24 October 2011

Structure 1.3 introduces the Structure API for integration with other plugins, and contains important performance improvements a number of minor updates.

Download the Latest Version
Structure on Plugin Exchange

Version Highlights

  • Structure API that allows other plugins and remote applications to work with Structure.
  • Big performance improvements for structures with many issues.
  • Compatibility with the latest JIRA 4.4.3 and GreenHopper 5.8 releases.

Structure Backup is strongly recommended before the upgrade.

Also, after upgrade you may need to re-create GreenHopper synchronizer configurations (if using GreenHopper 5.8 or later) and revisit Sub-tasks synchronizer configurations - please read below.

Changes in Detail

Structure API

Structure API is the biggest thing that we've worked on since version 0.4, and as of Structure version 1.3 (API versions 1.0.0 and 2.0.0), it's a big window into the the structure data that lets other JIRA plugins and remote applications integrate with structure, read or update hierarchical issue lists and extend Structure functionality.

If you are a developer, take a look at our Structure Developer's Guide.

Performance Improvements

We're constantly improving performance of our plugin, which is especially important if you have lots of issues in a single structure. In this version, we've made three different performance improvements which can lower down the load time of a large structure three to ten times, depending on the circumstances.

Support for GreenHopper 5.8

GreenHopper 5.8 and 5.8.1, released last week, replaced the old Rank field with new Global Rank field. Now the Global Rank in GreenHopper allows to prioritize issues across multiple projects on the Rapid Board.

Updated version of the GreenHopper synchronizer in Structure 1.3 supports the new Global Rank too, allowing you to select multiple projects in configuration.

Documentation: JIRA Agile (GreenHopper) Synchronizer

Sub-tasks Synchronizer Changes

Sub-tasks synchronizer logic has been made less confusing. Now when the synchronizer "sees" a sub-task at a wrong position in the structure, it will move it to the right position under its parent task. (The synchronizer used to move a sub-task only if it wasn't in the structure or was at the top level, but not under another parent issue.)

Documentation: Sub-Tasks Synchronizer

Other Improvements and Notable Bugs Fixed

Supported JIRA Versions

This version of Structure supports JIRA 4.2 — 4.4.x. Note that there are separate downloadable files for JIRA 4.4.x, 4.3.x and 4.2.x.

Installation

The plugin may be installed from the Plugin Exchange or from the Administration | Plugins menu. Further information is available in the Administrator's Guide.

Upgrading from a Previous Version

Migrating to version 1.3 from an earlier version involves automatic upgrade of the underlying database data, so it's a good idea to make database backup. If you decide to downgrade back to 1.2 after upgrade, you'll need to clear the database and restore from backup because 1.2 will likely not be able to work with the upgraded database.

  1. Create Structure database backup
  2. Upgrade the plugin from UPM or manually
  3. When the plugin has been upgraded, verify the basic functionality works. You may need to fully refresh you browser page with Ctrl+Reload or Alt+Reload.
  4. Open Manage Structure page and go over structures that have the following synchronizers installed:
    1. GreenHopper synchronizer: only important if you have upgraded to GreenHopper 5.8. Check if you see Rank Field: ? in the synchronizer configuration – this synchronizer should be deleted and installed again, because GreenHopper has changed the Ranking field.
    2. SubTasks synchronizer: make sure you're ok with the change in the synchronizer logic explained above (always forcing sub-tasks to be under their parent). If not, disable the synchronizer and run Resync manually when needed.

Detailed Change List

Our public JIRA contains the full list of issues resolved in Structure version 1.3.