Technologies Internet et Education, © TECFA
  2. Introduction

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2.1 "Everything is in the documentation or almost everything :)"

From the very beginning you need the following:

• install a "test" portal (otherwise you risk to destroy your official portal)
• search and print all the official documents (most recent versions):

some hints for searching:

• http://www.postnuke.com/index.php
• http://mods.postnuke.com/
• http://support.postnuke.com/

Most important documents:

• Postnuke Module Developers Guide
• Postnuke API Command Reference
• Postnuke ADODB Documentation

2.2 Steps to follow before the real action

• Print all documentation and read it carefully!!!
• Get inspired from other modules (only the ones that are properly developped :)
• Decide for the functionalities of your module and verify that it doesn't exist already! (that, will save a lot of trouble ...)
• Choose a name (short, all in small letters, and of course one that makes sense) and register it in the official PN portal in order to avoid conflicts with the name of other modules
• Decide for the type of your module: "item" or "utility"

item = independent modules that manipulate their own content (ex: news, FAQ, downloads)

utility= modules that manipulate the content of other modules (ex: comments, ratings) and who use usually "hooks" (interactions among modules)

• Design your module

> Separate "user" from "admin" functions

> Separate "GUI" from "API" functions (display from operations)

> Decide whether you want to have "blocks"

• Think carefully about the structure of the database tables that your module will need if this is the case (take your time as this is VERY important!)
• Start programming (according the official doc and our tips that follow :)
• Ask for help ( Module Support Forums )
• Document your code (!), test and debug, package your module (zip, tar)