Fixed loads of oversights

- Forgot I used IList instead of List
- Introduced the Tracer class. This allows writing text to the terminal in Debug mode, regardless of if a Debugger is attached.
Added version to 0.2.101 (0.1 outputting the original .txt file)
- Default config settings (if no file is found) is now set in GetConfig()

Honestly, this turned out to be bigger than I anticipated, but I'm enjoying myself.

.editorconfig

@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+# editorconfig.org
+
+# top-most EditorConfig file
+root = true
+
+# Default settings:
+# A newline ending every file
+# Use 4 spaces as indentation
+[*]
+charset                  = utf-8
+end_of_line              = crlf
+indent_style             = tab
+indent_size              = 4
+insert_final_newline     = false
+trim_trailing_whitespace = true
+dotnet_style_operator_placement_when_wrapping = beginning_of_line
+tab_width = 4
+
+# C# files
+[*.cs]
+# New line preferences
+csharp_new_line_before_open_brace = all
+csharp_new_line_before_else = true
+csharp_new_line_before_catch = true
+csharp_new_line_before_finally = true
+csharp_new_line_before_members_in_object_initializers = true
+csharp_new_line_before_members_in_anonymous_types = true
+csharp_new_line_between_query_expression_clauses = true
+
+# Indentation preferences
+csharp_indent_block_contents = true
+csharp_indent_braces = false
+csharp_indent_case_contents = true
+csharp_indent_switch_labels = true
+csharp_indent_labels = one_less_than_current
+
+# avoid this. unless absolutely necessary
+dotnet_style_qualification_for_field = false:suggestion
+dotnet_style_qualification_for_property = false:suggestion
+dotnet_style_qualification_for_method = false:suggestion
+dotnet_style_qualification_for_event = false:suggestion
+
+# only use var when it's obvious what the variable type is
+csharp_style_var_for_built_in_types = true:none
+csharp_style_var_when_type_is_apparent = true:none
+csharp_style_var_elsewhere = true:suggestion
+
+# use language keywords instead of BCL types
+dotnet_style_predefined_type_for_locals_parameters_members = true:suggestion
+dotnet_style_predefined_type_for_member_access = true:suggestion
+
+# Use UPPER_CASE for private or internal constant fields
+dotnet_naming_rule.constants_should_be_upper_case.severity = suggestion
+dotnet_naming_rule.constants_should_be_upper_case.symbols = constants
+dotnet_naming_rule.constants_should_be_upper_case.style = constant_style
+
+dotnet_naming_symbols.constants.applicable_kinds = field, local
+dotnet_naming_symbols.constants.required_modifiers = const
+
+dotnet_naming_style.constant_style.capitalization = all_upper
+
+# Comment this group and uncomment out the next group if you don't want _ prefixed fields.
+
+# internal and private fields should be _camel_case
+dotnet_naming_rule.camel_case_for_private_internal_fields.severity = suggestion
+dotnet_naming_rule.camel_case_for_private_internal_fields.symbols  = private_internal_fields
+dotnet_naming_rule.camel_case_for_private_internal_fields.style = camel_case_underscore_style
+
+dotnet_naming_symbols.private_internal_fields.applicable_kinds = field
+dotnet_naming_symbols.private_internal_fields.applicable_accessibilities = private, internal
+
+dotnet_naming_style.camel_case_underscore_style.required_prefix = _
+dotnet_naming_style.camel_case_underscore_style.capitalization = camel_case
+
+# Code style defaults
+dotnet_sort_system_directives_first = true
+csharp_preserve_single_line_blocks = true
+csharp_preserve_single_line_statements = false
+
+# Expression-level preferences
+dotnet_style_object_initializer = true:suggestion
+dotnet_style_collection_initializer = true:suggestion
+dotnet_style_explicit_tuple_names = true:suggestion
+dotnet_style_coalesce_expression = true:suggestion
+dotnet_style_null_propagation = true:suggestion
+
+# Expression-bodied members
+csharp_style_expression_bodied_methods = false:none
+csharp_style_expression_bodied_constructors = false:none
+csharp_style_expression_bodied_operators = false:none
+csharp_style_expression_bodied_properties = true:none
+csharp_style_expression_bodied_indexers = true:none
+csharp_style_expression_bodied_accessors = true:none
+
+# Pattern matching
+csharp_style_pattern_matching_over_is_with_cast_check = true:suggestion
+csharp_style_pattern_matching_over_as_with_null_check = true:suggestion
+csharp_style_inlined_variable_declaration = true:suggestion
+
+# Null checking preferences
+csharp_style_throw_expression = true:suggestion
+csharp_style_conditional_delegate_call = true:suggestion
+
+# Space preferences
+csharp_space_after_cast = false
+csharp_space_after_colon_in_inheritance_clause = true
+csharp_space_after_comma = true
+csharp_space_after_dot = false
+csharp_space_after_keywords_in_control_flow_statements = true
+csharp_space_after_semicolon_in_for_statement = true
+csharp_space_around_binary_operators = before_and_after
+csharp_space_before_colon_in_inheritance_clause = true
+csharp_space_before_comma = false
+csharp_space_before_dot = false
+csharp_space_before_open_square_brackets = false
+csharp_space_before_semicolon_in_for_statement = false
+csharp_space_between_empty_square_brackets = false
+csharp_space_between_method_call_empty_parameter_list_parentheses = false
+csharp_space_between_method_call_name_and_opening_parenthesis = false
+csharp_space_between_method_call_parameter_list_parentheses = false
+csharp_space_between_method_declaration_empty_parameter_list_parentheses = false
+csharp_space_between_method_declaration_name_and_open_parenthesis = false
+csharp_space_between_method_declaration_parameter_list_parentheses = false
+csharp_space_between_parentheses = false
+csharp_space_between_square_brackets = false
+csharp_using_directive_placement = outside_namespace:silent
+csharp_prefer_simple_using_statement = true:suggestion
+csharp_prefer_braces = when_multiline:silent

.gitignore

@@ -546,3 +546,4 @@ FodyWeavers.xsd
 .idea/**
 *.txt
 *.toml
+*.json

Config.cs

@@ -20,5 +20,6 @@ public class Config
     /// <summary>
     /// Gets or sets the list of available topics from the configuration file.
     /// </summary>
-    public TomlArray? Topics { get; set; }
+    public List<string> Topics { get; set; } = new List<string>();
+
 }

GlobalUsings.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+global using System.Diagnostics;
 global using Tomlyn;
 global using Tomlyn.Model;
 global using PublishTimes;
+global using System.Text.Json;
+global using System.Text.Json.Serialization;

Program.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,32 @@
 // I hereby waive this project under the public domain - see UNLICENSE for details.
 
+/// <summary>
+/// Retrieves configuration settings from a TOML file if it exists; otherwise, returns a default configuration.
+/// </summary>
+/// <param name="file">The name of the configuration file (defaults to "config.toml").</param>
+/// <returns>A Config object populated with values from the file, or a default Config instance if the file is not found.</returns>
+Config GetConfig(string file = "config.toml")
+{
+    // App directory is used for config file
+    var appDir = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory;
+    var cfgPath = Path.Combine(appDir, file);
+
+    if (File.Exists(cfgPath))
+    {
+        var toml = File.ReadAllText(cfgPath);
+        var model = Toml.ToModel<Config>(toml);
+
+        return model;
+    }
+    var defaultList = new[] { "Games", "Politics", "Research", "Technology" };
+    return new Config()
+    {
+        File = "schedule.json",
+        Path = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.MyDocuments),
+        Topics = defaultList.ToList()
+    };
+}
+
 /// <summary>
 /// Prompts the user with a yes/no question and returns their choice as a boolean value.
 /// </summary>
@@ -20,7 +47,7 @@ bool UserChoice(string choice)
 /// delay between each while avoiding time conflicts within a 30-minute window.
 /// </summary>
 /// <returns>A list of TimeSpan objects representing scheduled article times.</returns>
-List<TimeSpan> GenerateSchedule()
+List<TimeSpan> GenerateTimes()
 {
     var numberOfArticles = 5; // Define how many articles to schedule
     var startTime = new TimeSpan(9, 0, 0); // Starting time at 9:00 AM
@@ -90,7 +117,7 @@ string SelectTopics(List<string> topics)
     }
 
     var selection = string.Join(", ", userChoices.ToArray());
-    Console.WriteLine($"{Environment.NewLine}Select a Topic (Choose a Number){Environment.NewLine}{selection}");
+    Console.WriteLine($"{Environment.NewLine}Select a Number{Environment.NewLine}{selection}");
     var input = Console.ReadLine();
 
     // Attempt to parse a number.
@@ -114,7 +141,7 @@ string NewTopic(List<string> topics)
     if (UserChoice("Choose a Topic?"))
         newTopic = SelectTopics(topics);
     else
-        newTopic = "===";
+        newTopic = "Any";
 
     return newTopic;
 }
@@ -124,82 +151,109 @@ string NewTopic(List<string> topics)
 /// the directory, filename, and list of topics based on
 /// a configuration file if available.
 /// </summary>
-void ExportSchedule(List<String> storeSchedule)
+void ExportSchedule(List<String> storeTimes)
 {
     // App directory is used for config file
-    var appDir = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory;
+    var appDir = Tracer.AppDirectory;
     // File directory is used for file location set in config
     var outputDir = Directory.GetCurrentDirectory();
-    var defaultTopics = new[] { "Games", "Politics", "Research", "Technology" };
-    var outputFile = "schedule.txt";
     var cfgFile = "config.toml";
 
+    var topics = new List<string>();
     var cfgPath = Path.Combine(appDir, cfgFile);
-    var filePath = Path.Combine(outputDir, outputFile);
-    var appendSchedule = false;
-    var topic = "";
+    var config = GetConfig(cfgPath);
+    var outputFile = config.File;
+    var filePath = Path.Combine(outputDir, outputFile!);
+    var chosenTopic = "";
+    var times = new List<string>();
+
 
     // If the config file exists, read from that but don't assume anything is filled
     if (File.Exists(cfgPath))
     {
+        Tracer.WriteLine(cfgPath);
         var toml = File.ReadAllText(cfgPath);
-        var model = Toml.ToModel<Config>(toml);
-        var usrDir = model.Path;
-        var usrFileName = model.File;
-        var tomlList = string.Join(", ", model.Topics);
-        var usrList = tomlList.Split(',');
+        var usrDir = config.Path;
+        var usrFileName = config.File;
+        // Convert list into array
+        var list = config.Topics;
+        var tomlList = string.Join(", ", list);
+        var usrTopics = tomlList.Split(',');
 
-        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(usrDir))
-            outputDir = usrDir;
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(usrDir))
+            return;
 
-        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(usrFileName))
-            outputFile = usrFileName;
+        outputDir = usrDir;
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(usrFileName))
+            return;
+
+        outputFile = usrFileName;
+
+        // If array is empty, return; otherwise, apply config
+        if (usrTopics.Length < 0)
+            return;
+
+        foreach (var usrTopic in usrTopics)
+            topics.Add(usrTopic);
 
-        if (usrList.Length > 0)
-            defaultTopics = usrList;
 
         // Set new file Path
-        filePath = Path.Combine(outputDir, outputFile);
+        filePath = Path.Combine(outputDir, outputFile!);
     }
 
-    topic = NewTopic(defaultTopics.ToList());
+    if (!File.Exists(filePath))
+        File.WriteAllText(filePath, "[]");
 
-    // If the file already exists, assume a previous schedule was written
-    if (File.Exists(filePath))
+    foreach (var time in storeTimes)
+        times.Add(time.Trim());
+
+    // Set new topic
+    topics = config.Topics.ToList();
+    chosenTopic = NewTopic(topics);
+
+    // Write to file.
+    var jsonContent = File.ReadAllText(filePath);
+    var jsonList = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(jsonContent) ? new List<Schedule>()
+                  : JsonSerializer.Deserialize<List<Schedule>>(jsonContent) ?? new List<Schedule>();
+
+
+    jsonList.Add(new Schedule()
     {
-        if (UserChoice("Add to existing file?"))
-            appendSchedule = true;
+        Topic = chosenTopic.Trim(),
+        Times = times,
+    });
 
-        // Write to file.
-        using (var outputFile = new StreamWriter(filePath, appendSchedule))
-        {
-            outputFile.WriteLine($"        === {topic} ===");
-            foreach (var line in storeSchedule)
-                outputFile.WriteLine(line);
-        }
-    }
+    var jsonOptions = new JsonSerializerOptions()
+    {
+        WriteIndented = true,
+    };
 
-    // Clear list from memory before exit
-    storeSchedule.Clear();
+    var jsonString = JsonSerializer.Serialize(jsonList, jsonOptions);
+    File.WriteAllText(filePath, jsonString);
+    Tracer.WriteLine($"{jsonString}{Environment.NewLine}Written to: {filePath}");
 
+    // Clear list from memory
+    storeTimes.Clear();
 }
 
 /// <summary>
 /// Displays the scheduled article times in a formatted manner and provides
 /// options to export the schedule or restart the scheduling process.
 /// </summary>
-void PrintSchedule(bool isRestart = false)
+void PrintTimes(bool isRestart = false)
 {
     var storeSchedule = new List<String>();
-    var scheduledTimes = GenerateSchedule();
+    var scheduledTimes = GenerateTimes();
 
+    // Clear the screen on restart
     if (isRestart)
         Console.Clear();
 
     Console.WriteLine("=== Publish Times ===");
     foreach (var time in scheduledTimes)
     {
-        var articleTime = $"Article {scheduledTimes.IndexOf(time) + 1} Scheduled at: {ConvertTo12Hour(time)}";
+        var articleTime = $"{ConvertTo12Hour(time)}";
         // Correct format string to display time in 12-hour format with AM/PM
         Console.WriteLine(articleTime);
         // Store the schedule to memory for option export
@@ -208,14 +262,14 @@ void PrintSchedule(bool isRestart = false)
 
     // Give the user an option to export the schedule
     if (UserChoice("Retry?"))
-        PrintSchedule(true);
+        PrintTimes(true);
 
     // Give the user an option to export the schedule
     if (UserChoice("Export?"))
         ExportSchedule(storeSchedule);
 
     if (UserChoice("Generate A New Batch?"))
-        PrintSchedule(true);
+        PrintTimes(true);
     else
     {
         Console.Clear();
@@ -224,4 +278,4 @@ void PrintSchedule(bool isRestart = false)
 }
 
 // Start the loop
-PrintSchedule();
+PrintTimes();

PublishTimes.csproj

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
     <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
     <TargetFramework>net9.0</TargetFramework>
     <ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
+    <Version>0.2.101</Version>
     <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
   </PropertyGroup>
 

README.md

@@ -1,19 +1,40 @@
 # Publish Times
 
-This is a very simple console application that generates a list of times to publish news articles within a randomized 2-3 hour delay while avoiding time conflicts within a 30-minute window.
+This is a very simple console application that generates a list of times to publish news articles within a randomized 2-3 hour delay within a 30-minute window to avoid conflicts. This keeps thing flowing at an organic and slow pace.
+
+It is not recommended for use with hot topics. Instead, you should focus on overlooked foreign affairs, local news or op-eds. Of course, this is just covering general news.
 
 ## Exporting
 
-Once it generates a list of times, you can retry or export the times. If you export, you're requested to select from a number of topics or default to none if no selection is made. Upon export, you can start over or exit.
+Once it generates a list of times, you can retry or export it as a JSON format. If you export, you're requested to select from a number of topics or default to none if no selection is made. Upon export, you can start over or exit.
 
- Choice selection is based on the Y/N keys. ``Enter`` works the same as ``Y`` while pressing any other key is the equivalent of ``N``. You can make mistakes, but it expects failure.
+Choice selection is based on the Y/N keys. ``Enter`` works the same as ``Y`` while pressing any other key is the equivalent of ``N``. You can make mistakes, but it expects failure.
 
 An optional ``config.toml`` file allows for further customization of file name, directory, and topics.
 
+### Example
+
+```json
+[
+  {
+    "topic": "Games",
+    "times": [
+      "11:41 AM",
+      "2:05 PM",
+      "5:05 PM",
+      "8:18 PM",
+      "11:02 PM"
+    ]
+  }
+]
+```
+
 ## Background
 
 A while back, I [found a tool](https://schedule.lemmings.world) to schedule articles on Lemmy. I've been posting within a few hours apart at random minutes and I wanted to something decide that for me. I had AI write the base algorithm, everything else is my own touches.
 
+This tool was originally intended with a simple purpose: suggest some publishing times. However, when customable topics were added, it became more versatile. It can be used with anything that can be scheduled to publish, from news, art, or anything else.
+
 ## License
 
 I hereby waive this project under the public domain - see [UNLICENSE](UNLICENSE) for details.

Schedule.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+
+public class Schedule
+{
+    [JsonPropertyName("topic")]
+    public string Topic { get; set; } = "";
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("times")]
+    public IList<string> Times { get; set; } = new List<string>();
+}

Tracer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+// I hereby waive this project under the public domain - see UNLICENSE for details.
+namespace PublishTimes;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Provides debug-only console output methods.
+/// These methods are only executed when the application is compiled in DEBUG mode.
+/// </summary>
+internal static class Tracer
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Writes a line of text to the console, but only when in DEBUG mode.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="content">The text to write to the console.</param>
+    [Conditional("DEBUG")]
+    internal static void WriteLine(string content) =>
+        Console.WriteLine(content);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Writes text to the console without a newline, but only when in DEBUG mode.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="content">The text to write to the console.</param>
+    [Conditional("DEBUG")]
+    internal static void Write(string content) =>
+        Console.Write(content);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Writes multiple lines of text to the console, but only when in DEBUG mode.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="contents">A collection of text lines to write to the console.</param>
+    [Conditional("DEBUG")]
+    internal static void WriteLine(IEnumerable<string> contents)
+    {
+        foreach (var content in contents)
+        {
+            Console.WriteLine(content);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Writes multiple text entries to the console without newlines, but only when in DEBUG mode.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="contents">A collection of text entries to write to the console.</param>
+    [Conditional("DEBUG")]
+    internal static void Write(IEnumerable<string> contents)
+    {
+        foreach (var content in contents)
+        {
+            Console.Write(content);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets the current working directory in DEBUG mode or the application's base directory in release mode.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static string AppDirectory
+    {
+        get
+        {
+#if DEBUG
+            return Directory.GetCurrentDirectory();
+#else
+  return  AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory;
+#endif
+        }
+    }
+}

config.toml.sample

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 path = "/home/tonytins/Documents/"
-file = "newscycle.txt"
+file = "newscycle.json"
 topics = [
   "Games",
   "News",