ExpressionEngine Add-on Essentials

BostonEErs May 2010 MeetupRuthie BenDor, unruthless.com

ExpressionEngineAdd-On Essentials

A short talk and show ‘n tell


What’s an add-on?(And why would I want one?)


Out-of-the-box, ExpressionEngine lets you do a LOT.

But that’s not enough for you, is it?(Sheesh, so demanding.)

When you need ExpressionEngine to do something that’s beyond the core functionality of the system,

add-ons allow you to expand the power of EE to meet your needs.


What different kinds of add-ons are there?


1. expansions 2. modules 3. plugins 4. extensions 5. accessories


1. Expansions bend EE.

Expansions fundamentally alteryour EE installation.

ere’s only one expansion for EE:the Multi-Site Manager from EllisLab.


2. Modules are mini-applications.

Modules are larger systems that you want integrated with your CMS.

Modules may include their own plugins and extensions.


3. Plugins are for lovers templates.

Plugins usually contain PHP functions that manipulate output.

ey help you keep your EE templates (mostly) free of PHP code.


4. Extensions are little system tweaks.

Extensions ‘hook’ into EE, and usually work in concert with other add-ons, allowing them to pass information and add functionality to existing interfaces.

ey’re mostly used to modify EE’s Control Panel.


5. Accessories help your clients.

Accessories (available in EE 2 only) make it easier for your clients to maintain their sites.

ey allow you to easily incorporate useful info (e.g. documentation, links, analytics) into the Control Panel.


Where can I findexisting add-ons?


devot-ee.com/add-ons/

Q: What about http://expressionengine.com/downloads/addons/?

A: Devot:EE is a better source of add-ons than the add-ons section on ExpressionEngine’s site, which is not actively maintained.


How do Iinstall add-ons?


Install Plugins In EE 1.61. Upload the plugin file, pi.pluginname.php, to /system/plugins/.

2. Log in to the EE Control Panel, and go to Admin > Utilities > Plugin Manager. If your plugin is on the list, congrats! It’s installed and you can use it in your templates.

3. If you click on the plugin name, you’ll be shown documentation for the plugin, including usage guidelines.


1. Upload the extension file, ext.extensionname.php, to /system/extensions/

2. Log in to the EE Control Panel, and go to Admin > Utilities > Extensions Manager. Find your extension on the list, and click the Enable? link.

3. Many extensions have settings (e.g. API keys for external services). You can edit those by clicking the Settings link. Once those are set, congrats! e extension is now enabled and can be used by your system.

Install Extensions In EE 1.6


Install Modules In EE 1.61. Read the documentation that comes with the module, and follow the instructions.


Install Any Add-on In EE 21. Upload the add-on folder to /system/third_party/.

2. Follow the add-on’s documentation.


I want to buildmy own add-on.

How do I get started?


Building an add-on for EE 1.6.x?Documentation

http://expressionengine.com/docs/development/

Building an add-on for EE 2.x?Documentation

http://expressionengine.com/public_beta/docs/development/

EE Dev Kit, a starter template for add-onshttp://www.bybjorn.com/344/

http://expressionengine.com/docs/development/index.html

http://expressionengine.com/docs/development/index.html









Technology

ExpressionEngine Add-on Essentials