Looking to move to XF from VB4. Have questions re integration with existing site

[Basenotes]

Hello

I currently run a site, which uses vBulletin 4 for forums, and user profiles. The rest of the site I have custom coded in php, and integrates with vBulletin. (I used to use the VB template but last year I ditched the VB template for the non-forum pages, as I wanted to go responsive)

I'm looking to move to XF, and have styled the site how it should look. It has superb functionality.

However, when looking about how to integrate the rest of the site, I'm basically going around in circles.

I'm wondering if there is a way to do this (I've looked at all the tutorials rounds here, and attempted to try the kotomi add-on, which I can't seem to get to work):

**Something here which connects to XF and checks user status, etc**

(My PHP code here, resulting in the page I want in a $mypage variable)

**Get XF header to $header**
**Get XF Footer to $footer**

echo $header;
echo $mypage;
echo $footer

Sorry if this is fairly basic, but I've been coding (self-taught) in various languages (from BASIC to Perl, PHP...) for 25 years, and this is all baffling to me!

 

[TickTackk]

Pages maybe?

 

[Basenotes]

Pages maybe?

Thanks for the reply

I don't think the pages function will be suitable -- I should have been more detailed about the non-forum pages on the site

As examples,

There is a custom built CMS, which integrates with VB for comment threads http://www.basenotes.net/editorial/
There is a searchable directory of fragrances, where members can review and add to their own lists http://www.basenotes.net/brand/hugo-boss
A shopping directory, which helps visitors find stockists of various perfumes http://www.basenotes.net/perfumeshopping/

and more

I'm not sure where to start with this, and thinking it may be easier to stick with VB

 

[TickTackk]

I think you should start by creating add-on with simple controller which would start giving you ideas on how to extend it further to suit your needs.

 

[Basenotes]

I think you should start by creating add-on with simple controller which would start giving you ideas on how to extend it further to suit your needs.

Cheers. I'll have a go