Suggestion: Alternative for "PHP code in tables"

  • Resolved It’s Thomas!

    (@itsthomas)


    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Tobias,

    do you know, that one reason why Tablepress is so extremely helpful to me, is that I not only use it for managing tables but also as a shortcode manager with the help of your “Single Cell Content Shortcode” extension 🙂

    Now lately, I wanted to also use PHP code this way, using not only your “Single Cell Content Shortcode” but also your “PHP code in table cells” extension. It does not seem to work, probably because the eval() is not enabled (have just written a support email to my host concerning this).

    Now I wonder: Wouldn’t it be quite easy for a professional like you to create an extension for using PHP code in table cells in a safer way than one where eval() has to be enabled? 😉

    Thanks a lot

    Thomas

    https://wordpress.org/plugins/tablepress/

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Plugin Author Tobias Bäthge

    (@tobiasbg)

    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Thomas,

    thanks for your post, and sorry for the trouble.

    No, sorry, I don’t see chances for this. Not using eval() would either require writing a new PHP parser – in PHP – or doing security checks on that PHP code. That’s not going to happen 🙂

    Also, I’d actually recommend not using the PHP in tables Extension (i.e. the approach in general). Instead, if one has to use PHP code in tables, it’s usually better to put that code into a small custom plugin that basically turns the PHP into your own custom Shortcode. Then, you could simply use that Shortcode in the table cells, where you have previously used PHP directly.

    Regards,
    Tobias

    Thread Starter It’s Thomas!

    (@itsthomas)

    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Tobias,

    thanks for getting back so quickly! As a non-PHP guy, I thought my idea would be easy-peasy to do but now I know better.

    Would you mind explaining to me why it would be better to use one of those PHP execute plugins rather than your extension? On my site, I am not just the only admin but the only backend-user in general – so security with your extension should be no more of an issue than with said PHP execute plugins.

    Thanks a lot

    Thomas

    Plugin Author Tobias Bäthge

    (@tobiasbg)

    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hi,

    To clarify: I did not mean to use one of those PHP execute plugins! Those suffer from the same problems, of having to use eval()!
    What I meant is to put your PHP code into your own small plugin, where you then define a Shortcode around it, which you insert into the table.

    Of course, if you are the only admin/user on your site, the risk of evaluating PHP in tables is lower than as if there were other users as well. One drawback that remains is that a hacker who would get your password would also be able to use PHP directly (but he can also do that if the plugin or theme editors are usable on your site).

    Regards,
    Tobias

    Thread Starter It’s Thomas!

    (@itsthomas)

    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Tobias,

    oopps – seems like I didn’t read your post carefully enough…. The idea that these PHP execute plugins make use of eval() also, came to my mind when I tried some of these plugins today and one of them gave me an eval() related PHP error….

    I have now settled for one of those PHP execute plugins (which works) because using tablepress + PHP extension + single cell content extension unfortunately would not.

    Thanks for your advice in this issue!

    Thomas

    Plugin Author Tobias Bäthge

    (@tobiasbg)

    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hi,

    no problem, you are very welcome! Good to hear that you found a solution!

    Best wishes,
    Tobias

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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