Contributed modules, plugins, filters

Program code that is offered to the Moodle community that is not part of the standard Moodle is called "contributed". Moodle's modular code structure and open software license allows for an active community of contributed code developers.

These packages of code can be physically located in many places. Most are "advertized" in the Moodle plugins directory or in the contributed code forum. However, organizations may also have their own internal locations for special code.

Information about contributed modules, plugins and filters

• The Moodle plugins directory is a comprehensive library of most contributed code modules, plugins, filters and themes. This area is a searchable database with descriptions, requirements, developer comments and links to downloadable versions, documentation, forums and where to report issues about a specific contributed code.

• Contributed code category shows a list of all contributed code pages in Moodle Docs.

• Contributed modules and plugins forum is a place to discuss contributed code. A few contributed code modules have their own forums on the Moodle community forum page in Section 3 "Moodle contrib".

• You can receive notices of new additions to Modules and Plugins by following @moodleplugins on Twitter.

What is a plugin?

A plugin is code that works with other Moodle modules.

The term plugin has evolved with Moodle to generally mean an enhancement of an existing feature in Moodle. The lines sometimes get fuzzy. For example, many filters were called plugins. You will now find plugins on the settings block menu and under it filters.

Some times plugins or contributed codes are called "hacks", a slang term for changing computer code. This is because they started off as a sloppy bit of code ( perhaps a (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweaking tweak) that produced a desired result. Most contributed code is not what a non-developer would call "hacked".

Notes on various contributed code, plugins and filters

In 2011, there were over 800 entries in the Modules and plugins database.

If you are looking for contributed code to use for your site, we suggest you investigate the links found in the "Information about" section on this page.

Developers who wish to call attention to their contributions should do so in the Modules and plugin database and then create documentation and then perhaps ask for comments in the contributed code forum.