ownloads Documentation Centre!Batch processing
Introduction
The Batch processing option was originally just used for moving or copying Categories and Downloads. Batch Processing is only available in the backend.
As illustrated opposite it has expanded to do several other useful items like Changing the Language code, Setting Access levels, and adding Tags to multiple Categories and Downloads.
As illustrated opposite it has expanded to do several other useful items like Changing the Language code, Setting Access levels, and adding Tags to multiple Categories and Downloads.
These additional changes may be used individually or combined with each other or in conjunction with a move or copy.
Also note that there are three options when copying. This allows making duplicates of a Download in multiple categories.
Also note that there are three options when copying. This allows making duplicates of a Download in multiple categories.
Unlocking
In order to be safe when moving or copying then ALL other Downloads or Categories, as appropriate, are LOCKED during the process. This is because many of the 'moves' or 'copying' relate to database changes. Having other changes made to the database at the same time would lead to database corruption.
To UNLOCK if the batch processing should fail for an unknown reason then go to the
section on the jDownloads Control Panel and select the 
operation.
To UNLOCK if the batch processing should fail for an unknown reason then go to the
section on the jDownloads Control Panel and select the operation.Changing the Access Level
Unlike permissions, Access levels do not 'cascade', they are set individually for each category and for each Download.
By default jDownloads sets the Access level, that is what the frontend user can see, to Public. That is any user is able to 'see' them whether they are logged in or not.
The 'Set Access Level' is very useful for example when changing a site so that Registered user have different permissions to the Public.
By default jDownloads sets the Access level, that is what the frontend user can see, to Public. That is any user is able to 'see' them whether they are logged in or not.
The 'Set Access Level' is very useful for example when changing a site so that Registered user have different permissions to the Public.
Adding Tags
This is quite simple just select an existing tag in the pulldown that you wish to add and then click on the
button.The default setting is Keep original Tags.
Changing the Language
This batch facility is very useful if you have a multilingual site.
It is particularly useful when converting a non-multilingual site to a multilingual site
The default setting for 'Set Language' is to keep the original language.
It is particularly useful when converting a non-multilingual site to a multilingual site
The default setting for 'Set Language' is to keep the original language.
Selecting the Categories or Downloads
The Selection process for either Categories or Downloads is essentially the same.
First you just need to tick the selection box of the required items.
For Categories it is best to just select the 'head' of a set of Categories or Subcategories.
Then click on the
button in the header.
If you select the box at the top (next to status) then all items on the current page will be selected. This is probablely more useful for the Downloads.
Beware that it will select only those that you are currently viewing, it does not select those that may be on another page.
First you just need to tick the selection box of the required items.
For Categories it is best to just select the 'head' of a set of Categories or Subcategories.
Then click on the
button in the header.If you select the box at the top (next to status) then all items on the current page will be selected. This is probablely more useful for the Downloads.
Beware that it will select only those that you are currently viewing, it does not select those that may be on another page.
Moving Categories or Downloads
Moving Categories
When you MOVE a category to another position, then the corresponding folder, all it subfolders and all the Downloads and the files are moved to the new position on the server.
The 'moved' categories will retain their position relative to each other.
Note that if you wish to move the selection such that the most 'senior' category is to become a top level category then select 'Add to root' as the destination.
The 'moved' categories will retain their position relative to each other.
Note that if you wish to move the selection such that the most 'senior' category is to become a top level category then select 'Add to root' as the destination.
For example if we select to just move subcategory 'Noddle Downloads' as shown in image 1 into another Category called 'AM-cat' as illustrated in the setup 2 below, then the result is shown in image 3 where the subcategory and its two sub-subcategories have been moved.
When moving categories the associated downloadable files are also moved. So it is recommended that moderation is used in the number you select.
Moving Downloads
Whilst moving Downloads is essentially a database operation, the downloadable files are also physically moved to the relevant folder. This may take some time if the files are large or you select a large number Downloads. So moderation is recommended, doing a large move in a re-organisation is best done in modest steps.
This example selects moving the Downloads in category 'Public Downloads' as shown in image 1 into another Category called 'April 2017' Using the original as illustrated in the setup 2 below.
The result is shown in image 3 where the Downloads have been moved.
Copying Categories or Downloads
Copying Categories
When you COPY a category only the folder is duplicated; the Downloads are not duplicated.
Copying Downloads
There are three Copy options:
- Copy without assigned file - this then makes them a simple Downloads without a file, indicated by
in the listing. - Copy with assigned file - this results in a standard Download with a downloadable file, indicated by
in the listing. - Copy with reference file - the copied Download does not have its own downloadable file but refers to the one in the original Download, indicated by
in the listing.
This example illustrates 'Copy without assigned File' of two Downloads in category 'Public Downloads' as shown in image 1 into another Category called 'AM-cat' as illustrated in the setup 2 below.
The result is shown in image 3 where the Downloads have been copied.
The result is shown in image 3 where the Downloads have been copied.
Note that in this example the copied Downloads are now just simple Downloads without a downloadable file, they are shown with a symbol in the backend listing of Downloads.
The other two copy modes are carried out in the same way but result in either their own downloadable file,, or a referenced downloadable file, .
Clearly if a Download being copied is itself a simple Download then the resultant copy will also be a simple Download.
symbol in the backend listing of Downloads.The other two copy modes are carried out in the same way but result in either their own downloadable file,
, or a referenced downloadable file, .Clearly if a Download being copied is itself a simple Download then the resultant copy will also be a simple Download.
Colin M June 2020
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