplet, register
+
from gramps.gen.plug import Gramplet
 +
from gi.repository import Gtk
 +
 
 +
class WidgetGramplet(Gramplet):
 +
    def init(self):
 +
        self.gui.WIDGET = ### Some Widget Constructor ###
 +
        self.gui.get_container_widget().remove(self.gui.textview)
 +
        self.gui.get_container_widget().add_with_viewport(self.gui.WIDGET)
 +
        self.gui.WIDGET.show()
 +
</pre>
 +
 
 +
<pre>
 +
# File: Widget.gpr.py
 +
 
 +
register(GRAMPLET,
 +
        id= "Widget Gramplet",
 +
        name=_("Widget Gramplet"),
 +
        description = _("Widget Gramplet example"),
 +
        height=100,
 +
        expand=False,
 +
        gramplet = 'WidgetGramplet',
 +
        gramplet_title=_("Widget"),
 +
        version = '0.0.1',
 +
        gramps_target_version = "5.1",
 +
        fname="Widget.py",
 +
        )
 +
</pre>
 +
 
 +
====Gramps 3.x and older====
 +
<pre>
 +
# File: Widget.py
 +
from gettext import gettext as _
 +
from gramps.gen.plug import Gramplet
 
import gtk
 
import gtk
  
 
class WidgetGramplet(Gramplet):
 
class WidgetGramplet(Gramplet):
 
     def init(self):
 
     def init(self):
         self.gui.WIDGET = gtk.WIDGET()
+
         self.gui.WIDGET = ### Some Widget Constructor ###
 
         self.gui.get_container_widget().remove(self.gui.textview)
 
         self.gui.get_container_widget().remove(self.gui.textview)
 
         self.gui.get_container_widget().add_with_viewport(self.gui.WIDGET)
 
         self.gui.get_container_widget().add_with_viewport(self.gui.WIDGET)
 
         self.gui.WIDGET.show()
 
         self.gui.WIDGET.show()
 +
</pre>
  
register(type="gramplet",  
+
<pre>
         name= "Widget Gramplet",  
+
# File: Widget.gpr.py
         tname=_("Widget Gramplet"),  
+
register(GRAMPLET,  
 +
         id= "Widget Gramplet",  
 +
         name=_("Widget Gramplet"),  
 
         height=100,
 
         height=100,
 
         expand=False,
 
         expand=False,
         content = WidgetGramplet,
+
         fname="Widget.py",
         title=_("Widget"),
+
        gramplet = "WidgetGramplet",
 +
        gramps_target_version = "3.4",
 +
         gramplet_title=_("Widget"),
 
         )
 
         )
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
In fact, with Python, gtk, and cairo, you can make your own widgets that do pretty much anything and look very nice. Here is an example adding a Cairo Clock (which really keeps time) to GRAMPS: [[Media:ClockGramplet.zip|ClockGramplet.zip]]
+
===Cairo Clock Example===
  
Here it is on the Gramplet view:
+
[[File:ClockGramplet-addon-example-50.png|thumb|400px|right|Clock Gramplet - shown detached (Gramps 5.0.0)]]
  
[[Image:ClockScreen.png|400px|Clock on Gramplet View]]
+
In fact, with Python, GTK, and cairo, you can make your own widgets that do pretty much anything and look very nice.  
  
and detached:
+
Here is an example adding a Cairo Clock (which really keeps time)
 
+
* With GTK+3 & Gramps 5.1
[[Image:ClockGramplet.png|400px|Clock Gramplet detached]]
+
** Github code: [https://github.com/gramps-project/addons-source/tree/maintenance/gramps51/ClockGramplet ClockGramplet]
 +
** Manual Download: [https://github.com/gramps-project/addons/blob/master/gramps51/download/ClockGramplet.addon.tgz?raw=true ClockGramplet.addon.tgz]
 +
{{-}}
  
 
== GUI Options ==
 
== GUI Options ==
  
 
* '''add_option(OPTION)'''
 
* '''add_option(OPTION)'''
** OPTION is one of the menu options:
+
** OPTION is one of the menu options in [https://github.com/gramps-project/gramps/tree/master/gramps/gen/plug/menu gramps/gen/plug/menu] eg:
 
*** NumberOption
 
*** NumberOption
 
*** EnumeratedListOption
 
*** EnumeratedListOption
Line 245: Line 317:
 
*** NoteOption
 
*** NoteOption
 
*** MediaOption
 
*** MediaOption
*** see src/gen/plug/menu/ for others
+
*** PersonListOption
 +
*** PlaceListOption
 +
*** SurnameColorOption
 +
*** DestinationOption
 +
*** StyleOption
 +
*** BooleanListOption
 
* '''build_options()'''
 
* '''build_options()'''
 
* '''save_options()'''
 
* '''save_options()'''
Line 251: Line 328:
 
* '''get_option(TEXT)'''
 
* '''get_option(TEXT)'''
  
== Predifined Properties ==
+
== Predefined Properties ==
  
 
There are a number of preset properties:
 
There are a number of preset properties:
Line 274: Line 351:
  
 
* '''force_update''': set True to have the gramplet update, even when minimized
 
* '''force_update''': set True to have the gramplet update, even when minimized
 +
 +
== Learning More ==
 +
 +
To learn more about writing a Gramplet, it is suggested to look at the existing Gramplets. You can see a complete list of the Gramplet source code here:
 +
 +
* [https://github.com/gramps-project/gramps/tree/maintenance/gramps34/src/plugins Gramps 3.4 Gramplets]
 +
* [https://github.com/gramps-project/gramps/tree/maintenance/gramps42/gramps/plugins/gramplet Gramps 4.2 Gramplets]
 +
* [https://github.com/gramps-project/gramps/tree/maintenance/gramps50/gramps/plugins/gramplet Gramps 5.0 Gramplets]
 +
* [https://github.com/gramps-project/gramps/tree/maintenance/gramps51/gramps/plugins/gramplet Gramps 5.1 Gramplets]
 +
* [https://github.com/gramps-project/gramps/tree/master/gramps/plugins/gramplet Gramps Master Gramplets]
 +
 +
Click on a filename, to view the source code of that Gramplet.
 +
 +
* [https://github.com/gramps-project/gramps/blob/master/gramps/gen/plug/_gramplet.py master/gramps/gen/plug/_gramplet.py] - Base class for non-graphical gramplet code.
 +
 +
[[Category:Addons]]
 +
[[Category:Developers/General]]
 +
[[Category:Developers/Tutorials]]
 +
[[Category: Plugins]]
 +
[[Category:Gramplets]]

Revision as of 17:48, 28 September 2020

Gnome-important.png
Warning:

This section contains technical details about programming Gramplets and is intended for Developers.

If you are interested in using Gramplets, please see the user manual section on gramplets.

A Gramplet is a type of Gramps plugin. Gramplets are mini-view that is designed to be composed with other Gramplets or Views to create a way to see your Family Tree that is just right for you. In fact, Gramplets can be made to do just about anything that you want.

Default Gramplets on Dashboard


Gramplet Interface

There are 6 main kinds of plugins:

  1. Reports: output for printing or display
  2. Tools: a method for processing data
  3. Quick View: a list of details based on the current object
  4. Importer: reads a file into your current tree
  5. Exporter: writes a file from your current tree
  6. Gramplets: interactive views for moving, analysing, displaying, etc.

There are two plugin directories: a global/system one, and a private/personal one. You can easily create a plugin by simply putting a file in your personal plugin directory (usually in .gramps/grampsxx/plugins/gramplet/ ).

Hello World

In teaching programming, a common "first program" is to write a program that says "Hello World".

Let us jump right in and take a look at such a gramplet named HelloWorld.py:

Create a python file named HelloWorld.py and add the following content:

# File: HelloWorld.py
def init(gui):
    gui.set_text("Hello world!")

And create another python file named HelloWorld.gpr.py with the following content:

# File: HelloWorld.gpr.py
register(GRAMPLET,
         id="Hello World Gramplet", 
         name=_("Hello World Gramplet"),
         description = _("a program that says 'Hello World'"),
         status = STABLE,
         version="0.0.1",
         fname="HelloWorld.py",
         height = 20,
         gramplet = 'init',
         gramplet_title=_("Sample Gramplet"),
         gramps_target_version="5.1",
         help_url="Sample Gramplet"
         )

You can read more about the gpr.py file in Addons development and the source code implementation.

If you place these files in your personal user plugins directory (usually in .gramps/grampsxx/plugins/gramplet/ ), and then restart Gramps, you will be able to create this Gramplet. On the Dashboard Category View, right-click in an open area and select the "Hello World Gramplet". You should then see:

Hello World Gramplet - example (shown embedded on Dashboard Category View)


Explanation

The main work of a Gramplet is performed in a function, or a class. In this very simple example, a function init is defined that takes a single argument, gui. The function simply sets the gui's text area to be "Hello World!", and that's it. It does this just once, and never changes.

Before a plugin can be used, it needs to be "registered". You call the register function with a number of named-arguments. There are a number of named-arguments that you can provide, including: name, height, content, title, expand, state, and data. We will explore those in detail, below.

Hello World, with Class

Here is the same functionality again, but this time as a class:

# File: HelloWorld2.py
from gramps.gen.plug import Gramplet

class HelloWorldGramplet(Gramplet):
    def init(self):
        self.set_text("Hello world!")
# File: HelloWorld2.gpr.py
register(GRAMPLET,
         id="Hello World2 Gramplet", 
         name=_("Hello World2 Gramplet"),
         description = _("a program that says 'Hello World'"),
         version="0.0.1",
         gramps_target_version="5.1",
         status = STABLE,
         fname="HelloWorld2.py",
         height = 20, 
         gramplet = 'HelloWorldGramplet',
         gramplet_title=_("Sample Gramplet"),
         help_url="5.1_Addons#Addon_List"
         )

This is the recommended method of creating a Gramplet. The following details describe the properties and methods of this class.

Register Options

  • GRAMPLET: the first argument is the keyword GRAMPLET
  • id: the identifying name of the gramplet, unique among all plugins
  • name: the translated gramplet's name
  • height: the minimum (or maximum) height of the gramplet in normal mode
  • fname: the name of your gramplet file
  • gramplet: the name of the function or class in fname that creates the gramplet
  • gramplet_title: the default gramplet title; user changeable in Configure View
  • status: STABLE or UNSTABLE
  • version: a string with 2 dots (such as "1.23.14") representing the version number
  • gramps_target_version: a string with 2 dots representing the version of Gramps for which this gramplet was written. Only gramplets matching the installed version will be available for installation.
  • help_url: the title of the wiki page that describes the gramplet.
    If the help_url starts with http:// then that fully qualified URL will be used as is. Otherwise, the paths will be interpreted as relative to http://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php?title= base URL. The base URL will be prepended to the help_url and may get a language extension (such as /nl ) appended at the end, if the operating language is one of nl fr sq mk de fi ru sk. You should not use the _( ) translate function around the help_url string, unless you specifically intend to create web pages named with the translated string.

At the bare minimum, you need to have the above 10 options when registering your Gramplets.

In addition, you can use the following as well:

  • detached_width: the size in pixels of the minimum and default detached height
  • detached_height: the size in pixels of the minimum and default detached height
  • expand: whether or not the Gramplet should expand to fill the column, if it can
  • description: a description of the gramplet

Core Methods

The class-based gramplet utilizes the following methods:

  • init(): run once, on construction
  • main(): run once per update
  • update(): don't change this, it calls main
  • active_changed(): run when active-changed is triggered
  • db_changed(): run when db-changed is triggered
  • set_tooltip(TEXT) - tooltip for gramplet

Don't call main directly; use the update method.

In the db_changed method, you should connect all of the signals that will trigger an update. That typically looks like:

    def db_changed(self):
        self.dbstate.db.connect('person-add', self.update)
        self.dbstate.db.connect('person-delete', self.update)
        self.dbstate.db.connect('person-update', self.update)
        self.dbstate.db.connect('family-add', self.update)
        self.dbstate.db.connect('family-delete', self.update)
        self.dbstate.db.connect('family-update', self.update)

The method main() can be written as a normal Python method, or it can be written to run nicely in parallel with other Gramps code. To make it run nicely in parallel, you should issue a yield True every once in a while. For example:

    def main(self):
        for i in range(5000):
            if i % 500 == 0:
                yield True
        yield False

The True means that there is more to do; False means that there is nothing left to do.

Textual Output Methods

The most common kinds of Gramplets are text-based. There are a number of methods to assist with handling this text.

  • set_text(TEXT) - clear and set text to TEXT
  • append_text(TEXT, scroll_to=POSITION)
    • POSITION is 'begin' (top), 'end' (bottom) or 'start' (start of append)
  • clear_text() - clears all text
  • set_use_markup(BOOLEAN-VALUE)
  • render_text(TEXT) - for use with A, B, I, U, and TT tags
    • A for creating links; use tag HREF="url" for URLs, and WIKI="name" for pages on the wiki
    • B for bold
    • I for italics
    • U for underlined
    • TT for a fixed-width, typewriter font
  • link(TEXT, LINK-TYPE, DATA) -
    • TEXT can be any text
    • LINK-TYPE is:
      • 'Person' - and DATA is a person handle
      • 'PersonList' - and DATA is a list of handles
      • 'Family' - and DATA is a family handle
      • 'Surname' - and DATA is a person
      • 'Given' -
      • 'Filter' - and DATA is either:
        • 'all people' -
        • 'males' - all males
        • 'females' - all females
        • 'people with unknown gender' - people marked as unknown
        • 'people with incomplete names' - people who have a missing surname or given name
        • 'people with missing birth dates' - people who have missing birth dates
        • 'disconnected people' - people with no parents and no children
        • 'all families' - all families
        • 'unique surnames' - list of all unique surnames
        • 'people with media' - people who have media
        • 'media references' - all of the media
        • 'unique media' -
        • 'missing media' - media for which the file does not exist
        • 'media by size' -
        • 'list of people'-
      • 'URL' - and DATA is a URL
      • 'WIKI' - and DATA is a wiki page
      • 'Attribute' - and DATA is an attribute (eg, 'Nickname')
  • no_wrap() - turn word wrap off DEPRECATED
  • set_wrap(BOOL) - change word wrap

Using Tags

Tags are the manner in which you format the text.

   tag = self.gui.buffer.create_tag("fixed")
   tag.set_property("font", "Courier 8")
   ...
   start, end = self.gui.buffer.get_bounds()
   self.gui.buffer.apply_tag_by_name("fixed", start, end)
   self.append_text("", scroll_to="begin")

GUI Interface

Gramps-notes.png

This article's content is incomplete or a placeholder stub.
Please update or expand this section.


Widget Gramplet example

Occasionally, you might have to dive down to the graphical objects that compose a Gramplet.

  • gui
    • gui.buffer
    • gui.textview
    • gui.get_container_widget()

If you wanted to put an arbitrary gtk object into the main area of a Gramplet, then you need to replace the standard textview object with your own. Here is the basic structure:

# File: Widget.py
from gettext import gettext as _
from gramps.gen.plug import Gramplet
from gi.repository import Gtk

class WidgetGramplet(Gramplet):
    def init(self):
        self.gui.WIDGET = ### Some Widget Constructor ###
        self.gui.get_container_widget().remove(self.gui.textview)
        self.gui.get_container_widget().add_with_viewport(self.gui.WIDGET)
        self.gui.WIDGET.show()
# File: Widget.gpr.py

register(GRAMPLET,
         id= "Widget Gramplet",
         name=_("Widget Gramplet"),
         description = _("Widget Gramplet example"),
         height=100,
         expand=False,
         gramplet = 'WidgetGramplet',
         gramplet_title=_("Widget"),
         version = '0.0.1',
         gramps_target_version = "5.1",
         fname="Widget.py",
         )

Gramps 3.x and older

# File: Widget.py
from gettext import gettext as _
from gramps.gen.plug import Gramplet
import gtk

class WidgetGramplet(Gramplet):
    def init(self):
        self.gui.WIDGET = ### Some Widget Constructor ###
        self.gui.get_container_widget().remove(self.gui.textview)
        self.gui.get_container_widget().add_with_viewport(self.gui.WIDGET)
        self.gui.WIDGET.show()
# File: Widget.gpr.py
register(GRAMPLET, 
         id= "Widget Gramplet", 
         name=_("Widget Gramplet"), 
         height=100,
         expand=False,
         fname="Widget.py",
         gramplet = "WidgetGramplet",
         gramps_target_version = "3.4",
         gramplet_title=_("Widget"),
         )

Cairo Clock Example

Clock Gramplet - shown detached (Gramps 5.0.0)

In fact, with Python, GTK, and cairo, you can make your own widgets that do pretty much anything and look very nice.

Here is an example adding a Cairo Clock (which really keeps time)


GUI Options

  • add_option(OPTION)
    • OPTION is one of the menu options in gramps/gen/plug/menu eg:
      • NumberOption
      • EnumeratedListOption
      • StringOption
      • ColorOption
      • TextOption
      • BooleanOption
      • FilterOption
      • PersonOption
      • FamilyOption
      • NoteOption
      • MediaOption
      • PersonListOption
      • PlaceListOption
      • SurnameColorOption
      • DestinationOption
      • StyleOption
      • BooleanListOption
  • build_options()
  • save_options()
  • get_option_widget(TEXT)
  • get_option(TEXT)

Predefined Properties

There are a number of preset properties:

  • dbstate
    • dbstate.db
      • dbstate.db.connect(SIGNAL, METHOD)
      • dbstate.db.get_person_from_handle(HANDLE)
      • dbstate.get_active_person()
  • uistate

Persistance

  • gui
    • gui.data
  • on_load()
  • on_save()
  • save_text_to_data()
  • load_data_to_text()

Advanced Settings

  • force_update: set True to have the gramplet update, even when minimized

Learning More

To learn more about writing a Gramplet, it is suggested to look at the existing Gramplets. You can see a complete list of the Gramplet source code here:

Click on a filename, to view the source code of that Gramplet.