How do you modify the 'post_parent' of a custom post type?

Question

I want to be able to edit the post_parent of a custom post type. Basically in my use case I want to mimic how WordPress uses attachments: have a custom post type that is sort of a subtype to post or any other post type. WordPress uses the post_parent field on the wp_posts table to link attachments to their parent posts so I want to be able to do the same. I've tried to use wp_update_posts but it seems to time out the connection when I try to call it during a post save. Is there a way of editing the post_parent directly?

Answer 1

Hi @Manny Fleurmond:

You can add the following HTML to a post metabox you'll have an edit field that lets you edit the raw post_parent ID. Maybe with this knowledge you can build what you need?

<input type="text" id="parent_id" name="parent_id" 
       value="<?php echo $post->post_parent; ?>" />

Answer 2

If I well understood the question you can set support for page-attributes when you register a CPT like this:

add_action( 'init', 'register_products_post_type' );
function register_products_post_type() {
    $labels = array(
        'name' => 'Products'
    );

    $args = array(
        'labels'        => $labels,
        'public'        => true,
        'rewrite'       => array(
            'with_front'    => false
        ),
        'has_archive'   => true,
        'hierarchical'  => true,
        'menu_position' => 5,
        'supports'      => array( ..., 'page-attributes', ... )
    );

    register_post_type( 'products', $args );
}

A listbox will appear in the manage post page.