spec.json description

The spec.json file in an extension defines the additions and deletions the extension makes to the default IBM® Cognos® Analytics user interface. The structure and contents of this file are explained here.

The structure and contents that are described here are provisional. They can change in future releases of Cognos Analytics. These changes may not be backward compatible.

name
Specifies the name of the extension. The name can contain alphanumeric characters, underscores (_), and spaces ( ).
schemaVersion
Specifies a numeric value for the schema version. Can be 1.0 or 2.0. The default value is 1.0.
extensions
Contains an array of perspective objects.
perspective
Specifies the view that is being extended. The options are the following.
common
Applies to all views.
<view_name>
Applies to the <view_name> view, which can be a built-in view (home, authoring, dashboard, or modeller) or an uploaded view.
type
If the extension is a view, specifies the type. The possible values are login for a sign-in view and home for a home view. This element is only used in schema version 2.0. If it is omitted and schema version 2.0 is specified, then the view is not included in the list of possible default home or sign-in views.
lensable
If false, this view is not included in the list of views for which features can be omitted. For more information, see Customizing roles.

The default value is true.

comment
An optional comment.
features
Contains an array of feature groupings.
id
Specifies the unique identifier of the feature.
toolItems
Contains an array of user interface elements that are being added.
id
The unique identifier for the new user interface element.
containerId
Specifies the placement of the user interface element.

  • If the user interface element is a menu or a button, the element is located in the application or navigation bars as shown in the following graphic.

    The regiosn of a view where uer interface items can be placed.

    The values of containerId corresponding to the button or menu placement are shown in the following list.

    1. com.ibm.bi.glass.navbarLeadingGroup
    2. com.ibm.bi.glass.navbarTrailingGroup
    3. com.ibm.bi.glass.appbarLeadingGroup
    4. com.ibm.bi.glass.appbarCenterGroup
    5. com.ibm.bi.glass.appbarTrailingGroup

  • If the user interface element is a menu item, the value of containerId is the id of the menu that contains the menu item.

label
Specifies the text label for the user interface element. This text cannot be localized.
type
Specifies the user interface element type. The possible values are shown here.
  • Button
  • Menu
  • MenuItem
icon
Specifies the user interface element image to be displayed. The path is relative to the image file in the extension zip archive.
weight
Specifies a numeric value that determines the placement of the user interface element in the container. A higher value moves up the element in the container.
push
Specifies whether when the button is pressed a second time, the action of the first press is undone. For example, opening and then closing a folder. The value can be true or false. The value must be true for a button that opens a folder.
coachMark
Specifies a coach mark.
title
Specifies the title of the coach mark.
contents
Specifies the contents of the coach mark.
actionController
Specifies the action to be taken when the user interface element is clicked. The available actions are listed here.
bi/glass/api/IFrameOpener
Opens a web page.
bi/glass/api/ReportOpener
Opens a particular report.
bi/glass/api/DashboardOpener
Opens a particular dashboard.
bi/glass/api/FolderOpener
Opens a particular folder.
v1/ext/<name>/js/controllers/controller_name
Runs the custom controller that is packaged in the extension. The controller is the file js/controllers/controller_name.js.
options
Contains an array of options to pass to the action controller. The options vary depending on which action controller is used. For the options used by the built-in action controllers, see Using built-in action controllers.
collectionItems
Contains an array of user interface elements that are being added.
containerId
Specifies where the user interface element is located.
id
Specifies the unique identifier of the user interface element.
content
Contains definitions for a view.
type
Contains a link to the JavaScript file to run when this view is invoked.
options
Contains parameters to be passed to the JavaScript file.
cssStyles
Contains an array of links to .css files to be used for this view.
excludeFeatures
Contains an array of ids of user interface features to exclude. This feature cannot be applied to the common view.
excludeItems
Contains an array of ids of user interface items to exclude. This feature cannot be applied to the common view.