Hi Thomas and all,

> On 6 May 2017, at 18:39, Thomas Mortagne <thomas.morta...@xwiki.com> wrote:
> 
> IMO we should keep XAR format for applications and use a different
> format for backups.

Let me explain why I think it would be better to use the XAR format for this:

* It’s simpler to have 1 format than several for our users. It’s also confusing 
to have 2 formats that similar things (e.g. being able to backup/restore pages 
with both formats).We’re already going to introduce a new XIP format too. A 
third one would increase the complexity.

* The XAR name is not limited to saving wiki pages. It actually means “XWiki 
Archive” which is perfect for representing the backup of a full XWiki instance.

* Users already know the XAR format (it’s documented) for backup/restore. 
Introducing a new format would cause major confusions.

* Adding new data to the XAR format doesn't make it incompatible with previous 
versions.

* We can reuse the same UI and make modifications to it. Like for example a 
checkbox to save the permanent directory data in the XAR (we should compute and 
display the size as a hint in the UI). In addition I believe we should also 
support saving the generated XAR locally on the server if the user wishes to 
since that XAR could get very large (several GB potentially with large 
attachments).

* We’re talking about the XAR format here. In term of implementation we can 
definitely use the Filter module (and we should - I thought it was already the 
case).

What do others think?

Thanks
-Vincent

> We actually already have this new backup format I think: the XML
> format you can find in Filter module. It currently support both wiki
> pages and extensions. Also this format/module is extensible enough for
> any extension to add its own data without touching it (it does not
> know anything about wiki pages or extensions for example). What is
> missing is probably a dedicated backup oriented UI which would be
> based on this format instead of XAR format.
> 
> On Sat, May 6, 2017 at 12:11 PM, Vincent Massol <vinc...@massol.net> wrote:
>> Fixed the message’s subject…
>> Thanks
>> -Vincent
>> 
>>> On 6 May 2017, at 12:10, Vincent Massol <vinc...@massol.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi,
>>> 
>>> Feedback from user (see 
>>> http://www.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main/DownloadFormFeedback):
>>> 
>>> “
>>> Hello! There is very lack simple data backup. The lack of a simple backup 
>>> of all data (via the web interface) greatly limits the use of Xwiki. Such a 
>>> backup is available at Confluence.
>>> Another disadvantage is a complicated backup and a complicated installation.
>>> “
>>> 
>>> I think that a first step to answer this would be to develop a new XAR 
>>> format version (v1.4 for example, see 
>>> http://extensions.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Extension/XAR%20Module%20Specifications)
>>>  that adds support for saving/restoring the permanent directory.
>>> 
>>> WDYT?
>>> 
>>> Thanks
>>> -Vincent
>>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Thomas Mortagne

Reply via email to