# Plugin meta spec

Streamtuner2 now uses a proper plugin description scheme. Note that this is completely unrelated to the streamtuner2 or channels API, or how plugins are actually initialized (pkgutil, imp, implib, pluginbase/plugnplay).

Basically the top-level comment block is scanned on initialization. It simply lists a few <kbd>key: values</kbd> for documentation and technical descriptors. It's basically a subset of YAML embedded in a script comment.

    # api: streamtuner2
    # type: feature
    # title: My Plugin
    # description: Lists all the things
    # version: 1.0
    # category: music
    # config: { name: myconf, value: 1, type: boolean, description: enable foo }
    #
    # And here goes a longer doc/comment.

The key names are case-insensitive of course. A few fields like <kbd>title:</kbd>, <kbd>description:</kbd> are required. Theoretically also the <kbd>api:</kbd> and <kbd>type:</kbd>. Though in ST2 they're currently just used for decorative purposes like the <kbd>category:</kbd> or <kbd>version:</kbd> field.

More interestingly the <kbd>config:</kbd> field can be used to describe plugin options. Default values will automatically end up in streamtuners `conf.*` dict, and are presented to users in the config dialog.

   * A <kbd>value:</kbd> represents the default.
   * The <kbd>type: select</kbd> can be used for dropdown boxes, with a `select:` <kbd>key=VAl|key2=VAL2..</kbd> attribute for options.
   * Other <kbd>type:</kbd> values are interpreted as strings, except <kbd>type: boolean</kbd> which becomes a checkbox.
   * A per-option <kbd>category:</kbd> attribute is ignored at the moment.
   * Params can be optionally quoted as in <kbd>value: "Desc, desc, desc."</kbd> in case they contain commas (which otherwise separate option attrs.)

And of course, the <kbd>config:</kbd> field can list multiple options. Simply make it multi-line (every plugin meta field can be) by indenting wrapped lines.


### Why?

This scheme is designed to be language-agnostic. It originated in PHP way back (see precisely to avoid a few common misdesigns.

  * Meta data does **not** belong *in code*.
    Because that incurs always importing them, even when they may go uninitialized/unused.

  * And it certainly should not reside in externalized ini/json data stores.
    **BECAUSE THAT'S HOW YOU GET ANTS!!!!**

  * Furthermore it encourages a *useful* documentation block atop.
    (Instead of the lazy-bummed Let's-add-the-license-blob-everywhere.)

The meta description block incidentally can also serve as packaging control scheme. The <kbd>pack:</kbd> descriptor is used by [fpm/xpm -s Which avoids manually doubling descriptions into separated setup.py/.cfg as the current Python packaging eco system does.
Note though, that the plugin description scheme is primarily intended for *in-application* feature/plugin management. Reducing packaging effort is just a by-effect.