Modules

 

As you navigate around the Arena application, you see many different ways in which you can interact with the data in your Arena database, each appearing as its own separate piece. These separate pieces of the Arena application are called Modules. Modules are small applications or ‘applets’ which can be stand-alone or operate in tandem with other modules. These applets deal with a specific function of the Arena application in a highly specialized method, allowing them to be very small and very efficient. This also allows you to place a portion of the application virtually anywhere, from adding forms to various internal pages to displaying information from your database on an external site. The Module page displays all available modules.

There are several hundred modules already in use with several more available for use. These modules can serve utilitarian functions such as the Page Dropdown menu module for navigation or the Login Logout module for secured sections of your web site. They can also be static modules for displaying information such as an Advance HTML Text module used to display a Flash animation file or an image. Some optional modules can even be interactive, such as a Poll Display Active in Category module to gain information from visitors to your website. In addition to customizing modules to fit the needs of your organization, you are encouraged to explore the available modules and place them as needed throughout your website.

Two of the most underestimated modules in Arena, and worthy of special mention are the Advanced HTML Text and Report Grid From Query (commonly referred to as RGFQ) module. The Advanced HTML module can be used for nearly any type of HTML code, from formatted tables to Flash animation files to image maps, and still be edited as easily as any text file. For example, you could create an image from a map of your city and the surrounding area, place it in the Advanced HTML Text module, then create an image map linking to pages for your small group areas so that a visitor can select a small group near their home or work. Just about anywhere where you might think you need to write an element into your template, such as a link, some header text, or a Flash animation, you can instead use an Advanced HTML module so that you can later edit the element without needing to modify your template. The RGFQ module can be effectively used to display SQL query data. This module can display the results of a query that is less than 2,000 characters in length or run a custom stored procedure.

Each module has specific functions and may or may not contain module settings. Some module settings are required and some are optional. While Arena already has the needed modules in place for most features, you want to review the module setting of the modules that are used for the features your organization uses.

All available modules display on the Administration menu Modules option. The Disabled Delete  icon indicates the module is applied to at least one page. The Delete  icon indicates the module is not applied to any page.

Use the Module Name, Category and Added in last <#> days filters to display specific modules. You can enter any part of the module name.

•Name – This column displays the name of the module. Click the Name link to view module details.

•Module URL – This column displays the file path of the ascx file stored in the ~ArenaChMS/Arena/UserControls folder.

•Allows Child Modules – A Check Mark  icon in this column indicates this module can contain child modules.

The Pages column displays a link that displays the pages where this module is currently applied.

The last column displays either a Disabled Delete  icon that indicates the module is applied to at least one page or a Delete  icon that indicates the module is not currently in use on any page.

At the bottom of this page, you can import or export modules.

Use Import Modules to browse and select modules to upload.

Click the Export Modules link to display a pop-up to select module to export, creating an XML file that contains the contents of the .ascx file and the module reference for the database.