Run plugin before import

[dremo]

Is it possible for a plugin to run before the import is done? From tinkering around with a plugin it seems that the file is imported into the database and then the plugin runs.

I'd like to do some processing of a file before it is imported into Calibre. I would then like to have this processed file imported rather than the original file.

Other random question, is there a variable that stores the install path to calibre?


Thanks.

[kovidgoyal]

on_import = True causes the plugin to run just before the file is added to the database, but not before metadata is read from the file. If you want to change metadata reading, create a metadatareader plugin.

Getting the path to the calibre install directory is platform and installation method dependent. Here is some code to find the path to the plugins subdirectory ina calibre install

            if iswindows:
                plugin_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(sys.executable), 'plugins')
                sys.path.insert(1, os.path.dirname(sys.executable))
            elif isosx:
                plugin_path = os.path.join(getattr(sys, 'frameworks_dir'), 'plugins')
            elif islinux:
                plugin_path = os.path.join(getattr(sys, 'frozen_path'), 'plugins')

Note that you shouldn't need to know the path to the calibre install directory in your plugins.

[dremo]

Thanks for the quick reply. The metadata I'm reading must be messed up. I never thought of trying a different file.



Drew

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Getting the path to the calibre install directory is platform and installation method dependent. Here is some code to find the path to the plugins subdirectory ina calibre install

Sounds like a function that should be in calibre so it would be callable from a plugin.

BOb

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Sounds like a function that should be in calibre so it would be callable from a plugin.

BOb

The problem is that the concept of "installation directory" is not well defined for a python program. Indeed, only the windows version could be said to have an "installation directory". Also plugins really shouldn't need to know where calibre is installed.

[dremo]

Thanks for the help. I found my reason why the modifited file wasn't getting imported. I never updated the return statement to reflect the path of the updated file. Now it all seems to work, except the book name metadata isn't getting read correctly. All other fields seem correct except the book name.


Drew

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

The problem is that the concept of "installation directory" is not well defined for a python program.

Gotcha ya. I guess I was thinking "startup" directory.

BOb