New library question

[retro]

I recently created a new library and I chose "Copy structure from current library". Then I moved a few books from my existing library to the new one and checked all the boxes to have missing columns added automatically.

Both libraries are in one instance of calibre, so I have been surpised by how many setting aren't being applied to the new library.
No plugboards, some plugins setting are different, yet others are the same and any changes affect both libraries.

It seems like something is popping up everytime I make a change to the new library. I wish now I had kept a list of what I had to track down. I bet there will be more.

Is there any documentation about which setting are not shared between libraries? Or is there anything that explains the best way to create a new library and keep existing settings?

[theducks]

There are 2 kinds of settings:
1) Per USER (those are in the configuration folder)
2) Per LIBRARY. Those usually apply because they relate to a Library Structure (your copy choice method took care of those )

[retro]

Originally Posted by theducks

There are 2 kinds of settings:
1) Per USER (those are in the configuration folder)
2) Per LIBRARY. Those usually apply because they relate to a Library Structure (your copy choice method took care of those )

Sure, but I am the same and only user of both libraries and there is only one configuration folder, so I would think the settings would apply to both libraries.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by theducks

There are 2 kinds of settings:
1) Per USER (those are in the configuration folder)
2) Per LIBRARY. Those usually apply because they relate to a Library Structure (your copy choice method took care of those )

But how do you know whether a particular setting is Per USER or Per LIBRARY.

Example: some Preferences->Behaviour settings are Per USER (stored in the configuration data folder files) others are Per LIBRARY (stored in the library metadata.db database file), there's nothing in the dialogue to give a hint nor is it documented (e.g. tri-state-bools setting is per Library, Use viewer for is per User)

When you create a library from another library, some per library settings are copied over, many are not copied -- e.g. Virtual libraries and Look & Feel->Column icons.

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@retro - have a look at the 'metadata_db_prefs_backup.json' in your library folders with a text editor that 'knows' what a json is. It will give you a clue as to which settings are per library and which have been copied and which haven't — viz:



The one on the left is from a 13 year old "Books" library, the one on the right is from "Books Too", a just created clone (all columns checked) of "Books".

BR

[retro]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@retro - have a look at the 'metadata_db_prefs_backup.json' in your library folders with a text editor that 'knows' what a json is. It will give you a clue as to which settings are per library and which have been copied and which haven't — viz:

Attachment 221570

The one on the left is from a 13 year old "Books" library, the one on the right is from "Books Too", a just created clone (all columns checked) of "Books".

BR

I wasn't aware of the metadata_db_prefs-backup.json. Thanks for the direction. Sounds like a good place to start!

[theducks]

Originally Posted by retro

I wasn't aware of the metadata_db_prefs-backup.json. Thanks for the direction. Sounds like a good place to start!

That JSON is what should be the same for both libraries since you used copied structure (don't change these files as they are only the backup for rebuilding the DB tables. if they are dif, then your choice failed in some way.)

Comfy's Calibre Config reports (a recent PI) documents all settings and tells where they are

[retro]

Originally Posted by theducks

Comfy's Calibre Config reports (a recent PI) documents all settings and tells where they are

Actually, Calibre Config reports doesn't cover some of the settings I've looked for. It does not show configs for plugins or plugboards.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by theducks

Comfy's Calibre Config reports (a recent PI) documents all settings and tells where they are

Except it doesn't, it identifies a subset of what is in the Configuration files, and none of what is the library databases. AFAIK it's still very much a Work in Progress. I have suggested to Comfy.n that he signpost that in the PI.

The mapping between the UI dialogues and the settings files is hard coded, and that code is not error free… have a look at settings.py:

Moving that to a csv has been discussed, a start was made, see the settings_ui_mapping.csv that's in the PI zip. That would separate the data from the code, but it still has to be maintained within the CCR plugin.

Any addition, change, deletion from the Preferences panels will probably require a new version of the CCR plugin… e.g. there are 12 settings that relate to bookshelf view in gui.json, they don't get a mention in CCR Settings.

And then there's the issue of plugins… new ones, changes to existing ones, etc.

It's nice idea, but I question it's viability given the manner in which the settings data is structured.

BR