===========
URL Brevity
===========
Another short-URL generator, based on `Hashids`_ and a reduced alphabet.
.. image:: https://travis-ci.org/kezabelle/django-urlbrevity.svg?branch=master
:target: https://travis-ci.org/kezabelle/django-urlbrevity
Why a reduced alphabet?
-----------------------
Because if you're going to bother with a short URL, it needs to be readable
and easily audible, without constantly double-checking you've not misread or
misheard.
Why `Hashids`_
--------------
Because assuming your model primary keys are integers, it's a dirt simple way
of encoding a tuple in a reasonably small space. One could also just use
``django.utils.http.int_to_base36`` of course.
Usage
-----
in your settings module::
INSTALLED_APPS = (
# ...
'urlbrevity',
# ...
)
in your root urlconf::
from django.conf.urls import patterns, url, include
import urlbrevity
urlpatterns = patterns("",
# ...
url(r'redirect/', include(urlbrevity.redirects)),
# Or if you don't want to redirect ...
url(r'no_redirect/', include(urlbrevity.no_redirects)),
# ...
)
.. note:: You obviously don't have to use `redirect` and `no_redirect` as the
url prefixes, and you should only use one or the other, really.
in your templates::
{% load urlbrevity %}
<a href="{% url 'urlbrevity:short' my_model_instance|hashid %}">...</a>
or ...
<a href="{{ my_model_instance|short_url }}">
in your python::
import urlbrevity
obj = MyModel.objects.get(pk='...')
encoded = urlbrevity.encode_model_instance(obj=obj)
value = encoded.hash
url = reverse('urlbrevity:short', kwargs={'encoded_value': value})
# or ...
url2 = urlbrevity.short_url(obj)
# to re-inflate ...
obj_again = urlbrevity.decode_model_instance(value)
Why internal redirects?
-----------------------
Because mobile is an important space, and even on 3G+ connections, redirects
are another round-trip that may fail or be slow. Easier to just render the
intended output if possible.
.. note:: You can use 301 (permanent) redirects if you prefer, by including
``urlbrevity.redirects`` instead of ``urlbrevity.no_redirects``, you
can also stitch together your own stuff based on the existing
views and named URLconfs.
.. _Hashids: http://hashids.org/python/
----
License
-------
``django-urlbrevity`` is available under the terms of the
Simplified BSD License (alternatively known as the FreeBSD License, or
the 2-clause License)::
Copyright (c) 2014, Keryn Knight
All rights reserved.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND
ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR
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(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
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