CONTENTdm-Catcher is a python helper script for interacting with the CONTENTdm Catcher SOAP service.

CONTENTdm-Catcher allows all primary functions of the Catcher service, including add, edit, and delete functions and will automatically check metadata against controlled vocabularies.

Run python -m pip install -r requirements.txt from the project folder to install dependencies.

Rename config-dist.py to config.py and update contents with the following:

• url : CONTENTdm Server URL (locate at yourwebsite/utils/diagnostics) -- include the port number
• username : CONTENTdm username
• password : CONTENTdm password
• license : CONTENTdm License Code, locaed in CONTENTdm Administration > Server > About

cdm-catcher can be used from the command line by typing python cdmcatcher.py [general arguments] [action] [action arguments] using the following argument details.

Output a list of collections from a CONTENTdm Server. Use python cdmcatcher.py catalog.

Output the collection fields and their attributes (XML). Use python cdmcatcher.py collection [alias].

Output controlled vocabulary terms for indicated collection and field (XML). Use python cdmcatcher.py terms [alias] [field].

Add records to collection. Use python cdmcatcher.py add [alias] [filepath] [optional arguments].

Delete records from collection. Use python cdmcatcher.py delete [alias] [filepath].

Edit metadata for records currently existing in a collection. Use python cdmcatcher.py edit [alias] [filepath] [optional arguments].

Add/delete/edit calls require passing XML or JSON files to CONTENTdm-Catcher for processing.

• Metadata can consist of any number of records and (except for Delete action) any number of fields. Delete actions should only consist of the 'dmrecord' field.
• Catcher will not create new fields on the fly, fields must map to field nicknames for your collection.
• Add actions require the 'title' field, Edit and Delete actions require 'dmrecord'.
• Fields with controlled vocabularies may include multiple terms separated by semicolons (i.e. 'Animals; Animal behavior').
• Except for required fields (above), it is not necessary to include empty fields or fields not currently being edited.

[
  {
    "dmrecord": "12",
    "title": "Cat",
    "subjec": "Animals",
    "field1" : "test content 1",
    "field2" : "test content 2"
  },
  {
    "dmrecord": "13",
    "title": "Dog",
    "subjec": "Animals; Animal behavior",
    "field1" : "test content 1",
    "field2" : "test content 2"
  }
]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<metadata>
  <record>
    <dmrecord>12</dmrecord>
    <title>Cat</title>
    <subjec>Animals</subjec>
    <field1>test content 1</field1>
    <field2>test content 2</field2>
  </record>
  <record>
    <dmrecord>13</dmrecord>
    <title>Dog</title>
    <subjec>Animals; Animal behavior</subjec>
    <field1>test content 1</field1>
    <field2>test content 2</field2>
  </record>
</metadata>

• When editing a record that includes a controlled vocabulary field (whether the field in question is being edited or not) and has either an apostrophe (&) or single-quote (') in the controlled vocabulary terms for that field, the edit will claim success but will not actually edit the record. Until the bug is fixed in Catcher, you must turn off Controlled Vocabulary for the field(s) in question until edits are completed.
• Ensure valid XML when submitting to Catcher--invalid XML will throw parsing errors. Numerous online validators (such as https://www.xmlvalidation.com/) exist to test your file before submitting.
• When exporting from CONTENTdm, select the Combine option for repeating and controlled vocabulary fields.
• When updating Page AND Item level content, be sure to update Page level and index before updating item level content.
• Use Nicknames when referring to fields in add or edit actions (i.e. "subjec" instead of "subject"). Use the Collection action to review nicknames for a collection.

• Provide ability to use -v flag with no other arguments
• Add comments to codebase for ease of maintenance