read+write access to registered data converters

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Josef Templ
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read+write access to registered data converters

Post by Josef Templ »

In issue-#122 viewtopic.php?f=50&t=491
we have made it possible to access the list of installed file converters (Converters.Register) read+write.

I noticed that the same problem also exists with the registered data converters (for clipboard,
see OleData.Register() in Config).
It would be required to provide read+write access also to that list, i.e. to export
the list and next field with *.

- Josef
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Josef Templ
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Re: read+write access to registered data converters

Post by Josef Templ »

A while ago I have opened this topic but did not receive any comments.
So I would like to ask you again to look into this.

As far as I see it is a trivial add on to issue-#122 from release 1.7
where this aspect has been overlooked.

- Josef
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DGDanforth
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Re: read+write access to registered data converters

Post by DGDanforth »

Josef Templ wrote:A while ago I have opened this topic but did not receive any comments.
So I would like to ask you again to look into this.

As far as I see it is a trivial add on to issue-#122 from release 1.7
where this aspect has been overlooked.

- Josef
Good point.
I just never (directly) use Ole so did not comment.
-Doug
Zinn
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Re: read+write access to registered data converters

Post by Zinn »

Josef,
I'm against the write access. It contradict the module concept and the encapsulation.
For example the rider in TextMappers.Formatter has no write access.
I would like to change converter access back to read-only for security reason.
- Helmut
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DGDanforth
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Re: read+write access to registered data converters

Post by DGDanforth »

Zinn wrote:Josef,
I'm against the write access. It contradict the module concept and the encapsulation.
For example the rider in TextMappers.Formatter has no write access.
I would like to change converter access back to read-only for security reason.
- Helmut
Helmut,
I am against changing back because now I can install converters without having to recompile Config.
That is much better. It simplifies my "Builder" program that I use to generate .exe files.
Each module that needs a converter to handle its special file extensions can do so without Config
modifications

-Doug
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Robert
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Re: read+write access to registered data converters

Post by Robert »

Zinn wrote:I would like to change converter access back to read-only for security reason.
- Helmut
Can you explain what the security problem is?

Regarding data converters: has anyone asked for this change?
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Josef Templ
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Re: read+write access to registered data converters

Post by Josef Templ »

Robert wrote: Regarding data converters: has anyone asked for this change?
I am asking for this change.
I came across this issue not because of a theoretical analysis but
because there was the need to reset the list of installed data converters.
When looking into the details it turned out that it is a similar problem as issue-#122.

- Josef
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Robert
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Re: read+write access to registered data converters

Post by Robert »

I guess the simplest thing is to open a new issue.
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Josef Templ
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Re: read+write access to registered data converters

Post by Josef Templ »

Zinn wrote:Josef,
I'm against the write access. It contradict the module concept and the encapsulation.
- Helmut
I agree that adding write access is not particularly nice.
May be there is a better solution, at least for registered data converters.

Firstly, let me explain the problem I had:
I was unloading a module that called OleData.Register in its body.
When that module was loaded again it called OleData.Register again
and then there were duplicates in the list of converters.
It was not possible to get rid of the duplicates.

Actually for my problem it would suffice not to append a new entry but to overwrite
the existing entry if it is the same converter.

But wait. When I now try to reproduce this behavior, I no longer get duplicates
(in the converters list shown in Edit->Paste Special...).
This is strange. Maybe it depends on the Windows version/Service pack being used.
Anyway, if there are no duplicates, there is actually no problem for me any longer.

- Josef
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