Update custom column value

[d4em]

I have this code:

book_ids = self.gui.library_view.get_selected_ids()
        db = self.gui.current_db.new_api

        for book_id in book_ids:
            book = db.format_abspath(book_id, "txt") # This method breaks thread-safe promise of API, fix later
            metadata = db.get_metadata(book_id)

I need to edit one of the columns for these books. I tried the add_custom_book_data(name, val_map, delete_first=False) method in the db class, but I do not know what datatype it wants when it asks for a val_map.

How do I change the value of a column?

[chaley]

Use

set_field(self, name, book_id_to_val_map, allow_case_change=True, do_path_update=True)
        '''
        Set the values of the field specified by ``name``. Returns the set of all book ids that were affected by the change.

        :param book_id_to_val_map: Mapping of book_ids to values that should be applied.
        :param allow_case_change: If True, the case of many-one or many-many fields will be changed.
            For example, if a  book has the tag ``tag1`` and you set the tag for another book to ``Tag1``
            then the both books will have the tag ``Tag1`` if allow_case_change is True, otherwise they will
            both have the tag ``tag1``.
        :param do_path_update: Used internally, you should never change it.
        '''

in cache.py (new_api)

[d4em]

I got it to work, thanks!
Turns out the val_map is just a dictionary with book ids as key

[chaley]

BTW: add_custom_book_data() does not update custom columns. Instead it updates a look-aside table that plugins can use to store information about books.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by chaley

BTW: add_custom_book_data() does not update custom columns. Instead it updates a look-aside table that plugins can use to store information about books.

How do you update custom columns then? (name is tricky)

[chaley]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

How do you update custom columns then? (name is tricky)

"Custom book data" isn't custom columns. It is a persistent map of keys to values, intended for plugins to store extra book information pertinent to that plugin. For example, a plugin might want to store some extra dates about a book that the plugin will need later. It can use add_custom_book_data() to store this information.

If you want to update custom columns then use db.new_api.set_field().

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by chaley

"Custom book data" isn't custom columns. It is a persustent map of keys to values, intended for plugins to store extra book information pertinent to that plugin. For example, a plugin might want to store some extra dates about a book that the plugin will need later. It can use add_custom_book_data() to store this information.

If you want to update custom columns then use db.new_api.set_field().

Yes, thank you. I've seen it later. I'm using that function in one of my plugins (obviously wrong and I was mislead). After using set_field it's working.