Quick question on adding JavaScript to layers/styles

[qvb]

Hi guys,

  I'm new to DW, moving from LJ. I would like to make some enhancements/tweaks to the system, to add some of the LJ features/tweaks.

I just started learning S2 and style system in DW, and I have a quick question - what is the best mechanism for adding some custom JavaScript to the DW pages?
I'm looking into options of using JavaScript to implement Repost feature, also maybe rework some of the pages to make them more modern and interactive.

Would appreciate any suggestions and info pointers.

Comments

[momijizukamori]

You'll have to do it in a custom layout layer, I believe - I know for sure Javascript gets stripped out in wizard and theme layers as a security measure, but it may be allowed in layout layers? I don't really do much with Javascript so I may be wrong on that last point.

[qvb]

Thanks momijizukamori.

Is it possible to create my own custom layout layer via DW WEB UI, or does it require adding that code to DW itself?

[momijizukamori]

You can do it here: http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/advanced/layers down at the bottom of the page.

[qvb]

Thanks momijizukamori.

Do you know by any chance any examples of creating a layer that will emit custom HTML and/or JavaScript?

[foxfirefey]

I'm pretty sure JS gets stripped out of anything that isn't a core layer or a layout layer that's been blessed by the system, for security reasons, though the HTML can be changed entirely.

[qvb]

Thanks foxfirefey.

Are there any other ways to add JS to the page emitted by DW?

I would like to add some features (repost etc), and it is easy to do it in JS.

[foxfirefey]

If it's adding features for yourself, then the easiest thing to do is to make a browser addon using Greasemonkey or whatnot, I think.

[qvb]

Yes, browser add-on is a possibility, but it is not a clean option. Ideally would be to be able to improve the platform.

If going down code-on-the-client path, it is also possible to implement rich client with desired features (starting from Semagic or from scratch, using Cordova or something), but it is pretty heavy-weight option.

I started looking into DW API, and it is pretty old. LJ guys implemented JSON support, but unfortunately it is not ported to DW (I guess it is non-open source).

[casimirian]

JSON is supported in other open source projects. I suggest looking into how you could contribute the feature on DW yourself.

[qvb]

Yep, this is the reason I would prefer to implement Repost and few other features in a way other DW users can use it rather than via browser add-in.

Is there an active project focused on adding JSON support to DW? I might be able to help.

[casimirian]

I don't know. I recommend saying hello on Freenode. Get signed up as a developer. Get a key to a hackspace. And then just start playing with the source.

[momijizukamori]

I believe allen has been working on an API rewrite, but I haven't checked in with him in a while to see where that's at. It's on my list of things I'd like to help get done, too, once I get finished with my current over-ambitious project.

You could make a post in dw_dev introducing yourself and asking about it, if you're interested in helping!

[ninetydegrees]

And here are the basics steps for getting started in development: http://wiki.dreamwidth.net/wiki/index.php/Dev_Getting_Started I think it'll give you an idea of how it works and let you see if you want to get involved, as well as some stuff to look at maybe. :)

https://dw-suggestions.dreamwidth.org might also tell you what features the community would like (and which ones have been rejected) that are also ones you want to develop.