Simulating a directory tree in a DCT - possible?

System

Hi DevNetters!

I'm trying to develop a DCT to allow a user to define a directory tree.

At first glance, it looked like a good fit: define a single root directory with a replicant of level one directories which in turn contains a replicant of level 2 directories, etc. I didn't suppose I could make it dynamic to support an infinite number of levels, so I chose 5 levels as an arbitrary limit.

Anyhow, when I looked at the form I'd created, it wasn't very user friendly. By default, I get an input field for all 5 levels, even though only the root level is required. Sure, I could fill it out and get the info I wanted, but it would be messy.

So here are a couple of questions:
- is there a way to make a replicant field show up via a callout button? For instance, if I'm on a level one directory, I'd like to have a button next to it that makes the level two directory field show up. In this way, I could build all of the level one directories and then go expand the ones I want to add the level twos, etc..
- any thoughts on making it visually indented so that the user would be able to look at their input and feel that it's a directory tree they're working on?

I'm working in Solais on 5.5.2, but have a dev server with 6.1 installed - so I can try this in either.

All help is appreciated. Thanks!

Wally Box
Nike, Inc.

iwovGraduate

- is there a way to make a replicant field show up via a callout button?

If I understand what you are asking, the problem you are having is that by default you are getting atleast one field in each (level of) replicant. In otherwords, if you had a all you replicants (possibly except the first one) collapsed, that might solve your problem ?

any thoughts on making it visually indented ...

The L&F of your DCT looks quite different in 5.x and 6.x. I would suggest you test it in both, and if you are planning to upgrade, don't spend too much effort in customizing the looks in 5.x.