where to intercept and tweak data shown in table (i.e. combine several fields into one, etc)

ironandsteel

I'm using datatables and editor and I've generated a starting point for my app using the Generator tool. It works fine.

My database has a contact1 and contact2 field. In the table, I want to write a bit of code that combines the contact1 and contact2 fields into a single field (one per line) and display that in the table. I may want to do other manipulations of what is shown- putting things in spans for formatting, etc. When I edit the record, I want to edit contact1 and contact2 in their own fields.

In my example, the table is "cont" (for contractor).

In js/table.cont.js, I see where I can set up whatever database fields I want to appear in the edit form. And I see where I can set up what fields appear in the table. Where can I intercept the record coming from the db, combine a couple of fields and pass along to maybe a new field name?

Thanks for a great tool, and for any info you can send my way.

    var editor = new $.fn.dataTable.Editor( {
        ajax: 'php/table.cont.php',
        table: '#cont',
        fields: [
            {
                "label": "name:",
                "name": "name"
            },
            {
                "label": "addr:",
                "name": "addr"
            },
            {
                "label": "city:",
                "name": "city"
            },
            {
                "label": "state:",
                "name": "state"
            },
            {
                "label": "zip:",
                "name": "zip"
            },
            {
                "label": "contact1:",
                "name": "contact1"
            },
            {
                "label": "csi1_contact1:",
                "name": "csi1_contact1"
            },          
            

            {
                "label": "contact2:",
                "name": "contact2"
            },
            {
                "label": "phone:",
                "name": "phone"
            },
            {
                "label": "email1:",
                "name": "email1"
            }
        ]
    } );

    var table = $('#cont').DataTable( {
        dom: 'Bfrtip',
        ajax: 'php/table.cont.php',
        "paging": false,
        columns: [
            {
                "data": "name"
            },
            {
                "data": "addr"
            },
            {
                "data": "city"
            },
            {
                "data": "state"
            },
            {
                "data": "zip"
            },
            {
                "data": "contact1"
            },
            {
                "data": "contact2"
            },
            {
                "data": "phone"
            },
            {
                "data": "email1"
            }
        ],
        select: true,
        lengthChange: false,
        buttons: [
            { extend: 'create', editor: editor },
            { extend: 'edit',   editor: editor },
            { extend: 'remove', editor: editor }
        ]
    } );
} );

allan

When I edit the record, I want to edit contact1 and contact2 in their own fields.

This is key. If you want to simply combine them in the table view, use a renderer.

I use one for exactly this purpose in this example to combine the first and last name in the table, but keep them individually editable.

Allan