New Modular Add-on System - Looking for Testers

[Jon W]

I've been working on a brand new way of developing add-ons, codenamed "Cake".

Add-ons are broken down into individual modules, which makes them easier to manage in various ways.

Benefits of this approach include:

• only enable the modules you need, meaning your site doesn't load redundant files, template modifications, etc.;
• allow modules to be easily enabled/disabled to aid in bug fixing and removing features that may be incompatible with third-party add-ons you have installed;
• easier for add-ons to be converted to support XenForo 2.0 as they can be converted one module at a time;
• similar add-ons can be combined into a single add-on, meaning you have less add-ons to install and update;
• code is much easier to read/understand as you can see which feature each block of code relates to.

This system requires a single "core" add-on to be installed, which allows for this additional functionality. In addition, this allows for files that are shared between add-ons to be included in this "core" add-on.

Benefits of this approach include:

• no more errors whenever you upload a new add-on by FTP while shared files are being overwritten;
• add-on zip files are smaller due to not having to include many shared files;
• more code can be shared between add-ons, meaning much more efficient add-ons and code that is much easier to understand.

In order to do this and in order to make the most of this way of doing things, the "core" add-on will require PHP 5.4 and XenForo 1.3 or above.

Benefits of this approach include:

• no more legacy code for older versions of PHP and older versions of XenForo, meaning add-on files are smaller, more efficient, quicker to code and easier to read/understand;
• newer PHP functionality (including namespaces and traits) which are likely to be relied upon in XenForo 2.0 can be introduced, meaning it will be easier for add-ons to be converted to XenForo 2.0.

This system is now almost ready to be released, so I am looking for a small number of alpha testers. Once it has passed the alpha stage, a public beta will be released.

If you are interested in helping test, please post here or send me a PM.

"Cake" add-ons will be released under a new pricing structure, which will be announced later.

Included in the new pricing will be a guarantee that these add-ons will be upgraded to XenForo 2.0 when it is released, at no extra cost, to those who purchase the add-on.

Queue cake-related puns...

 

[Harper34]

I would be willing to be an Alpha tester.

 

[Jon W]

Anyone interested in testing can now register for an account at:
Forum Cake

 

[Jake B.]

I've signed up . Let me know when there is something to test

 

[Rob]

I might consider this as long as the first cake mod is called custard

 

[mcatze]

I'm ready for testing ..

 

[Mr. Goodie2Shoes]

Signed up!

 

[Rob]

I cant get the site to load Jon..... you working on it? I just time out.

 

[mcatze]

Me too ..

 

[Mr. Goodie2Shoes]

The site is not loading for me anymore

 

[Rob]

I think it's consumed itself

 

[Jon W]

Nothing to do with me. @Mike Edge, can you help?

 

[Rob]

Will cake add-ons be called "toppings"??

 

[Jon W]

Will cake add-ons be called "toppings"??

That would be a good name for the individual modules.

 

[Rob]

and the topping's modules will be "sprinkles"??

Haha, this is far better than creating 50+ forums with two starter threads in each..... and jon, I need a mod for that

 

[Jon W]

It's back online now! Sorry about that.

 

[Rob]

Signed up

 

[Mike Edge]

Nothing to do with me. @Mike Edge, can you help?

All resolved now! Server had a kernel panic caused by something related to cPanel, When it rebooted it booted into fsck and had to run before completing the boot sequence. Sorry about that!

 

[RobinHood]

Sounds pretty sweet.

 

[arms]

@Jon W Signed up but getting no activation email.