How to debug hook_form_BASE_FORM_ID_alter not working?

Question

I am at wits' end. I have a clean install of Drupal 7.28 and a custom module with the following two hooks:

/**
 * Implements hook_form_alter().
 * /
function mymodule_form_alter(&$form, &$form_state, $form_id) {
  dpm($form_state, 'form_alter');
}

/**
 * Implements hook_form_BASE_FORM_ID_alter().
 * /
function mymodule_form_node_form_alter(&$form, &$form_state, $form_id) {
  dpm($form_state, 'BASE_FORM_ID_alter');
}

And that is all there currently is in the custom module.

I have verified that the the base_form_id for the Article node form is node_form, by printing it out (using dpm($form_state). This is what is printed:

base_form_id (String, 9 characters ) node_form

And yes, I have cleared the cache (I've even restarted apache and rebooted the server).

I believe my code is identical to what is shown in numerous tutorials about how to use hook_form_BASE_FORM_ID_alter().

Still, when I open the form to create an article, the first hook (hook_form_alter()) fires, and the second (hook_form_BASE_FORM_ID_alter()) does not.

This hook is in 54 functions in the core, so it is very unlikely that it just does not work.

As I said, I am at wits' end.

Has anyone a suggestion for what to try next?

Answer 1

Not sure if relevant but I while copying your code I did received a warning. Warning: Unterminated comment, but perhaps that sneaked in while placing the code in the question.

Answer 2

These are always fun... First, did you clear your cache? You always have to clear your cache when adding or changing a hook, and, to be honest, your code looks correct.

Second, to find out the BASE_FORM_ID, to better target a node edit form, you can do this to output all the form ids on the page:

function mymodule_form_alter(&$form, $form_state, $form_id) {
  dsm($form_id);
}

You may discover that the more-targeted $form_id is something like article_node_form. I have seen it both ways.