Code

sort HTMLClass.properties results by name (sf feature 724738)
[roundup.git] / roundup / cgi / templating.py
index 145b3b68b66265c13bb97dc9755f6eb540d7642b..cd4a87194f2705904a0b65e21607d3e79a9ccd3c 100644 (file)
@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@ class Templates:
             if os.path.isdir(filename): continue
             if '.' in filename:
                 name, extension = filename.split('.')
-                self.getTemplate(name, extension)
+                self.get(name, extension)
             else:
-                self.getTemplate(filename, None)
+                self.get(filename, None)
 
-    def get(self, name, extension):
+    def get(self, name, extension=None):
         ''' Interface to get a template, possibly loading a compiled template.
 
             "name" and "extension" indicate the template we're after, which in
@@ -55,34 +55,42 @@ class Templates:
         # default the name to "home"
         if name is None:
             name = 'home'
+        elif extension is None and '.' in name:
+            # split name
+            name, extension = name.split('.')
 
         # find the source, figure the time it was last modified
         if extension:
             filename = '%s.%s'%(name, extension)
         else:
             filename = name
+
         src = os.path.join(self.dir, filename)
+        if not os.path.exists(src):
+            filename = filename + '.html'
+            src = os.path.join(self.dir, filename)
+            if not os.path.exists(src):
+                if not extension:
+                    raise NoTemplate, 'Template file "%s" doesn\'t exist'%name
+
+                # try for a generic template
+                generic = '_generic.%s'%extension
+                src = os.path.join(self.dir, generic)
+                if not os.path.exists(src):
+                    generic = '_generic.%s.html'%extension
+                    src = os.path.join(self.dir, generic)
+                    if not os.path.exists(src):
+                        raise NoTemplate, 'No template file exists for '\
+                            'templating "%s" with template "%s" (neither '\
+                            '"%s" nor "%s")'%(name, extension, filename,
+                            generic)
+                filename = generic
+
         try:
             stime = os.stat(src)[os.path.stat.ST_MTIME]
         except os.error, error:
             if error.errno != errno.ENOENT:
                 raise
-            if not extension:
-                raise NoTemplate, 'Template file "%s" doesn\'t exist'%name
-
-            # try for a generic template
-            generic = '_generic.%s'%extension
-            src = os.path.join(self.dir, generic)
-            try:
-                stime = os.stat(src)[os.path.stat.ST_MTIME]
-            except os.error, error:
-                if error.errno != errno.ENOENT:
-                    raise
-                # nicer error
-                raise NoTemplate, 'No template file exists for templating '\
-                    '"%s" with template "%s" (neither "%s" nor "%s")'%(name,
-                    extension, filename, generic)
-            filename = generic
 
         if self.templates.has_key(src) and \
                 stime < self.templates[src].mtime:
@@ -156,11 +164,13 @@ class RoundupPageTemplate(PageTemplate.PageTemplate):
         # add in the item if there is one
         if client.nodeid:
             if classname == 'user':
-                c['context'] = HTMLUser(client, classname, client.nodeid)
+                c['context'] = HTMLUser(client, classname, client.nodeid,
+                    anonymous=1)
             else:
-                c['context'] = HTMLItem(client, classname, client.nodeid)
+                c['context'] = HTMLItem(client, classname, client.nodeid,
+                    anonymous=1)
         elif client.db.classes.has_key(classname):
-            c['context'] = HTMLClass(client, classname)
+            c['context'] = HTMLClass(client, classname, anonymous=1)
         return c
 
     def render(self, client, classname, request, **options):
@@ -192,13 +202,20 @@ class HTMLDatabase:
     '''
     def __init__(self, client):
         self._client = client
+        self._db = client.db
 
         # we want config to be exposed
         self.config = client.db.config
 
-    def __getitem__(self, item):
-        self._client.db.getclass(item)
-        return HTMLClass(self._client, item)
+    def __getitem__(self, item, desre=re.compile(r'(?P<cl>\w+)(?P<id>[-\d]+)')):
+        # check to see if we're actually accessing an item
+        m = desre.match(item)
+        if m:
+            self._client.db.getclass(m.group('cl'))
+            return HTMLItem(self._client, m.group('cl'), m.group('id'))
+        else:
+            self._client.db.getclass(item)
+            return HTMLClass(self._client, item)
 
     def __getattr__(self, attr):
         try:
@@ -246,9 +263,10 @@ class HTMLPermissions:
 class HTMLClass(HTMLPermissions):
     ''' Accesses through a class (either through *class* or *db.<classname>*)
     '''
-    def __init__(self, client, classname):
+    def __init__(self, client, classname, anonymous=0):
         self._client = client
         self._db = client.db
+        self._anonymous = anonymous
 
         # we want classname to be exposed, but _classname gives a
         # consistent API for extending Class/Item
@@ -293,7 +311,8 @@ class HTMLClass(HTMLPermissions):
                     value = []
                 else:
                     value = None
-            return htmlklass(self._client, '', prop, item, value)
+            return htmlklass(self._client, self._classname, '', prop, item,
+                value, self._anonymous)
 
         # no good
         raise KeyError, item
@@ -319,7 +338,7 @@ class HTMLClass(HTMLPermissions):
 
         return klass(self._client, self.classname, itemid)
 
-    def properties(self):
+    def properties(self, sort=1):
         ''' Return HTMLProperty for all of this class' properties.
         '''
         l = []
@@ -330,7 +349,10 @@ class HTMLClass(HTMLPermissions):
                 else:
                     value = None
                 if isinstance(prop, klass):
-                    l.append(htmlklass(self._client, '', prop, name, value))
+                    l.append(htmlklass(self._client, self._classname, '',
+                        prop, name, value, self._anonymous))
+        if sort:
+            l.sort(lambda a,b:cmp(a._name, b._name))
         return l
 
     def list(self):
@@ -387,10 +409,15 @@ class HTMLClass(HTMLPermissions):
         ''' Return a list of items from this class, filtered and sorted
             by the current requested filterspec/filter/sort/group args
         '''
+        # XXX allow direct specification of the filterspec etc.
         if request is not None:
             filterspec = request.filterspec
             sort = request.sort
             group = request.group
+        else:
+            filterspec = {}
+            sort = (None,None)
+            group = (None,None)
         if self.classname == 'user':
             klass = HTMLUser
         else:
@@ -399,8 +426,8 @@ class HTMLClass(HTMLPermissions):
              for x in self._klass.filter(None, filterspec, sort, group)]
         return l
 
-    def classhelp(self, properties=None, label='list', width='500',
-            height='400'):
+    def classhelp(self, properties=None, label='(list)', width='500',
+            height='400', property=''):
         ''' Pop up a javascript window with class help
 
             This generates a link to a popup window which displays the 
@@ -412,14 +439,19 @@ class HTMLClass(HTMLPermissions):
 
             You may optionally override the label displayed, the width and
             height. The popup window will be resizable and scrollable.
+
+            If the "property" arg is given, it's passed through to the
+            javascript help_window function.
         '''
         if properties is None:
             properties = self._klass.getprops(protected=0).keys()
             properties.sort()
             properties = ','.join(properties)
-        return '<a href="javascript:help_window(\'%s?:template=help&' \
-            'properties=%s\', \'%s\', \'%s\')"><b>(%s)</b></a>'%(
-            self.classname, properties, width, height, label)
+        if property:
+            property = '&property=%s'%property
+        return '<a class="classhelp" href="javascript:help_window(\'%s?:'\
+            'template=help&properties=%s%s\', \'%s\', \'%s\')">%s</a>'%(
+            self.classname, properties, property, width, height, label)
 
     def submit(self, label="Submit New Entry"):
         ''' Generate a submit button (and action hidden element)
@@ -447,7 +479,7 @@ class HTMLClass(HTMLPermissions):
 class HTMLItem(HTMLPermissions):
     ''' Accesses through an *item*
     '''
-    def __init__(self, client, classname, nodeid):
+    def __init__(self, client, classname, nodeid, anonymous=0):
         self._client = client
         self._db = client.db
         self._classname = classname
@@ -455,6 +487,9 @@ class HTMLItem(HTMLPermissions):
         self._klass = self._db.getclass(classname)
         self._props = self._klass.getprops()
 
+        # do we prefix the form items with the item's identification?
+        self._anonymous = anonymous
+
     def __repr__(self):
         return '<HTMLItem(0x%x) %s %s>'%(id(self), self._classname,
             self._nodeid)
@@ -470,7 +505,9 @@ class HTMLItem(HTMLPermissions):
         prop = self._props[item]
 
         # get the value, handling missing values
-        value = self._klass.get(self._nodeid, item, None)
+        value = None
+        if int(self._nodeid) > 0:
+            value = self._klass.get(self._nodeid, item, None)
         if value is None:
             if isinstance(self._props[item], hyperdb.Multilink):
                 value = []
@@ -478,7 +515,8 @@ class HTMLItem(HTMLPermissions):
         # look up the correct HTMLProperty class
         for klass, htmlklass in propclasses:
             if isinstance(prop, klass):
-                return htmlklass(self._client, self._nodeid, prop, item, value)
+                return htmlklass(self._client, self._classname,
+                    self._nodeid, prop, item, value, self._anonymous)
 
         raise KeyError, item
 
@@ -574,8 +612,7 @@ class HTMLItem(HTMLPermissions):
                                 os.path.join(self._db.config.TEMPLATES,
                                 classname+'.item'))
 
-                        if isinstance(prop, hyperdb.Multilink) and \
-                                len(args[k]) > 0:
+                        if isinstance(prop, hyperdb.Multilink) and args[k]:
                             ml = []
                             for linkid in args[k]:
                                 if isinstance(linkid, type(())):
@@ -636,8 +673,6 @@ class HTMLItem(HTMLPermissions):
                             d = date.Date(args[k]).local(timezone)
                             cell.append('%s: %s'%(k, str(d)))
                             if current.has_key(k):
-                                if not current[k] == '(no value)' and current[k]:
-                                    current[k] = date.Date(current[k]).local(timezone)
                                 cell[-1] += ' -> %s' % current[k]
                                 current[k] = str(d)
 
@@ -710,23 +745,23 @@ class HTMLItem(HTMLPermissions):
 class HTMLUser(HTMLItem):
     ''' Accesses through the *user* (a special case of item)
     '''
-    def __init__(self, client, classname, nodeid):
-        HTMLItem.__init__(self, client, 'user', nodeid)
+    def __init__(self, client, classname, nodeid, anonymous=0):
+        HTMLItem.__init__(self, client, 'user', nodeid, anonymous)
         self._default_classname = client.classname
 
         # used for security checks
         self._security = client.db.security
 
     _marker = []
-    def hasPermission(self, role, classname=_marker):
-        ''' Determine if the user has the Role.
+    def hasPermission(self, permission, classname=_marker):
+        ''' Determine if the user has the Permission.
 
             The class being tested defaults to the template's class, but may
             be overidden for this test by suppling an alternate classname.
         '''
         if classname is self._marker:
             classname = self._default_classname
-        return self._security.hasPermission(role, self._nodeid, classname)
+        return self._security.hasPermission(permission, self._nodeid, classname)
 
     def is_edit_ok(self):
         ''' Is the user allowed to Edit the current class?
@@ -752,15 +787,23 @@ class HTMLProperty:
 
         A wrapper object which may be stringified for the plain() behaviour.
     '''
-    def __init__(self, client, nodeid, prop, name, value):
+    def __init__(self, client, classname, nodeid, prop, name, value,
+            anonymous=0):
         self._client = client
         self._db = client.db
+        self._classname = classname
         self._nodeid = nodeid
         self._prop = prop
-        self._name = name
         self._value = value
+        self._anonymous = anonymous
+        self._name = name
+        if not anonymous:
+            self._formname = '%s%s@%s'%(classname, nodeid, name)
+        else:
+            self._formname = name
     def __repr__(self):
-        return '<HTMLProperty(0x%x) %s %r %r>'%(id(self), self._name, self._prop, self._value)
+        return '<HTMLProperty(0x%x) %s %r %r>'%(id(self), self._formname,
+            self._prop, self._value)
     def __str__(self):
         return self.plain()
     def __cmp__(self, other):
@@ -827,7 +870,7 @@ class StringHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
         else:
             value = cgi.escape(str(self._value))
             value = '&quot;'.join(value.split('"'))
-        return '<input name="%s" value="%s" size="%s">'%(self._name, value, size)
+        return '<input name="%s" value="%s" size="%s">'%(self._formname, value, size)
 
     def multiline(self, escape=0, rows=5, cols=40):
         ''' Render a multiline form edit field for the property
@@ -838,7 +881,7 @@ class StringHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
             value = cgi.escape(str(self._value))
             value = '&quot;'.join(value.split('"'))
         return '<textarea name="%s" rows="%s" cols="%s">%s</textarea>'%(
-            self._name, rows, cols, value)
+            self._formname, rows, cols, value)
 
     def email(self, escape=1):
         ''' Render the value of the property as an obscured email address
@@ -867,15 +910,15 @@ class PasswordHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
     def field(self, size = 30):
         ''' Render a form edit field for the property.
         '''
-        return '<input type="password" name="%s" size="%s">'%(self._name, size)
+        return '<input type="password" name="%s" size="%s">'%(self._formname, size)
 
     def confirm(self, size = 30):
         ''' Render a second form edit field for the property, used for 
             confirmation that the user typed the password correctly. Generates
-            a field with name "name:confirm".
+            a field with name ":confirm:name".
         '''
-        return '<input type="password" name="%s:confirm" size="%s">'%(
-            self._name, size)
+        return '<input type="password" name=":confirm:%s" size="%s">'%(
+            self._formname, size)
 
 class NumberHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
     def plain(self):
@@ -891,7 +934,18 @@ class NumberHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
         else:
             value = cgi.escape(str(self._value))
             value = '&quot;'.join(value.split('"'))
-        return '<input name="%s" value="%s" size="%s">'%(self._name, value, size)
+        return '<input name="%s" value="%s" size="%s">'%(self._formname, value, size)
+
+    def __int__(self):
+        ''' Return an int of me
+        '''
+        return int(self._value)
+
+    def __float__(self):
+        ''' Return a float of me
+        '''
+        return float(self._value)
+
 
 class BooleanHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
     def plain(self):
@@ -905,13 +959,13 @@ class BooleanHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
         ''' Render a form edit field for the property
         '''
         checked = self._value and "checked" or ""
-        s = '<input type="radio" name="%s" value="yes" %s>Yes'%(self._name,
+        s = '<input type="radio" name="%s" value="yes" %s>Yes'%(self._formname,
             checked)
         if checked:
             checked = ""
         else:
             checked = "checked"
-        s += '<input type="radio" name="%s" value="no" %s>No'%(self._name,
+        s += '<input type="radio" name="%s" value="no" %s>No'%(self._formname,
             checked)
         return s
 
@@ -923,6 +977,15 @@ class DateHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
             return ''
         return str(self._value.local(self._db.getUserTimezone()))
 
+    def now(self):
+        ''' Return the current time.
+
+            This is useful for defaulting a new value. Returns a
+            DateHTMLProperty.
+        '''
+        return DateHTMLProperty(self._client, self._nodeid, self._prop,
+            self._formname, date.Date('.'))
+
     def field(self, size = 30):
         ''' Render a form edit field for the property
         '''
@@ -931,7 +994,7 @@ class DateHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
         else:
             value = cgi.escape(str(self._value.local(self._db.getUserTimezone())))
             value = '&quot;'.join(value.split('"'))
-        return '<input name="%s" value="%s" size="%s">'%(self._name, value, size)
+        return '<input name="%s" value="%s" size="%s">'%(self._formname, value, size)
 
     def reldate(self, pretty=1):
         ''' Render the interval between the date and now.
@@ -947,7 +1010,8 @@ class DateHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
             return interval.pretty()
         return str(interval)
 
-    def pretty(self, format='%d %B %Y'):
+    _marker = []
+    def pretty(self, format=_marker):
         ''' Render the date in a pretty format (eg. month names, spaces).
 
             The format string is a standard python strftime format string.
@@ -955,13 +1019,16 @@ class DateHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
             string, then it'll be stripped from the output. This is handy
             for the situatin when a date only specifies a month and a year.
         '''
-        return self._value.pretty()
+        if format is not self._marker:
+            return self._value.pretty(format)
+        else:
+            return self._value.pretty()
 
     def local(self, offset):
         ''' Return the date/time as a local (timezone offset) date/time.
         '''
         return DateHTMLProperty(self._client, self._nodeid, self._prop,
-            self._name, self._value.local())
+            self._formname, self._value.local(offset))
 
 class IntervalHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
     def plain(self):
@@ -984,7 +1051,7 @@ class IntervalHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
         else:
             value = cgi.escape(str(self._value))
             value = '&quot;'.join(value.split('"'))
-        return '<input name="%s" value="%s" size="%s">'%(self._name, value, size)
+        return '<input name="%s" value="%s" size="%s">'%(self._formname, value, size)
 
 class LinkHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
     ''' Link HTMLProperty
@@ -996,8 +1063,8 @@ class LinkHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
         entry identified by the assignedto property on item, and then the
         name property of that user)
     '''
-    def __init__(self, *args):
-        HTMLProperty.__init__(self, *args)
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kw):
+        HTMLProperty.__init__(self, *args, **kw)
         # if we're representing a form value, then the -1 from the form really
         # should be a None
         if str(self._value) == '-1':
@@ -1037,7 +1104,7 @@ class LinkHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
             sort_on = linkcl.labelprop()  
         options = linkcl.filter(None, {}, ('+', sort_on), (None, None))
         # TODO: make this a field display, not a menu one!
-        l = ['<select name="%s">'%self._name]
+        l = ['<select name="%s">'%self._formname]
         k = linkcl.labelprop(1)
         if self._value is None:
             s = 'selected '
@@ -1084,7 +1151,7 @@ class LinkHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
         sortfunc = make_sort_function(self._db, self._prop.classname)
 
         linkcl = self._db.getclass(self._prop.classname)
-        l = ['<select name="%s">'%self._name]
+        l = ['<select name="%s">'%self._formname]
         k = linkcl.labelprop(1)
         s = ''
         if value is None:
@@ -1201,7 +1268,7 @@ class MultilinkHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
             k = linkcl.labelprop(1)
             value = [linkcl.get(v, k) for v in value]
         value = cgi.escape(','.join(value))
-        return '<input name="%s" size="%s" value="%s">'%(self._name, size, value)
+        return '<input name="%s" size="%s" value="%s">'%(self._formname, size, value)
 
     def menu(self, size=None, height=None, showid=0, additional=[],
             **conditions):
@@ -1219,7 +1286,7 @@ class MultilinkHTMLProperty(HTMLProperty):
             sort_on = ('+', linkcl.labelprop())
         options = linkcl.filter(None, conditions, sort_on, (None,None)) 
         height = height or min(len(options), 7)
-        l = ['<select multiple name="%s" size="%s">'%(self._name, height)]
+        l = ['<select multiple name="%s" size="%s">'%(self._formname, height)]
         k = linkcl.labelprop(1)
 
         # make sure we list the current values if they're retired
@@ -1337,6 +1404,9 @@ class HTMLRequest:
         self.classname = client.classname
         self.template = client.template
 
+        # the special char to use for special vars
+        self.special_char = '@'
+
         self._post_init()
 
     def _post_init(self):
@@ -1344,66 +1414,85 @@ class HTMLRequest:
         '''
         # extract the index display information from the form
         self.columns = []
-        if self.form.has_key(':columns'):
-            self.columns = handleListCGIValue(self.form[':columns'])
+        for name in ':columns @columns'.split():
+            if self.form.has_key(name):
+                self.special_char = name[0]
+                self.columns = handleListCGIValue(self.form[name])
+                break
         self.show = ShowDict(self.columns)
 
         # sorting
         self.sort = (None, None)
-        if self.form.has_key(':sort'):
-            sort = self.form[':sort'].value
-            if sort.startswith('-'):
-                self.sort = ('-', sort[1:])
-            else:
-                self.sort = ('+', sort)
-        if self.form.has_key(':sortdir'):
-            self.sort = ('-', self.sort[1])
+        for name in ':sort @sort'.split():
+            if self.form.has_key(name):
+                self.special_char = name[0]
+                sort = self.form[name].value
+                if sort.startswith('-'):
+                    self.sort = ('-', sort[1:])
+                else:
+                    self.sort = ('+', sort)
+                if self.form.has_key(self.special_char+'sortdir'):
+                    self.sort = ('-', self.sort[1])
 
         # grouping
         self.group = (None, None)
-        if self.form.has_key(':group'):
-            group = self.form[':group'].value
-            if group.startswith('-'):
-                self.group = ('-', group[1:])
-            else:
-                self.group = ('+', group)
-        if self.form.has_key(':groupdir'):
-            self.group = ('-', self.group[1])
+        for name in ':group @group'.split():
+            if self.form.has_key(name):
+                self.special_char = name[0]
+                group = self.form[name].value
+                if group.startswith('-'):
+                    self.group = ('-', group[1:])
+                else:
+                    self.group = ('+', group)
+                if self.form.has_key(self.special_char+'groupdir'):
+                    self.group = ('-', self.group[1])
 
         # filtering
         self.filter = []
-        if self.form.has_key(':filter'):
-            self.filter = handleListCGIValue(self.form[':filter'])
+        for name in ':filter @filter'.split():
+            if self.form.has_key(name):
+                self.special_char = name[0]
+                self.filter = handleListCGIValue(self.form[name])
+
         self.filterspec = {}
         db = self.client.db
         if self.classname is not None:
             props = db.getclass(self.classname).getprops()
             for name in self.filter:
-                if self.form.has_key(name):
-                    prop = props[name]
-                    fv = self.form[name]
-                    if (isinstance(prop, hyperdb.Link) or
-                            isinstance(prop, hyperdb.Multilink)):
-                        self.filterspec[name] = lookupIds(db, prop,
-                            handleListCGIValue(fv))
+                if not self.form.has_key(name):
+                    continue
+                prop = props[name]
+                fv = self.form[name]
+                if (isinstance(prop, hyperdb.Link) or
+                        isinstance(prop, hyperdb.Multilink)):
+                    self.filterspec[name] = lookupIds(db, prop,
+                        handleListCGIValue(fv))
+                else:
+                    if isinstance(fv, type([])):
+                        self.filterspec[name] = [v.value for v in fv]
                     else:
                         self.filterspec[name] = fv.value
 
         # full-text search argument
         self.search_text = None
-        if self.form.has_key(':search_text'):
-            self.search_text = self.form[':search_text'].value
+        for name in ':search_text @search_text'.split():
+            if self.form.has_key(name):
+                self.special_char = name[0]
+                self.search_text = self.form[name].value
 
         # pagination - size and start index
         # figure batch args
-        if self.form.has_key(':pagesize'):
-            self.pagesize = int(self.form[':pagesize'].value)
-        else:
-            self.pagesize = 50
-        if self.form.has_key(':startwith'):
-            self.startwith = int(self.form[':startwith'].value)
-        else:
-            self.startwith = 0
+        self.pagesize = 50
+        for name in ':pagesize @pagesize'.split():
+            if self.form.has_key(name):
+                self.special_char = name[0]
+                self.pagesize = int(self.form[name].value)
+
+        self.startwith = 0
+        for name in ':startwith @startwith'.split():
+            if self.form.has_key(name):
+                self.special_char = name[0]
+                self.startwith = int(self.form[name].value)
 
     def updateFromURL(self, url):
         ''' Parse the URL for query args, and update my attributes using the
@@ -1476,23 +1565,24 @@ env: %(env)s
             filterspec=1):
         ''' return the current index args as form elements '''
         l = []
+        sc = self.special_char
         s = '<input type="hidden" name="%s" value="%s">'
         if columns and self.columns:
-            l.append(s%(':columns', ','.join(self.columns)))
+            l.append(s%(sc+'columns', ','.join(self.columns)))
         if sort and self.sort[1] is not None:
             if self.sort[0] == '-':
                 val = '-'+self.sort[1]
             else:
                 val = self.sort[1]
-            l.append(s%(':sort', val))
+            l.append(s%(sc+'sort', val))
         if group and self.group[1] is not None:
             if self.group[0] == '-':
                 val = '-'+self.group[1]
             else:
                 val = self.group[1]
-            l.append(s%(':group', val))
+            l.append(s%(sc+'group', val))
         if filter and self.filter:
-            l.append(s%(':filter', ','.join(self.filter)))
+            l.append(s%(sc+'filter', ','.join(self.filter)))
         if filterspec:
             for k,v in self.filterspec.items():
                 if type(v) == type([]):
@@ -1500,42 +1590,54 @@ env: %(env)s
                 else:
                     l.append(s%(k, v))
         if self.search_text:
-            l.append(s%(':search_text', self.search_text))
-        l.append(s%(':pagesize', self.pagesize))
-        l.append(s%(':startwith', self.startwith))
+            l.append(s%(sc+'search_text', self.search_text))
+        l.append(s%(sc+'pagesize', self.pagesize))
+        l.append(s%(sc+'startwith', self.startwith))
         return '\n'.join(l)
 
     def indexargs_url(self, url, args):
-        ''' embed the current index args in a URL '''
+        ''' Embed the current index args in a URL
+        '''
+        sc = self.special_char
         l = ['%s=%s'%(k,v) for k,v in args.items()]
-        if self.columns and not args.has_key(':columns'):
-            l.append(':columns=%s'%(','.join(self.columns)))
-        if self.sort[1] is not None and not args.has_key(':sort'):
+
+        # pull out the special values (prefixed by @ or :)
+        specials = {}
+        for key in args.keys():
+            if key[0] in '@:':
+                specials[key[1:]] = args[key]
+
+        # ok, now handle the specials we received in the request
+        if self.columns and not specials.has_key('columns'):
+            l.append(sc+'columns=%s'%(','.join(self.columns)))
+        if self.sort[1] is not None and not specials.has_key('sort'):
             if self.sort[0] == '-':
                 val = '-'+self.sort[1]
             else:
                 val = self.sort[1]
-            l.append(':sort=%s'%val)
-        if self.group[1] is not None and not args.has_key(':group'):
+            l.append(sc+'sort=%s'%val)
+        if self.group[1] is not None and not specials.has_key('group'):
             if self.group[0] == '-':
                 val = '-'+self.group[1]
             else:
                 val = self.group[1]
-            l.append(':group=%s'%val)
-        if self.filter and not args.has_key(':columns'):
-            l.append(':filter=%s'%(','.join(self.filter)))
+            l.append(sc+'group=%s'%val)
+        if self.filter and not specials.has_key('filter'):
+            l.append(sc+'filter=%s'%(','.join(self.filter)))
+        if self.search_text and not specials.has_key('search_text'):
+            l.append(sc+'search_text=%s'%self.search_text)
+        if not specials.has_key('pagesize'):
+            l.append(sc+'pagesize=%s'%self.pagesize)
+        if not specials.has_key('startwith'):
+            l.append(sc+'startwith=%s'%self.startwith)
+
+        # finally, the remainder of the filter args in the request
         for k,v in self.filterspec.items():
             if not args.has_key(k):
                 if type(v) == type([]):
                     l.append('%s=%s'%(k, ','.join(v)))
                 else:
                     l.append('%s=%s'%(k, v))
-        if self.search_text and not args.has_key(':search_text'):
-            l.append(':search_text=%s'%self.search_text)
-        if not args.has_key(':pagesize'):
-            l.append(':pagesize=%s'%self.pagesize)
-        if not args.has_key(':startwith'):
-            l.append(':startwith=%s'%self.startwith)
         return '%s?%s'%(url, '&'.join(l))
     indexargs_href = indexargs_url