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Create custom generic field type

The Generic field type is an abstract implementation of field types holding structured data for example, address. You can use it as a base for custom field types. The Generic field type comes with the implementation of basic methods, reduces the number of classes which must be created, and simplifies the tagging process.

A more in-depth, step-by-step tutorial can be viewed here: Creating a Point 2D field type.

Tip

You should not use the Generic field type when you need a very specific implementation or complete control over the way data is stored.

Simple hash values

A simple hash value always means an array of scalar values and/or nested arrays of scalar values. To avoid issues with format conversion, don't use objects inside the simple hash values.

Define value object

First, create Value.php in the src/FieldType/HelloWorld directory. The Value class of a field type contains only the basic logic of a field type, the rest of it's handled by the Type class. For more information about field type Value, see Value handling.

The HelloWorld Value class should contain:

• public properties that retrieve name
• an implementation of the __toString() method

<?php declare(strict_types=1);

namespace App\FieldType\HelloWorld;

use Ibexa\Contracts\Core\FieldType\Value as ValueInterface;
use Symfony\Component\Validator\Constraints as Assert;

final class Value implements ValueInterface
{
    /**
     * @Assert\NotBlank()
     */
    private ?string $name;

    public function getName(): ?string
    {
        return $this->name;
    }

    public function setName(?string $name): void
    {
        $this->name = $name;
    }

    public function __toString()
    {
        return "Hello {$this->name}!";
    }
}

Define fields and configuration

Next, implement a definition of a field type extending the Generic field type in the src/FieldType/HelloWorld/Type.php class. It provides settings for the field type and an implementation of the Ibexa\Contracts\Core\FieldType\FieldType abstract class.

<?php declare(strict_types=1);

namespace App\FieldType\HelloWorld;

use App\Form\Type\HelloWorldType;
use Ibexa\Contracts\ContentForms\Data\Content\FieldData;

final class Type extends GenericType implements FieldValueFormMapperInterface
{
    public function getFieldTypeIdentifier(): string
    {
        return 'hello_world';
    }
}

For more information about the Type class of a field type, see Type class.

Next, register the field type as a service and tag it with ibexa.field_type:

services:
    App\FieldType\HelloWorld\Type:
        public: true
        tags:
            - { name: ibexa.field_type, alias: hello_world }

Define form for value object

Create a src/Form/Type/HelloWorldType.php form. It enables you to edit the new field type.

<?php

declare(strict_types=1);

namespace App\Form\Type;

use App\FieldType\HelloWorld\Value;
use Symfony\Component\Form\AbstractType;
use Symfony\Component\Form\Extension\Core\Type\TextType;
use Symfony\Component\Form\FormBuilderInterface;
use Symfony\Component\OptionsResolver\OptionsResolver;

final class HelloWorldType extends AbstractType
{
    public function buildForm(FormBuilderInterface $builder, array $options): void
    {
        $builder->add('name', TextType::class);
    }

    public function configureOptions(OptionsResolver $resolver): void
    {
        $resolver->setDefaults([
            'data_class' => Value::class,
        ]);
    }
}

Now you can map field definitions into Symfony forms with FormMapper. Add the mapFieldValueForm() method required by FieldValueFormMapperInterface and the required use statements to src/FieldType/HelloWorld/Type.php:

<?php declare(strict_types=1);

namespace App\FieldType\HelloWorld;

use App\Form\Type\HelloWorldType;
use Ibexa\Contracts\ContentForms\Data\Content\FieldData;
use Ibexa\Contracts\ContentForms\FieldType\FieldValueFormMapperInterface;
use Ibexa\Contracts\Core\FieldType\Generic\Type as GenericType;
use Symfony\Component\Form\FormInterface;

final class Type extends GenericType implements FieldValueFormMapperInterface
{
    public function getFieldTypeIdentifier(): string
    {
        return 'hello_world';
    }

    public function mapFieldValueForm(FormInterface $fieldForm, FieldData $data): void
    {
        $definition = $data->fieldDefinition;

        $fieldForm->add('value', HelloWorldType::class, [
            'required' => $definition->isRequired,
            'label' => $definition->getName(),
        ]);
    }
}

For more information about the FormMappers, see field type form and template.

Next, add the ibexa.admin_ui.field_type.form.mapper.value tag to the service definition:

services:
    App\FieldType\HelloWorld\Type:
        public: true
        tags:
            - { name: ibexa.field_type, alias: hello_world }
            - { name: ibexa.admin_ui.field_type.form.mapper.value, fieldType: hello_world }

Render fields

Create a template

Create a template for the new field type. It defines the default rendering of the HelloWorld field. In the templates/themes/standard/field_types directory create a field_type.html.twig file:

{% block hello_world_field %}
    Hello <b>{{ field.value.getName() }}!</b>
{% endblock %}

Template mapping

Provide the template mapping under the ibexa.system.<scope>.field_templates configuration key:

ibexa:
    system:
        default:
            field_templates:
                - { template: '@ibexadesign/field_types/field_type.html.twig', priority: 0 }

Final results

Finally, you should be able to add a new content type in the back office interface. Navigate to Content types tab and under Content category create a new content type:

Next, define a Hello World field:

After saving, your Hello World content type should be available under Content in the sidebar menu.