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== General customisations ==
{{Infobox Project
|name = Local customisations
|state = Implemented
|tracker = MDL-17376, MDL-16438
|discussion = http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=126017 http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=86903
|assignee = [[User:Petr Škoda (škoďák)|Petr Škoda (škoďák)]], some parts were originally proposed and implemented in 1.9 by Penny Leach
}}
{{Moodle 2.0}}


Moodle has been designed with extensibility in mind. There are many plug-in points available though out Moodle to allow developers add new functionality to Moodle without modifying core code.
The recommended way to add new functionality to Moodle is to create a new standard plugin (module, block, auth, enrol, etc.).The /local/ plugins are mostly suitable for things that do not fit standard plugins.


See the [[Developer_documentation#Make_a_new_plugin|make a new plugin section of the Developer documentation page]] for the different plugin types available, and documentation on how to develop for them.
== Custom /local/ plugins ==


== local/ folder for 'hacky' customisations ==
Local plugins are used in cases when no standard plugin fits, examples are:
* event consumers communicating with external systems
* custom definitions of web services and external functions
* applications that extend moodle at the system level (hub server, amos server, etc.)
* new database tables used in core hacks (discouraged)
* new capability definitions used in core hacks
* custom admin settings
* extending the navigation block with custom menus [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=170325&parent=753095]


Sometimes it is not possible to use the available plug-in points to make your change. In situations like this then the local folder is for you. The idea is that instead of scattering your changes throughout the code base, you put them all in a folder called 'local'. Using this folder means you won't have to deal with merging problems when you upgrade the rest of your Moodle installation.
=== Standard plugin features: ===
* /local/xxx/version.php - version of script (must be incremented after changes)
* /local/xxx/db/install.xml - executed during install (new version.php found)
* /local/xxx/db/install.php - executed right after install.xml
* /local/xxx/db/uninstall.php - executed during uninstallation
* /local/xxx/db/upgrade.php - executed after version.php change
* /local/xxx/db/access.php - definition of capabilities
* /local/xxx/db/events.php - event handlers and subscripts
* /local/xxx/db/messages.php - messaging registration
* /local/xxx/db/external.php - web services and external functions descriptions
* /local/xxx/lang/en/local_pluginname.php - language file


The local folder has some of the plug-in points available which are available to other modules. Perhaps most useful the local/db/ folder can be used to make database schema changes and custom role permissions.
The ''xxx'' is used instead of your local plugin name, plugins of the same type are installed/upgraded in alphabetical order.


However, using the local folder should be absolutely the last resort. Long term, you will almost certainly find it easier to maintain your changes if you can package them up as one of the standard types of plugins.
=== List of differences from normal plugins: ===
 
* always executed last during install/upgrade - guaranteed by order of plugins in <code>get_plugin_types()</code>
=== Local database changes and version ===
* are expected to use event handlers - events are intended for communication core-->plugins only, local plugins are the best candidates for event handlers
 
* can add admin settings to any settings page - loaded last when constructing admin tree
If you need to make local database customisations that are not easily encapsulated by a block or module, Moodle does support the use of a local db upgrade script, and local version number.
* do not need to have any UI - other plugins are usually visible somewhere
 
* some extra hooks (not implemented yet)
This is almost exactly the same as every other db/upgrade.php and version.php except for the following points:
 
==== local/version.php ====
 
local/version.php must look like:


== /local/xxx/db/messages.php ==
Example File Structure:
<code php>
<code php>
$local_version = 2008121700;
<?php
</code>


==== local/db/install.xml ====
/**
* Defines message providers (types of messages being sent)
*
* @package mod-forum
* @copyright  1999 onwards  Martin Dougiamas  http://moodle.com
* @license  http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU GPL v3 or later
*/


Local/ has no install.xml - only an upgrade.php.  This is because often the changes that you want to make are not full tables, but just extra columns, and a local install.xml makes less sense than just upgrade.php.
$messageproviders = array (
==== local/db/upgrade.php ====


local/db/upgrade.php must look like:
/// Ordinary single forum posts
    'posts' => array (
    )


<code php>
);
function xmldb_local_upgrade($oldversion) {
    global $CFG, $db;
 
    $result = true;
 
    if ($result && $result < 2008121700) {
        $result = $result && create_table($table);
    }
    return $result;
}
</code>
</code>


=== Local post-installation data insertion ===
== Other /local/ customisation files==  


In discussion - see http://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-17440
===Customised site defaults===


=== Local capabilities ===
Different default site settings can be stored in file /local/defaults.php.
These new defaults are used during installation, upgrade and later are
displayed as default values in admin settings. This means that the content
of the defaults files is usually updated BEFORE installation or upgrade.


Just like core and modules, Moodle supports the use of a db/access.php inside local/ to define local capabilities.
These customised defaults are useful especially when using CLI tools
 
for installation and upgrade.
The formatting is exactly the same as the other db/access.php scripts  - an array keyed by capability name, containing arrays of capability data, like so:


Sample /local/defaults.php file content:
<code php>
<code php>
$local_capabilities = array(
<?php
    'moodle/local:capability' => array(
$defaults['moodle']['forcelogin'] = 1;  // new default for $CFG->forcelogin
        'captype'     => 'write',
$defaults['scorm']['maxgrade'] = 20;    // default for get_config('scorm', 'maxgrade')
        'contextlevel' => CONTEXT_SYSTEM,
$defaults['moodlecourse']['numsections'] = 11;
        'riskbitmask' => RISK_SPAM,
$defaults['moodle']['hiddenuserfields'] = array('city', 'country');
    ),
 
</code>
</code>
First bracket contains string from column plugin of config_plugins table.
Second bracket is the name of setting. In the admin settings UI the plugin and
name of setting is separated by "|".


The values usually correspond to the raw string in config table, with the exception
of comma separated lists that are usually entered as real arrays.


Note that for all local capabilities you add, you'll need to add language strings.
Please note that not all settings are converted to admin_tree,
Moodle will expect to find them in local/lang/en_utf8/local.php (eg for English)
they are mostly intended to be set directly in config.php.
with a key (following the above example) of local:capability


=== Local event subscriptions ===
=== 2.0 pre-upgrade script===


''' Pending commit '''
You can use /local/upgrade_pre20.php script for any code that needs to
be executed before the main upgrade to 2.0. Most probably this will
be used for undoing of old hacks that would otherwise break normal
2.0 upgrade.


It is often very helpful to be able to write custom code that subscribes to normal events that Moodle throws. It's also handy to be able to throw and catch your own custom events, as the Event API provides a very handy mechanism to do signal handling.
This file is just included directly, there does not need to be any
function inside. If the execution stops the script is executed again
during the next upgrade. The first execution of lib/db/upgrade.php
increments the version number and the pre upgrade script is not
executed any more.


Local event handlers get registered at install/upgrade time just as the event handlers for modules do.  To trigger an update when you add a new event handler, you must bump the local version number.
== Customisations outside of /local/ directory==


Event handlers must be defined in an array, keyed by event name, with each entry in the array information about the handler, like so:
=== Forced settings===


<code php>
Sometimes it is useful to force some settings and prevent any changes of these settings via the standard admin UI. It is possible to hardcode these settings in config.php.
    $handlers = array(
        'some_core_event'    => array(            // eg 'user_created'
            'handlerfile'    => '/local/lib.php', // example
            'handlerfunction' => 'local_user_create_handler',
            'schedule'        => 'cron'
        )
    );
</code>


=== Local admin menu items and settings ===
In case of course settings it is very simply, the values are assigned directly to $CFG properties. In case of plugins the values are specified in a multidimensional array in $CFG->force_plugin_settings.
 
You can add extra configuration items to Moodle by creating a file, local/settings.php which accesses the $ADMIN variable directly and adds new items to it. This will make them appear in the site administration block on the homepage, and create the config options that administrators can change.  You can also add whole new custom config pages (admin_externalpage). For example:


Sample code in config.php
<code php>
<code php>
$CFG->allowobjectembed = 0;
$CFG->forced_plugin_settings = array('page'=>array('displayoptions'=>5, 'requiremodintro'=>1), 'folder'=>'requiremodintro'=>1);
</code>


$ADMIN->add('root', new admin_category($name, $title);
=== Local language customisations===  
$ADMIN->add('foo', new admin_externalpage($name, $title, $url, $cap);
 
</code>
 
=== Local backup and restore hooks ===
 
In discussion - see http://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-17444
 
=== Local course deletion hook ===
 
This is due to be removed, and replaced with an event.
 
Previously, when you emptied ('''not deleted''') a course, the notify_local_course_delete method was called, which looked for a local_delete_course method in local/lib.php.  The naming of this is a little ambiguous because the course is being emptied, not deleted.
 
Going forwards, we aim to have two events - course_emptied and course_deleted.  Support for the local_delete_course method will be removed.
 
See http://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-17445 for more info.
 
=== Local my moodle overrides ===
 
('''pending commit''')
 
By default, the My Moodle page shows a course overview in the center column.  Some sites might want to replace that with some custom code, or even just some static content.  This is very easily accomplished by:
 
* Creating a local/lib.php
* Putting a function in there, called local_my_moodle.
 
This function will be called '''instead of'' (rather than in addition to), the default center column.
 
=== Local stickyblocks targets ===
 
('''pending commit''')
 
In the case where you're developing a heavily customised site, it might happen that you develop a pagetype that has the ability for people to add blocks to.  In this case, you might want to also make it stickyblock enabled.
 
This is easily achieved by:
 
* Create local/lib.php
* Create a method in there called local_get_sticky_pagetypes that returns an array just like the $pagetypes array at the top of admin/stickyblocks.php.
 
For example:


Moodle supports other type of local customisation of standard language
packs. If you want to create your own language pack based on another
language create new dataroot directory with "_local" suffix, for example
following file with content changes string "Login" to "Sign in":
moodledata/lang/en_local
<code php>
<code php>
 
<?php
function local_get_sticky_pagetypes() {
  $string['login'] = 'Sign in';
    return array(
        'custom_pagetype' => array(
            'id' => 'custom_pagetype',
            'lib' => '/local/lib.php',
            'name' => get_string('custom_pagetype', 'local')
        )
    );
}
 
</code>
</code>
See also https://docs.moodle.org/en/Language_editing


You then must create a page that extends page_base.  Don't forget that if your pagetype is stickyblock enabled, it needs to take this into account in some of its methods.  For example:
=== Custom script injection===


<code php>
Very old customisation option that allows you to modify scripts by injecting
code right after the require 'config.php' call.


class custom_pagetype extends page_base {
This setting is enabled by manually setting $CFG->customscripts variable
in config.php script. The value is expected to be full path to directory
with the same structure as dirroot. Please note this hack only affects
files that actually include the config.php!


    // normal page type class
; Examples:
* disable one specific moodle page without code modification
* alter page parameters on the fly


    function url_get_path() {
=== Direct code modifications===
        global $CFG;
This is usually the last resort, if possible do not do it. And if you still do it use some version control system (preferably git).
        if (defined('ADMIN_STICKYBLOCKS')) { // admin is editing stickyblocks, not a normal page
            return $CFG->wwwroot . '/admin/stickyblocks.php';
        }
        return '';
    }


    function url_get_parameters() {
=== Direct database modifications===
        global $CFG;
Very strongly discouraged! Sometimes field lengths may be modified without side effects. Adding or removing of db fields will most probably cause major problems during future upgrades. New database tables should be added only from plugins.
        if (defined('ADMIN_STICKYBLOCKS')) {
            return array('pt' =>  'custom_pagetype');
        }
    }
}
</code>


and map it with page_map_class:
== Local customisations in previous versions ==
 
Previous versions include only partial support for customisations in /local/ directory.
<code php>
page_map_class('custom_pagetype', 'custom_pagetype');
</code>


=== Local user profile view hook ===
=== List of local customisations in 1.9.x: ===
* /local/cron.php - custom cron jobs
* /local/settings.php - custom admin settings
* /local/db/upgrade.php - general modifications
* /local/lang/* - custom strings
* /local/lib.php - local_delete_course()


=== Local language strings ===
=== Migration from old 1.9.x /local/: ===
* <code>local/*</code> needs to be copied to new directory
* <code>local/xxxx/db/install.php</code> is intended for first installation, originally everything was in upgrade.php
* events are used instead of hooks
* upgrade code needs to migrate old settings, events, etc. directly in core db tables - such as change component strings and capability names from db/install.php or manually before/after upgrade


==See also==
==See also==


*[http://cvs.moodle.org/moodle/lib/locallib.php?view=markup CVS:moodle/lib/locallib.php]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=170325&parent=753095 Extending navigation block]
*Using Moodle [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=86903 Local Customisations] forum discussion
* Using Moodle [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=86903 Local Customisations] forum discussion
* http://cvs.moodle.org/moodle/local/readme.txt?view=markup
* [[Local customisation (Moodle 1.9)]]


[[Category:Developer|Local customisation]]
[[Category:Developer|Local customisation]]

Latest revision as of 20:51, 7 April 2011

Local customisations
Project state Implemented
Tracker issue MDL-17376, MDL-16438
Discussion http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=126017 http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=86903
Assignee Petr Škoda (škoďák), some parts were originally proposed and implemented in 1.9 by Penny Leach

Moodle 2.0


The recommended way to add new functionality to Moodle is to create a new standard plugin (module, block, auth, enrol, etc.).The /local/ plugins are mostly suitable for things that do not fit standard plugins.

Custom /local/ plugins

Local plugins are used in cases when no standard plugin fits, examples are:

  • event consumers communicating with external systems
  • custom definitions of web services and external functions
  • applications that extend moodle at the system level (hub server, amos server, etc.)
  • new database tables used in core hacks (discouraged)
  • new capability definitions used in core hacks
  • custom admin settings
  • extending the navigation block with custom menus [1]

Standard plugin features:

  • /local/xxx/version.php - version of script (must be incremented after changes)
  • /local/xxx/db/install.xml - executed during install (new version.php found)
  • /local/xxx/db/install.php - executed right after install.xml
  • /local/xxx/db/uninstall.php - executed during uninstallation
  • /local/xxx/db/upgrade.php - executed after version.php change
  • /local/xxx/db/access.php - definition of capabilities
  • /local/xxx/db/events.php - event handlers and subscripts
  • /local/xxx/db/messages.php - messaging registration
  • /local/xxx/db/external.php - web services and external functions descriptions
  • /local/xxx/lang/en/local_pluginname.php - language file

The xxx is used instead of your local plugin name, plugins of the same type are installed/upgraded in alphabetical order.

List of differences from normal plugins:

  • always executed last during install/upgrade - guaranteed by order of plugins in get_plugin_types()
  • are expected to use event handlers - events are intended for communication core-->plugins only, local plugins are the best candidates for event handlers
  • can add admin settings to any settings page - loaded last when constructing admin tree
  • do not need to have any UI - other plugins are usually visible somewhere
  • some extra hooks (not implemented yet)

/local/xxx/db/messages.php

Example File Structure: <?php

/** 

* Defines message providers (types of messages being sent)
*
* @package mod-forum
* @copyright  1999 onwards  Martin Dougiamas  http://moodle.com
* @license   http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU GPL v3 or later
*/

$messageproviders = array (

/// Ordinary single forum posts 

   'posts' => array (
   )

);

Other /local/ customisation files

Customised site defaults

Different default site settings can be stored in file /local/defaults.php. These new defaults are used during installation, upgrade and later are displayed as default values in admin settings. This means that the content of the defaults files is usually updated BEFORE installation or upgrade.

These customised defaults are useful especially when using CLI tools for installation and upgrade.

Sample /local/defaults.php file content: <?php $defaults['moodle']['forcelogin'] = 1; // new default for $CFG->forcelogin $defaults['scorm']['maxgrade'] = 20; // default for get_config('scorm', 'maxgrade') $defaults['moodlecourse']['numsections'] = 11; $defaults['moodle']['hiddenuserfields'] = array('city', 'country'); First bracket contains string from column plugin of config_plugins table. Second bracket is the name of setting. In the admin settings UI the plugin and name of setting is separated by "|".

The values usually correspond to the raw string in config table, with the exception of comma separated lists that are usually entered as real arrays.

Please note that not all settings are converted to admin_tree, they are mostly intended to be set directly in config.php.

2.0 pre-upgrade script

You can use /local/upgrade_pre20.php script for any code that needs to be executed before the main upgrade to 2.0. Most probably this will be used for undoing of old hacks that would otherwise break normal 2.0 upgrade.

This file is just included directly, there does not need to be any function inside. If the execution stops the script is executed again during the next upgrade. The first execution of lib/db/upgrade.php increments the version number and the pre upgrade script is not executed any more.

Customisations outside of /local/ directory

Forced settings

Sometimes it is useful to force some settings and prevent any changes of these settings via the standard admin UI. It is possible to hardcode these settings in config.php.

In case of course settings it is very simply, the values are assigned directly to $CFG properties. In case of plugins the values are specified in a multidimensional array in $CFG->force_plugin_settings.

Sample code in config.php $CFG->allowobjectembed = 0; $CFG->forced_plugin_settings = array('page'=>array('displayoptions'=>5, 'requiremodintro'=>1), 'folder'=>'requiremodintro'=>1);

Local language customisations

Moodle supports other type of local customisation of standard language packs. If you want to create your own language pack based on another language create new dataroot directory with "_local" suffix, for example following file with content changes string "Login" to "Sign in": moodledata/lang/en_local <?php 

 $string['login'] = 'Sign in';

See also https://docs.moodle.org/en/Language_editing

Custom script injection

Very old customisation option that allows you to modify scripts by injecting code right after the require 'config.php' call.

This setting is enabled by manually setting $CFG->customscripts variable in config.php script. The value is expected to be full path to directory with the same structure as dirroot. Please note this hack only affects files that actually include the config.php!

Examples
  • disable one specific moodle page without code modification
  • alter page parameters on the fly

Direct code modifications

This is usually the last resort, if possible do not do it. And if you still do it use some version control system (preferably git).

Direct database modifications

Very strongly discouraged! Sometimes field lengths may be modified without side effects. Adding or removing of db fields will most probably cause major problems during future upgrades. New database tables should be added only from plugins.

Local customisations in previous versions

Previous versions include only partial support for customisations in /local/ directory.

List of local customisations in 1.9.x:

  • /local/cron.php - custom cron jobs
  • /local/settings.php - custom admin settings
  • /local/db/upgrade.php - general modifications
  • /local/lang/* - custom strings
  • /local/lib.php - local_delete_course()

Migration from old 1.9.x /local/:

  • local/* needs to be copied to new directory
  • local/xxxx/db/install.php is intended for first installation, originally everything was in upgrade.php
  • events are used instead of hooks
  • upgrade code needs to migrate old settings, events, etc. directly in core db tables - such as change component strings and capability names from db/install.php or manually before/after upgrade

See also

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