option to collapse/expand namespaces

[jonschlinkert]

To make debug statements more readable, we should consider "collapsing" the namespaces by default, like:

# expanded
base:templates:assemble:generate:verb:helpers

# collapsed
base...verb:helpers

then we can add support for an option to "expand" the namespace

[tunnckoCore]

Hmm.. yea, that is very good idea! I also noticed that in examples, that this too long namespaces are ugly.

Maybe there is a question: On how much namespaces to collapse? Two, three?

[jonschlinkert]

I think we should just do something simple, like this (pseudo-code-ish):

var segs = this._namespace.split(':');
var first = segs[0];
var last = segs[segs.length - 1];

var displayName = first + '...' + last;

For this to work, we would need to ensure that only "application" namespaces are on this._namespace or whatever the property is. (maybe we can just use this.namespace, is that used elsewhere?) (edit: meaning that "child" namespaces wouldn't be on the property)

Also, I'm thinking namespace should be a getter/setter. but you might have addressed this

[tunnckoCore]

Also, I'm thinking namespace should be a getter/setter.

Yea, thought for it, but now i think that it shouldn't.

we would need to ensure that only "application" namespaces

Mm, maybe some registry which namespaces on per app basis? I know that now you may say it is too much, but it would be better, and no so hard.

edit: meaning that "child" namespaces wouldn't be on the property

No. I'm 👎 for this one. I think it should always contain all namespaces. In combination with above idea for namespaces registry the final result would be great!

For example. When debug plugin is called in templates, it will write created namespaces to the registry with key templates, when it plugin is called in assemble it would be with assemble key. So then we can easily detect which namespaces are for which app and show/collapse only them.

edit: if we create it this way we have

• "fullpath" namespace
• "per app basis" namespaces
• when can easily manipulate them and expose options to configure more things

[jonschlinkert]

I think it should always contain all namespaces.

I think you misunderstood what I meant:

"application" namespace

base:templates:assemble:verb

child namespace

helper

IMHO it's a no-brainer to keep a reference to the parent (application) namespace

[jonschlinkert]

Mm, maybe some registry

hopefully my previous comment cleared this up. you're already creating these, we just need an easy way to "append" child namespaces to base:templates:assemble:verb:foo... inside an app.

now i think that it shouldn't.

it's probably not necessary

[tunnckoCore]

I think you misunderstood what I meant:

Oo, i got it. Hm... that is almost implemented with this._debugNamespace, and we can just create one more property, say this._childNamespace (edit: again, when rethink it, i see it as some kind of "registry") which just removes the application namespace from this._debugNamespace.

[tunnckoCore]

we just need an easy way to "append" child namespaces

hm.. maybe i'm missing something, but i think it is done. Any call of this.debug "appends" more and more "child" namespaces, it is free to user to "add" new and new namespaces.

[jonschlinkert]

say this._childNamespace which just removes the application namespace from this._debugNamespace.

yeah I think that's the right idea. maybe just call the child namespace property _suffix, then _debugNamespace can be a getter or function or whatever that joins _namespace with _suffix.

[tunnckoCore]

child namespace property _suffix

Mm, ookey 👍

[jonschlinkert]

or.. we can rename _namespace to _debugPrefix, then _debugNamespace would join _debugPrefix and _debugSuffix

[jonschlinkert]

var debugNamespace = _debugPrefix + _debugSuffix

[doowb]

for the collapse/expand part of this... i think we only need to change the .namespace property on the actual debug method created by the debug library (after it's created). This allows users to still do DEBUG=base:templates:* but only see base...verb.

I like the _debugPrefix + _debugSuffix idea since the namespaces mainly for debugging/logging.

[tunnckoCore]

@jonschlinkert Yes! Great idea!

• debugNamespace - full
• debugSuffix - "child" namespace
• debugPrefix - "application" namespace

@doowb: i think we only need to change the .namespace property

yea, i was playing with that