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Getting Started with The Pack Builder
The pack builder aims to make the process of building coda`s packs a little bit simpler and none-coders friendly, by giving the user to define the building blocks needed in order to create some great packs
Concepts of pack building
What is a Pack?
A Pack is an extension that adds new powers to your doc.
What other platforms call plugins, add-ons, or extensions, in Coda called "Packs". A Pack extends the core building blocks of Coda, allowing users to build more powerful and integrated docs. Anyone can build a Pack, and they can use it in their own docs, share it with their team, or publish it to the world.
Different kind of packs ?
A Coda pack could be one of 4 types :
What are the building blocks?
A pack is built as a Lego, it has has building blocks, each block have a different structure and target, and if assembled correctly, the result could become as beautiful and productive as far as your imagination.
Block types
Import
import statement is used to import code parts to be used in the pack
Export
export statement is used to export the pack you are making to be used by coda
Formula
Formulas are one of the most basic building blocks in Coda; used to calculate values, filter tables, and so much more
Function - execute
The execute function is linked to a formula
Function - external
The external function is not linked to a specific formula, sometimes refers as helper function
Parameter
The primary mechanism for passing data from the user or document into your Pack is via parameters. You define the parameters in your code and the user fills them with values when they use your Pack.
Authentication
One of the key use cases for Packs is integrating Coda with other apps and services, which often involves some form of authentication. When building a Pack you specify the type of authentication required by the API and Coda handles the credentials exchange, token storage, and account management.
ColumnFormat
A column format is a custom column type that you can apply to any column in any Coda table. It changes how the values within that column are interpreted and displayed, while still allowing users to quickly edit the underlying value.
Example
Coda automatically generates user documentation for your formulas based on the names and descriptions you assign
Parameters types?
The primary mechanism for passing data from the user or document into your Pack is via parameters. You define the parameters in your code and the user fills them with values when they use your Pack. The same parameter mechanism is used by formulas, actions, and sync tables. each parameter could also be define as Array (an ordered series or parameters ) and sparse Array (A sparse array is an array of data in which many elements have a value of zero)
Parameters types
String
Use the String parameter to pass a plain text value
Number
Use the Number parameter type to pass a number
Boolean
Use the Boolean parameter type to pass a boolean (true/false)
Date
Use the Date parameter type to pass a date value to your formula
Html
Use the Html parameter type to pass text values with formatting included. Coda will convert the formatting to an equivalent block of HTML markup, and pass it to the execute function as a JavaScript String.
Image
Use the Image parameter type to pass an image
File
File type for files
How to use the pack builder
Step A: The Pack builder process
The simple way is to go directly to the here and follow the steps, but before i will share the process itself with a little demo, a little bit of programming is needed, depends on the complexity of the Pack.
Step B: Continue to the pack editor
About the author
Roy Portnoy, B.Sc. in Information Systems Management from Israel,
loves to create smart solutions and Coda provides me a great solutions for stand alone or prototypes. this project was create as part the Coda`s Doctorate program, with Maria Marquis in mind, so she could finally create her first Pack :)
Need some help with functionality
The project does not pretend it is perfect, it is only helps to create the bone structure of a pack, sometimes, it just won`t be enough, so more professional help needed. In the future I hope to create a database of programmers as service provider which could help for a fee, as of right now I will suggest to contact me (at ) or share the bone structure on the coda form for some great community help (at )
Support this project
It is unorthodox on the Coda community to add such option, and because of this reason, I would like to add it here. Making a document that is helpful and usable is not easy or fast, so if you found it helpful inspiring or simply something you wish to grow better and deeply, please consider by me a coffee at
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