Grouper Developers Forum

["Michael R. Gettes" <>]

The list here: https://wiki.internet2.edu/confluence/x/NBk

 B2 	 Support for namespace transition 	 The hierarchy of naming  
stems in a deployment will change over time. Although the XML Import/ 
Export tool supports prune & graft, for large changes that could take  
a while, be disruptive. Ability to logically "move" or "copy" a group  
or a selection of groups from one naming stem to another would be  
superior.

I don't believe the above item is something that warrants API level  
work.  I think some
documentation regarding "HOW-TO" achieve this functionality thru  
export/import is the
way to go at this point.  It is not the "easiest" path - but, as we  
have discussed and
I believe agreed on the signet side this is the path to solve this  
level problem.  I
also note that if we can provide other interfaces such as web  
services (noted by A2 below)
people may create their own high-level mechanisms to achieve this  
functionality.  If
someone wants to write php/perl/python whatever to manipulate the XML  
that would be good.
The "HOW-TO" boils down to
        export relevant stems
        then run a script to rename groups from one stem
                to another (especially for bulk operation)
        re-import (which creates the new stems)
        point applications (over time) to use the new stems and maintain
                the group data in both stems
        then delete the old if a move is desired when the apps have changed

 A2 	 Web services interfaces for query, management 	 Likewise  
declared out of scope a while back, this is probably the second most  
requested capability missing from the toolkit. What subset of the API  
ought to be exposed through each of what set of endpoints expressed  
in which web services idiom, and how should requests to & responses  
from those endpoints be structured?

This work is important especially if we want to consider alternate UI  
environments.
It was mentioned on the call today that some work has been done by  
various folks
to expose these abilities but the work is incomplete.  It would be  
very helpful
if people doing work in these areas could share their work, even if  
incomplete,
so that others might benefit and contribute.

/mrg