====== VuFind Newsletter: January, 2021 ======


===== Highlights / Executive Summary =====

This month's focus was on finishing up outstanding issues to enable a February release of VuFind 7.1. The biggest new feature of the release, [[configuration:record_versions|Record Versions]], was completed, and significant progress was made on updating dependencies and improving compatibility. On the subject of compatibility, VuFind was tested with PHP 8, and two small bugs were fixed as a result; the only known outstanding issue is related to a bug in the laminas-db dependency, which should be fixed soon.

In parallel with the work on the impending 7.1 release, progress was also made on features that will be found in release 8.0: this includes significant improvements to citation generation and progress on raising the minimum PHP version to 7.3.

Along with progress on technical developments, the volunteers in the VuFind Community Planning Group have made significant progress on drafting a formal VuFind Governance Document; a draft will be shared for broader public comment at the February, 2021 Community Call. If you are unable to attend that meeting, watch for the minutes to find a link to the document.

===== Recently Completed / Resolved Issues =====

The following items were completed in the past month:

  * Add support for clearing AJAX account cache based on status information: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1804|#1804]]
  * Add support for record "versions" display: [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-120|VUFIND-120]] / [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1581|#1581]]
  * Add transEscAttr view helper and use it in templates: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1820|#1820]]
  * Adjust timeouts in tool configurations: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1822|#1822]]
  * Configurable top facet override of alphabetical sort for limits: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1807|#1807]]
  * DEB package: allow compatibility with more Java packages: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1760|#1760]]
  * Explicitly initialize OpenURL embedding in ajax-loaded record tabs: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1819|#1819]]
  * FeedbackForms: require one checkbox option to be selected: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1811|#1811]], [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1814|#1814]], [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1824|#1824]]
  * Fix breadcrumbs when there's no last search in memory: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1829|#1829]]
  * Fix JDK8 compatibility in WorkKeys generation: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1825|#1825]]
  * Fix undocumented behavior in MarcAdvancedTrait::getConsortialIDs: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1826|#1826]]
  * FOLIO: note may not exist: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/2281|#2281]]
  * FOLIO: use effectiveLocationId from item record instead of permanantLocationId from holding: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1669|#1669]], [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1830|#1830]]
  * Improve PHP8 compatibility: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1828|#1828]]
  * Improve/update citation generation: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1779|#1779]]
  * Improved translations: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1816|#1816]]
  * KohaRest: Add support for course reserves: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1817|#1817]]
  * Makes MARC record Solr field configurable: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1813|#1813]]
  * More XCNCIP2 ILS driver improvements: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1715|#1715]]
  * Problem with Summon (turned out to be a local configuration problem, not a core bug): [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-1462|VUFIND-1462]]
  * Refactor expiration commands for improved performance: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1815|#1815]]
  * Refer to $checkboxFilters and $filterList via $this: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1818|#1818]]
  * Shibboleth improvements: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1617|#1617]]
  * Update dependencies for release 7.1: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1827|#1827]]
  * Upgrade php-cs-fixer; use more null coalescing: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1832|#1832]]

This older ticket was resolved because existing tools can solve the underlying need:

  * Export MARC records from Solr: [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-487|VUFIND-487]]

This item was closed due to inactivity (its original intended purpose was unclear, and the creator did not respond to questions):

  * Warning: Use of undefined constant STDIN - assumed 'STDIN': [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1748|#1748]]

Finally, [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1831|#1831]] was opened by accident and immediately closed.
===== New Issues =====

The following items were reported / begun in the past month, but are not yet completed:

==== Code in Progress ====

  * Donor bookplates: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1834|#1834]]
  * Improved translation for browse headings: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1812|#1812]]
  * Raise PHP version requirement to 7.3: [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-1440|VUFIND-1440]] / [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1833|#1833]]
  * Shibboleth support for library cards: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1823|#1823]]
  * Update breadcrumbs for the record and collection pages: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1821|#1821]]
  * XCNCIP ILS driver agency and patron id handling improvement: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1835|#1835]]

==== Issue Report / Discussion Only ====

  * Reduce SolrMarc binary resources in Git: [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-1463|VUFIND-1463]]
  * Update Memcache session handler to use \Memcached: [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-1464|VUFIND-1464]]

===== Active Issues =====

The following items saw significant progress / activity during the past month:

  * Composer 2 compatibility: [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-1454|VUFIND-1454]]
  * MySQL SSL support: [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1665|#1665]]
  * PHP 8 compatibility: [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-1457|VUFIND-1457]]
  * Review Javascript configuration options in theme.config.php: [[https://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-1437|VUFIND-1437]] / [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/pull/1799|#1799]]