Storing data against entities and extensions | Online Help | Zoho Projects

Storing data against entities and extensions

Data Storage: Storing data against entities and extensions

While you build an extension for Zoho Projects, you might have to store the extension's data somewhere. We use key-value pairs to store such data against entities and extensions. Hence, the need for a traditional database like RDBMS, where the data will be stored in rows and columns, is eliminated. 

Entity Properties

What is a key-value pair?

'Key-value' is a format in which data can be stored. You can store the property or an attribute of an entity or an extension in a key-value pair.  The key will be a unique string and the value will be a JSON object. Data like session information, user profiles, and preferences can be stored as key-value pairs. You can store data against the entities we support and the extensions you develop for Zoho Projects.

Storing data against an entity

Zoho Projects supports the Project, Task and Issue entities. You will be able to store project-specific, task-specific or issue-specific data against their respective entities. The key will be a unique string and the data will be a JSON object that has to be identified with the key in the future. You can store, retrieve, update, and delete the data that you store against an entity using the following methods respectively.

If the current user has only READ access, they will be able to only retrieve the data i.e.retrieve() can only be invoked. If they have EDIT access, the other functions like 'store()', 'update()', and 'remove()' can also be invoked.

entity.store

Stores data against an entity.


var value = [
{"id" : "1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu","name" : "Sample.png"}
];
var count = 1;
zohoprojects.entity.store("6573492", value, count).then(function(response)
/* Output
{
  "properties": [
    {
      "key": "6573492",
      "value": "[{\"id\":\"1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu\",\"name\":\"sample.png\"}]",
      "count" : 1,
      "id": 1587134426
    }
  ]
}
*/
); 

Arguments
Argument name Data type Description
key string

Unique string used to identify the entity property. Only this key should be used to retrieve the data later.

Note: Max length: <200> TBD

value JSONObject Property / Data that has to be stored against the entity.
count Integer Number of occurrences stored against the entity.

entity.retrieve

Retrieves the data stored against an entity. The argument of this method should be the key that was used when the same data was stored.


zohoprojects.entity.retrieve("6573492").then(function(response)
/*Output
{
  "properties": [
    {
      "key": "6573492",
      "value": "[{\"id\":\"1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu\",\"name\":\"update.png\"}]",
      "id": 1587134426,
      "count: 1
    }
  ]
}
*/
);

entity.update

Updates the data that's stored against an entity. The argument of this method is a JSON object with the following four predefined keys:
Argument name Data type Description
id string The ID that was generated as the output while storing the current key against the entity using the entity.store() method.
key string The new key has to be mapped against the entity. You can also choose to retain the old/current key.
value JSON Object The data or property that has to be updated against the entity.
count Integer Number of occurrences updated against the entity.

var valueObj = [
{"id" : "1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu","name" : "Sample_New.png"}
];
zohoprojects.entity.update({id:"1587134426",key:"6573492",value:valueObj,count:2}).then(function(response)
/*Output
{
  "properties": [
    {
      "key": "6573492",
      "value": "[{\"id\":\"1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu\",\"name\":\"Sample_New.png\"}]",
      "id": 1587134426,
      "count" : 2
    }
  ]
}
*/
);

entity.remove

Deletes the data that's stored against a specific entity. The argument of this method is the ID that was generated as the output when the same data was stored using the 'entity.store()' method.


zohoprojects.entity.remove(1587134426).then(function(response)
/* Output
{
  "status": "success"
}
*/
);

Limitations of entity properties

  • The value stored against a key should not exceed 50KB at once.
  • This method cannot be invoked for the 'app_settings', 'attachment_picker', 'blueprint_during', and 'top_band' locations.
  • The value stored in an entity property should be in a valid JSON format.
  • Concurrent edits on an entity property don't ensure consistency. i.e, when two different users make changes to the same entity property at the same time, only the latest change will be saved and the former will be lost/overridden.

Extension property

What is an extension property?

It is a key-value pair that's stored against the extension itself. However, the data stored against an extension will be lost if the extension is uninstalled from the product. Whereas, the data stored against an entity will be retained even if the extension is uninstalled because only the extension-specific information gets deleted and the entity-specific data will still be available for the other extensions to access.

app.store

Stores data against an extension. 


var value = [
{"id" : "1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu","name" : "Sample.png"}
];
zohoprojects.app.store("6573492", value).then(function(response)
/* Output
{
  "properties": [
    {
      "key": "6573492",
      "value": "[{\"id\":\"1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu\",\"name\":\"sample.png\"}]",
      "id": 1587134426
    }
  ]
}
*/
);


Arguments
Argument name Data type Description
key string Unique string used to identify the extension property.
value JSONObject Property/Data that has to be stored against the extension.

app.retrieve

Retrieves the data stored against the extension. The argument of this method should be the key that was used when the same was stored. Data could be retrieved only when this method is invoked from the extension against which it is stored. When the extension is uninstalled, the data will be deleted.


zohoprojects.app.retrieve("6573492").then(function(response)
/*Output
{
  "properties": [
    {
      "key": "6573492",
      "value": "[{\"id\":\"1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu\",\"name\":\"update.png\"}]",
      "id": 1587134426
    }
  ]
}
*/
);

app.update

Updates the data that's stored against an extension. The argument of this method is a JSON object with the following predefined keys:
Argument name Data type Description
id string The ID that was generated as the output while storing the current key against the extension using the app.store() method.
key string The new key that has to be mapped against the extension. You can also choose to retain the old/current key.
value JSON Object The data or property that has to be updated against the extension.

var valueObj = [
{"id" : "1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu","name" : "Sample_New.png"}
];
zohoprojects.app.update({id:"1587134426",key:"6573492",value:valueObj}).then(function(response)
/*Output
{
  "properties": [
    {
      "key": "6573492",
      "value": "[{\"id\":\"1-QabBt69U8myXYRDVU-1YiCo2k-JWRfu\",\"name\":\"Sample_New.png\"}]",
      "id": 1587134426
    }
  ]
}
*/
);

app.remove

Deletes the data that's stored against a specific extension. The argument of this method is the ID that was generated as the output when the same data was stored using the app.store() method.


zohoprojects.app.remove(1587134426).then(function(response)
/* Output
{
  "status": "success"
}
*/
);

Limitations of extension properties

  • The value stored against a key should not exceed 50KB at once.
  • A maximum of 100 key-value pairs only can be stored per extension. 
  • The value stored in an extension property should be in a valid JSON format.
  • Concurrent edits on an extension property don't ensure consistency. i.e, when two different users make changes to the same extension property at the same time, only the latest change will be saved and the former will be lost/overridden.
You can store, retrieve, update, and delete the data that you store against an extension using the following methods respectively.

    Zoho CRM Training Programs

    Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

    Zoho CRM Training
      Redefine the way you work
      with Zoho Workplace

        Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

        If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

        Zoho CRM Training

          Create, share, and deliver

          beautiful slides from anywhere.

          Get Started Now


            Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

            BOOK A SESSION











                                        You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                            Manage your brands on social media

                                              Zoho Desk Resources

                                              • Desk Community Learning Series


                                              • Digest


                                              • Functions


                                              • Meetups


                                              • Kbase


                                              • Resources


                                              • Glossary


                                              • Desk Marketplace


                                              • MVP Corner


                                              • Word of the Day


                                                Zoho Marketing Automation

                                                  Zoho Sheet Resources

                                                   

                                                      Zoho Forms Resources


                                                        Secure your business
                                                        communication with Zoho Mail


                                                        Mail on the move with
                                                        Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                          Stay on top of your schedule
                                                          at all times


                                                          Carry your calendar with you
                                                          Anytime, anywhere




                                                                Zoho Sign Resources

                                                                  Sign, Paperless!

                                                                  Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                                  Get Started Now




                                                                          Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                                  Zoho DataPrep Resources



                                                                                    Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                                    Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                    REGISTER NOW


                                                                                      Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                      Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                      Get Started Now









                                                                                                          • Related Articles

                                                                                                          • Create extensions using cloud editor

                                                                                                            Zoho Projects lets you build extensions using a cloud editor eliminating pre-setup and managing the entire development process online. Here is a webinar to help you navigate through the cloud editor. Overview Zoho Marketplace is an online store where ...
                                                                                                          • Data Administration

                                                                                                            Check your storage details, import data from other services, or take backup of your portal data. You can view the audit log of all portal activities. Storage Details Click in the upper-right corner of the top navigation band. Navigate to Data ...
                                                                                                          • Data Administration in Zoho Projects - Concept

                                                                                                            Data Administration in Zoho Projects refers to the settings related to storage, data import, data backup and Audit log within the portal. Consider a scenario where you are a project manager looking to transition from your current project management ...
                                                                                                          • HIPAA Compliance in Zoho Projects

                                                                                                            INTRODUCTION The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (including the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, Breach notification Rule, and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) ("HIPAA"), requires Covered Entities ...
                                                                                                          • Developer Space in Zoho Projects - Concept

                                                                                                            Developer Space in Zoho Projects allows developers to write code for interacting with Zoho Projects. It can customize and automate projects and its modules. Developers can also create extensions, access APIs and establish service hooks to trigger ...
                                                                                                            Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                            your workplace

                                                                                                              Resources

                                                                                                              Videos

                                                                                                              Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                              eBooks

                                                                                                              Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                              Webinars

                                                                                                              Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                              CRM Tips

                                                                                                              Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                                Zoho Show Resources