README

Schema-driven catalogues for Contao 5.3++.

This bundle provides:

• Backend catalogue containers (similar to "archives")
• Backend records with schema-defined virtual fields stored as JSON
• Optional nested record items (rows/children)
• Frontend list and reader modules
• Filtering via an indexed taxonomy column
• Prev/next navigation in the reader (within the current filter context)
• tl_news-like language linking via languageMain

The bundle is designed as a lightweight alternative to data-driven extensions, while keeping the editing experience close to Contao and DCA conventions.

Package and namespaces

• Composer package: dalley-it/contao-catalogue
• PHP namespace: DalleyIt\ContaoCatalogue\...
• Bundle class: DalleyIt\ContaoCatalogue\DaitContaoCatalogBundle
• Database tables: dait_cc_*

Database tables

• dait_cc_catalogue (catalogue container)
• dait_cc_record (records)
  • data_json stores schema fields
  • idx_taxonomy is used for filtering (single taxonomy value)
  • idx_relation_id is a generic relation pointer (optional)
• dait_cc_record_item (optional nested items for a record; supports nesting via parent_id)
• dait_cc_dictionary and dait_cc_dictionary_item (backend-managed option lists)

Schemas

Schemas are PHP files located in:

<project>/contao/catalog_schemas/<schema_key>.php

A schema file returns an array with (typical) keys:

• fields: associative array of virtual field definitions
• indexes: mapping of database index columns to JSON paths
• itemTypes: optional definitions for dait_cc_record_item.type

An example schema is included:

contao/catalog_schemas/example.php

Dictionary-backed select fields

Use inputType => 'dictionarySelect' to populate a select widget from a dictionary.

You can define a dictionary key either:

• per field (dictionaryKey in the field definition), or
• per catalogue (dait_cc_catalogue.dictionaryKey) as a default.

Frontend modules

• dait_catalogue_list (template: mod_dait_catalogue_list)
  • Optional taxonomy filter via ?taxonomy=<CODE>
• dait_catalogue_reader (template: mod_dait_catalogue_reader)
  • Reader parameter: ?item=<alias|id>
  • Prev/next navigation respects the current taxonomy filter

Installation

Install via Composer:

composer require dalley-it/contao-catalogue

Run the database update in Contao Manager / Install Tool.

Configuration workflow (recommended)

1. Create a dictionary (optional) to hold taxonomy values.
2. Create a catalogue (dait_cc_catalogue) and set:
   • schema_key
   • jumpTo (reader page)
   • dictionaryKey (optional, for taxonomy select options)
3. Add records to the catalogue.
4. Place dait_catalogue_list on the list page and dait_catalogue_reader on the reader page.

Extending

This bundle intentionally keeps the indexing model minimal (idx_taxonomy, idx_relation_id). If you need additional filterable fields, extend the record table with more index columns and map them via indexes in your schema.