Field Types

Overview

Field is the smallest unit for storing data in the content structure. Each Field can store data of a specific kind, defined by a Field Type.

To read more about the content structure in eZ, see Fundamental concepts.

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Fundamental concepts

Content Types

Field Type Structure

The characteristics of a Field are determined by its Field Type. In eZ, a Field is made up of the following elements:

• Name - stores a user-friendly name that describes the Field:
  • The name of a Field can consist of letters, digits, spaces and special characters.
  • The maximum length is 255 characters.
  • If a blank name is provided, eZ automatically generates a unique name for the Field.

Example: The title of the Article

• Identifier - stores the Name in the system. The internal use requires:
  • no more than 50 characters.
  • no special characters.
  • underscore permitted.

Example: article_title

• Description - gives details about the Field

Example: A brief description of the Article

• Generic controls - provides a set of common properties for all Field Types. These controls are the same for each Field, regardless of its Field Type. There are following generic controls available by default in the system:
  • Required
  • Searchable
  • Translatable
  • Field Group
• Field Type specific controls - provide a unique set of properties for each Field Type structure. Depending of those properties, you will have different configurations and then different behaviors.

Take the “Content relation (multiple)” Field Type: you can decide to have relation only to Content items of a specific Content Type or to Content items of any Content Type.

Basically, all Field Types have different properties.

Preset Field Types

Below are listed the preset Field Types existing in every installation, as well as their specific controls.