URL Linking to individual nodes

[knolleary]

The editor currently updates the fragment part of a url with the id of the flow open the editor. The intention was always to extend this functionality and this design note sets out what we can do next with it.

There are two parts to consider:

• what to do when a url with a fragment is opened
• how the fragment should be updated whilst using the editor

Current behaviour

When opening the editor with a fragment of #flow/abcde it will show that flow (or subflow).

Whilst using the editor, the fragment is updated to show the current flow/subflow.

New behaviours

Support other object types in the fragment when opening the editor. Each will cause that object to be revealed in the editor:

• #node/abcde
• #group/abcde
• #junction/abcde (not sure how useful this one is... but may as well be consistent)

If the fragment ends with /edit, not only will the object be revealed, but its edit dialog will be opened (this will apply to #flow/... as well).

The outstanding question is how the fragment then gets updated whilst using the editor. I'm not sure updating it to reflect the current selection is a good idea or not. We could add a context-menu action to 'copy link to object' that saves the generated URL to the clipboard.

[knolleary]

Shipped in 3.1