Editing in CMI

CMI lets you add and modify items (compositions, scores, concerts, people, etc.) using a web interface. To access these functions:

Access control

All users can create items. A user can edit items they created.

Certain users have 'editor' privileges. Such users can edit any item. To request editor privileges, contact CMI admins.

Item codes

Many CMI items link to items of other types. For example, Concert links to Composition. When the second table is small (a few hundred items or less) the editing interface uses a popup menu.

This isn't practical if the second table is large - e.g. Composition or Person. So instead we use a mechanism called 'item codes'. Say, for example, you're editing a Concert and you want to add a Composition to the program.

An item's code is its database ID, prepended with a string indicating its type ('com_' in this case). This prevents you from accidentally using the wrong code.

In some cases (as in the above example) you can specify multiple items. List their item codes, separated by spaces.

Example: adding a composition

Let's say you've written a piece for, say, flute and piano, and you want to add it do CMI.

This might seem like a lot of steps. Why not just have you type in 'Violin and piano'?

Doing things this way - having you select from existing tables instead of typing things - has big benefits. It keeps the data clean - no spelling errors or variant spellings. And it puts the information into a form that lets CMI handle queries like 'show me pieces for piano, at least one bassoon, and maybe other instruments'.

Example: adding a concert

Suppose you want to add an upcoming concert.



©2024 David P. Anderson