My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

[fsi]

I've watched Steve Workings' videos on web security - users & groups - and reviewed the docs as well. I'm unclear on how to do something (and unsure it can be done with relative ease).

As I understand it, there are two primary (and easy) ways to manage user information for login/security purposes. One is through the User & Groups "wizard"; the other appears to be import of pertinent data from an existing table.

In my app, there exists a USER table. The User table contains loginid, role information, data unique to the user, password, etc. The role field gets used on virtually every page, report, etc.

It seems to me that the login component should be able to query directly against that table. I'm not able to see how that can be done. It seems, instead, that a recurring import would be required upon the client's administrative personnel making changes. Is that really what must be done? And, if so, how is that best implemented? Each modification by HR would trigger import?

Please tell me there's any easier way.

[richard2007]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

how are your HR changing data (or adding new users), through a web app or desk top?

if web, then if you follow steves guide it shows you how to add a user to security table before adding them to your db table.

effectively adding the user to the web security before adding to your database.

the login component queries against the web security tables not your database tables.

if they are adding users from a desktop app which then needs adding to the web security, well so far im afraid, regular imports to the web security table is the only way i have been able to find and would also like to see a better way to do this.

[fsi]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

The user information will be modified by HR staff via web page. I don't see how (or why) providing HR access to the Security Table is the way to go. These changes may include critical issues such as ROLE. The ROLE gets used immediately upon the User's successful login and frequently (at every page?) after that.

Also, as new staff are hired, HR would add the user via the web page.

As I've continued to search the forum, it seems I'm almost forced to "roll my own" login system. Not an enthusiastic way to begin. ;)

[richard2007]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

you dont need to do your own, the one already in place is good enough.

to login you only need to create a few fields, username, passowrd, ulink and group.

these can all be created using the user registration on steves website. then im sure that the user group can be changed later.

if you havent already seen it have a look at user registration here

http://www.alphatogo.com/resources.a...lities_Page=2&

it took me a few times reading through it before it clicked.

[Steve Wood]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

Jon, that document, which is here, is a little out of date but worthwhile to read. I also have a complete template featured at this location http://wt.alphatogohost.com.

[FrankR]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

Also, as new staff are hired, HR would add the user via the web page.

As I've continued to search the forum, it seems I'm almost forced to "roll my own" login system.

What you describe is a very common scenario - one which should be enabled inside Alpha without requiring you to *roll your own*.

[Steve Wood]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

Describe what you want with a little detail and I will write it.

[fsi]

Can anyone confirm accuracy of A5 documentation re: security?

I've been fighting with the Alpha-documented procedure to build a web component that would allow a user (human resources) to add a new user via web page. Honestly, it looks easy enough - and it appears it might do exactly what I need to do. But I can't get it to work.

http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp...lpv9/index.htm
Topic Title: "Adding Users with a Web Component"

In spite of going through the steps some umpteen times, clicking on SUBMIT does not seem to add anything to the web user table as documented. No error is returned, either, although it does return error on validation criteria such as password length, mismatch on confirmation, and conflict with existing userid (where previously entered through A5 IDE Users & Groups).

This leaves me wondering if there might be a step or two missing from the documentation.

Can anyone run through the steps (as documented in A5 online help) and confirm?

[fsi]

Can anyone confirm accuracy of A5 documentation re: security?

(oops... sorry about the double-post... meant to create a new thread rather than amend my previous thread)

I've been fighting with the Alpha-documented procedure to build a web component that would allow a user (human resources) to add a new user via web page. Honestly, it looks easy enough - and it appears it might do exactly what I need to do. But I can't get it to work.

http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp...lpv9/index.htm
Topic Title: "Adding Users with a Web Component"

In spite of going through the steps some umpteen times, clicking on SUBMIT does not seem to add anything to the web user table as documented. No error is returned, either, although it does return error on validation criteria such as password length, mismatch on confirmation, and conflict with existing userid (where previously entered through A5 IDE Users & Groups).

This leaves me wondering if there might be a step or two missing from the documentation.

Can anyone run through the steps (as documented in A5 online help) and confirm?

[Steve Wood]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

I don't have an answer other than to say that documentation must have been recently updated to use some new security functions. The old method used a5ws_save_user_values(CurrentForm,request) whereas the new text shows a5ws_save_webuser_values(CurrentForm).

I think part of the problem is not too many have tried the new functions.

Can you just attach your dialog for someone to test?

[wondermur]

security validation

So... did anyone ever come up with a solution to the issue of the login component using a different table? I want the benefits of the security system but need to validate against the client's existing member/name table. Anyone?

Thanks!

Paul

[JaxxB]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

Steve, where is the new documentation?
a5ws_save_webuser_values(CurrentForm)

[Steve Wood]

Re: My first A5 web app - users & groups, security

Its in the normal Help file. Here's how you find it:

Type "a5ws_" in the index and pick any of the security functions. Look at the bottom for a link to Web Functions and click that. You get a page of all the functions, except a few unpublished functions. Find the a5ws_save_webuser_values() function and click that.

It's not in the Contents, not in the Index, not in the Search.

Its also in the Wiki at this location: http://wiki.alphasoftware.com/A5WS_S...webuser_values

Here is the web function page if you cant find it.

http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp..._Functions.htm