Add an option to prevent the changed date from being updated.

Problem/Motivation

When updating various nodes, all of them will have their updated date changed to the current date which may confuse administrators to see that all content where just updated and sometimes could end up being visible on front if this field is displayed.

Steps to reproduce

Batch update several content and see the "Updated" column in /admin/content.

Proposed resolution

Add an option in the "Select fields to change" form to left the date untouched.

As a reference we have :

• Drupal core issue 📌 Allow the ChangedItem to skip updating the entity's "changed" timestamp when synchronizing (f.e. when migrating) Needs work
• Preserve Changed Timestamp → module add an API for this

Remaining tasks

Patch to be written.

I don't have time right now to work on this feature, but here is a small code to help dealing with this problem.

/**
 * Implements hook_entity_presave().
 * Prevent changed date from bein update when running batches / using VBO.
 */
function MODULE_entity_presave(EntityInterface $entity) {
  if (\Drupal::routeMatch()->getRouteName() == 'system.batch_page.json' && isset($entity->original->changed)) {
    $entity->changed = $entity->original->changed;
  }
}