7 May
2017
7 May
'17
2:12 p.m.
Hi Thomas and all,
On 6 May 2017, at 18:39, Thomas Mortagne
<thomas.mortagne(a)xwiki.com> wrote:
IMO we should keep XAR format for applications and use a different
format for backups.
Let me explain why I think it would be better to use the XAR format for this:
* It’s simpler to have 1 format than several for our users. It’s also confusing to have 2
formats that similar things (e.g. being able to backup/restore pages with both
formats).We’re already going to introduce a new XIP format too. A third one would increase
the complexity.
* The XAR name is not limited to saving wiki pages. It actually means “XWiki Archive”
which is perfect for representing the backup of a full XWiki instance.
* Users already know the XAR format (it’s documented) for backup/restore. Introducing a
new format would cause major confusions.
* Adding new data to the XAR format doesn't make it incompatible with previous
versions.
* We can reuse the same UI and make modifications to it. Like for example a checkbox to
save the permanent directory data in the XAR (we should compute and display the size as a
hint in the UI). In addition I believe we should also support saving the generated XAR
locally on the server if the user wishes to since that XAR could get very large (several
GB potentially with large attachments).
* We’re talking about the XAR format here. In term of implementation we can definitely use
the Filter module (and we should - I thought it was already the case).
What do others think?
Thanks
-Vincent
We actually already have this new backup format I
think: the XML
format you can find in Filter module. It currently support both wiki
pages and extensions. Also this format/module is extensible enough for
any extension to add its own data without touching it (it does not
know anything about wiki pages or extensions for example). What is
missing is probably a dedicated backup oriented UI which would be
based on this format instead of XAR format.
On Sat, May 6, 2017 at 12:11 PM, Vincent Massol <vincent(a)massol.net> wrote:
Fixed the message’s subject…
Thanks
-Vincent
--
Thomas Mortagne On 6 May 2017, at 12:10, Vincent Massol
<vincent(a)massol.net> wrote:
Hi,
Feedback from user (see http://www.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main/DownloadFormFeedback):
“
Hello! There is very lack simple data backup. The lack of a simple backup of all data
(via the web interface) greatly limits the use of Xwiki. Such a backup is available at
Confluence.
Another disadvantage is a complicated backup and a complicated installation.
“
I think that a first step to answer this would be to develop a new XAR format version
(v1.4 for example, see
http://extensions.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Extension/XAR%20Module%20Specifi…) that
adds support for saving/restoring the permanent directory.
WDYT?
Thanks
-Vincent