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Allow multiple supported versions of same Custom Transformer/Format

Related products:FME Form
  • siennaatsafe
    siennaatsafe
  • danilo_fme
    danilo_fme
  • koenterralytics
    koenterralytics
  • K
    kim
K

As a user of FME Hub

I would like to create new versions of Custom Formats and Transformers whilst keeping older versions available

so that my desire to upgrade doesn't block users with older FME versions from using my work.


I have a Custom Format that I maintain in FME 2016. I'd like to make a nicer and shinier version in FME 2020. Doing this would mean anyone on a pre-2020 version of FME can no longer use the version on FME Hub. Ideally, I'd upload a new version, but keep the old one available.


I don't know how FME communicates and downloads from the Hub, but if that communication involves the FME version, the Hub could return the latest supported version of a Custom item.


Then on the Hub you could upload a number of different versions, or mark in the history which versions are to be sent out.


Of course, I'd love to see everyone on the latest and greatest version of FMe, but in practice that just isn't the case. I could also create two listings on the FME Hub, one for the old and one for the new version, but that seems like an ugly solution.

3 replies

tomf
Contributor
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  • tomfContributor
  • Contributor
  • February 3, 2021

When you first go to save a custom transformer in a new FME session you can choose to save it as a new version. The new version is stored in the same fmx file. FME should then only offer the user the latest version that is compatible with their FME version.

As I understand it if v1 was written in 2016 and v2 in 2020, both are available from HUB web page (see version dropdown) and from within FME 2016 only v1 would be available. Using FME 2020, v2 would be downloaded

siennaatsafe
Safer
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Custom Transformers

I'm wondering if you are running into this known issue for custom transformers: https://community.safe.com/s/article/Known-Issue-Hub-Deprecation

FME Desktop should be able to download older versions of custom transformers, even if they have been updated to the newest version. However, between 2019 - 2021.0, this wasn't working (we believe this behaviour started in 2019 but it could be earlier). 

For instance, in FME Desktop 2018, I can download and install version 3 of the ArcGISOnlineServiceAreaCalculator, but I wouldn't have access to version 4.

So hopefully, we already have the functionality you are looking for.

 

Custom Formats

However, since Custom Formats don't the same versioning capacity as transformers, it is expected that once you update the format, older versions wouldn't have access. 

K
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  • kim
  • Author
  • January 11, 2022

As a bit of additional information: the problematic issue is the Custom Transformer being dependant on the Custom Format.

 

As a summary about versioning:

  • Versioning on Custom Transformers on FME Hub works
    • But between 2019-2021 FME will not see older versions, so if a 2021 version is made any older versions version will not be downloaded in say FME 2020.
    • Older versions can still be downloaded on the FME Hub itself.
  • Versioning on Custom Formats does not work.

 

Currently debating two options:

  • New version with a new name. Old Format will be available as usual.
  • Wrap the Format logic in a Custom Transformer going forward. Allows versioning, feels slightly less accessible than a Format.

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