[Zope] Product Related Questions

[James W. Howe]

Recently I created a new product in the Products folder.  When I first 
created the product, I didn't have any python code so I didn't create a 
directory for the product in the Products directory.  I simply used the 
"Add" button from the Products folder to create a new product.  I then 
populated my Product with a couple of ZClasses.

Yesterday I decided that I needed a new ZClass with a new Python base.  I 
then created a directory under Products which had the same name as my 
Product.  I added an __init__.py and a file containing my Python base 
class.  In the __init__, I added my new Python class as a base class.  I 
restarted Zope and expected to be able to add a new ZClass with a base 
class of my new base class.  However, my base class didn't show up in the 
list.  I looked at my Products directory and noticed that my python code 
had been compiled, so I knew that something happened.  I tried a couple of 
different things and the base class never showed up.  Finally, I moved my 
python code to a new directory and restarted.  This time, a new product 
showed up in the Products list and my base class was now visible.  My 
question is why?  Why didn't things work when I created a directory in 
Products which matched a current Product name?

On a related issue, I wanted to export my product so that I could import it 
into another Zope installation.  However, my product doesnt have an 
"import/export" tab.  Instead it has a "Distribution" tab.  Using the 
Distribution tab, I can create a .tar file which includes an __init__.py, a 
product.dat and a version file.  How do you use a distribution?  Why can't 
I export my Product?  If I add a new Product to the list, why doesn't Zope 
automatically create a subdirectory under Products to accommodate potential 
Python extensions?

Thanks.


James W. Howe				mailto:jwh@allencreek.com
Allen Creek Software, Inc.		pgpkey: http://ic.net/~jwh/pgpkey.html		
Ann Arbor, MI  48103