Extension:Graphical Category Browser

Why is this extension necessary?
Showing the interconnection of categories as a graph enhances navigatibility of the site.


 * The Graph data structure extension creates XML which might be used for offline creation of a graph of all categories and creates a graphs on the fly of direct neighbours on category pages using Graphviz. It relies on the graphviz (Graphviz (IndyGreg) extension (see also Graphviz Extension on CaseWiki).

Unfortunately the Graphviz extension does not support MS Windows. Furthermore it does not provide cache control to ensure that HTML s and PNG images stay in synch.

What this extension does

 * A special page "Graphical Categories Browser" is added.
 * A hook is supplied to the category pages to add a graph on top.

Images are file cached. Cache control to match html and image output is supplied.

Installation

 * Install Graphviz - Graph Visualization Software.
 * Copy script below to extensions.
 * Correct $xyDotPath and $xyCategoriesCache to Your needs.
 * Add the following line to LocalSettings.php

Category Page
Change the hook for the category page to show all up- and downstream connected categories.

Special Page Category Errors
Show errors in categories:
 * cycles