[DEV] change arbritary values in an .xml file?

[johnsonx42]

McBainUK:

In the SkinPluginConfig.xml, I know how to use the <xmltextsizeedit> function tp increase or decrease a numerical value in an XML file - as used originally for the Text Size, which I also hijacked for the 'TV Guide Rows' selection method.

Such as:

Code:

<xmltextsizeedit>
          <name>skin.xml</name>
          <target>%SKINROOT%\TV Guide\skin.xml</target>
          <node>/settings/TextStyles/TextStyle[@name='ListingStyle']/@size</node>
          <default>11</default>
        </xmltextsizeedit>

This function takes a starting value and then modifies it by +1, -1, etc. which come from the corresponding folder names under the Resources folder. (I know you know all that, you wrote the code, I just want to make sure we're on the same page)

What I want to do now is change certain values in an .xml file, but use absolute values rather than relative numeric values. For example, I want to be able to set a certain value in an XML file to True or False.

Now as I've been typing this, I had a look at the file 'EditableSkinItemsList.cs'. I see there is a function called <xmledit> which probably does what I want, but I see no example of it's use in SkinPluginConfig.xml. Can you confirm this function is in fact what I want, and give me a usage example?

What I ultimately wish to do is to write a replacement for the existing Settings screen in PVRX2. Sub said he is getting rid of this screen in 1.5, as he's decided he's never going to get around to implementing it the way he planned. There are a variety of user-interface related settings that would be useful to change from the Skin Plugin rather than have to go in to config.exe or hand edit in config.xml.

[mvallevand]

What I ultimately wish to do is to write a replacement for the existing Settings screen in PVRX2. Sub said he is getting rid of this screen in 1.5, as he's decided he's never going to get around to implementing it the way he planned. There are a variety of user-interface related settings that would be useful to change from the Skin Plugin rather than have to go in to config.exe or hand edit in config.xml.

Please make sure if you do this, that you are Vista aware, PVRx2 doesn't by default have permissions to edit config.xml but it can write the Virtual copy that messes a lot of people up.

Martin

[johnsonx42]

Please make sure if you do this, that you are Vista aware, PVRx2 doesn't by default have permissions to edit config.xml but it can write the Virtual copy that messes a lot of people up.

Interesting... I was operating under the assumption that since the CS4 Skin Plugin is able to write to various XML files under the GBPVR/Skin2 directory, that it would also be able to write to config.xml without issue. Those who know more about how the Skin Plugin works will have to comment.

[Fatman_do]

There are no changes to the config.xml file with the skin plugin, only the installer.

[johnsonx42]

There are no changes to the config.xml file with the skin plugin, only the installer.

Yes, I know it doesn't currently do this. The question is whether it can be made to do it.

[McBainUK]

What I ultimately wish to do is to write a replacement for the existing Settings screen in PVRX2.

How strange, I was thinking this very morning about this very idea. But shelved it due to time available nowadays etc etc.

There are a variety of user-interface related settings that would be useful to change from the Skin Plugin rather than have to go in to config.exe or hand edit in config.xml.

I think it would be better to create a separate plugin to change settings, for a few reasons:

1. The SkinPlugin is CS4 only, it only shows a "please run CS4 skin" on blue, slick etc
   
2. In future I can see non-ui related settings being added, for example the quite useful codec selection options. These wouldn't make sense in a 'SkinPlugin'.
   
3. And finally, I don't want to support another plugin or more features within an existing plugin.
   

[johnsonx42]

I think it would be better to create a separate plugin to change settings, for a few reasons:

The SkinPlugin is CS4 only, it only shows a "please run CS4 skin" on blue, slick etc

I guess I figured that would be just another reason to run CS4... handy-dandy Settings in the skin plugin.

In future I can see non-ui related settings being added, for example the quite useful codec selection options. These wouldn't make sense in a 'SkinPlugin'.

True that. It also occurred to me that any settings written into SkinPluginConfig also get saved with a theme, and therefore reset when another theme is loaded. Probably bad, definitely illogical.

And finally, I don't want to support another plugin or more features within an existing plugin.

Yep, conflict of purpose... the idea sounded good at first, but you're right it's not really a good fit within the skin plugin.

If I come up with a couple of config.xml settings I really want to be able to change on the fly myself I may hack them into my own local copy on the HTPC... but it won't be for public consumption.

[mvallevand]

There are no changes to the config.xml file with the skin plugin, only the installer.

I was trying to find one of my posts that identified the config.xml problem and I missed this reply. If the CS4 plugin calls the installer to makes changes to a file in the GBPVR folder on-the-fly then it still is a potential problem.

Martin

[Fatman_do]

The installer is not called, a separate application is run. May not change your concern however, as I do not know how the helper .exe functions with UAC permissions, ect.

[mvallevand]

The installer is not called, a separate application is run. May not change your concern however, as I do not know how the helper .exe functions with UAC permissions, ect.

Any app, if it isn't run elevated (which requires a UAC prompt) would create a config.xml in the virtual store.

Martin