Creating a module

[Hari KT]

Hi Guys,

Probably this has been asked, or have some modules which have the similar functionality. If you think so please link to it . I did searched a lot whether any question is asked. My apologies if I didn't find that.

I was wondering whether there is a way in PW which can create the needed fields for my template, and copy the template to the site/templates folder.

I noticed the __install() hook can be used to create Fields and FieldType.

$field = new Field();
$field->setName('somefunnyfield');
$data = array(
    'label' => 'Some nice label',
    'type' => 'Page',
);

Now the problems are more customization. Is there a module or something that can generate the necessary information from the already created fields?

The idea is want to create module say ( Blog ) which has certain fields and that can be installed in any PW installation, which out any changes other than in code.

Thank you

[kongondo]

Hi Hari,

Creating fields using the API is very easy in PW. Have a look at various modules.

See also this thread:http://processwire.com/talk/topic/1051-adding-and-assigning-fields-without-using-gui/. Of course, you will have to adapt the code for a module (essentially a PHP class)....

The ___install() method is only called when the module is installed. Use this if you want to create something only one time, e.g. custom tables in your database that your module will be using. For "creating" other fields that will be used when the module runs in the admin (e.g. for process modules) you can throw those other methods in your module class, e.g. ___execute().  - [this one is executed when module is called]. Again, have a look at the various modules out there...

If you will be creating a module, what is the need for a template and a template file?

This bit I don't get

Now the problems are more customization. Is there a module or something that can generate the necessary information from the already created fields?

Hmm...I like this idea about a blog module...

Edited multiple times for clarity and sanity!

Edited February 21, 2014 by kongondo

[adrian]

Check out this module:

http://processwire.com/talk/topic/4420-page-list-migrator/

It is still in development, but it allows you to export a hierarchy of pages, templates and fields from one PW installation to another and import them into another PW installation. It currently doesn't copy the actually template.php files, but that is the easy part really

A blog setup is definitely one of the uses I am thinking of for this module, but at the moment you will find on the import page of the module the ability to import/create the pages/templates/fields for lists of countries and a few state lists.

I really do want to get back to finalizing this module, but it is in a usable state already although I would definitely recommend running it on a test installation of PW and not one with data that you care about first. If it works for your needs then use it wherever.

[kongondo]

@Adrian, I was looking for that module to point to but I couldn't remember the name nor find it in the modules directory ...Yes, that's a good place to start

[adrian]

Hey kongondo - no worries. Maybe it will be ready for the modules directory sometime soon. I just need to find the time to get back to it - maybe this post will get me motivated to find the time - I do think it has lots of potential and most of the hard work is already done

[Hari KT]

Thanks guys.

I will look into this and get back.

Thanks once again for the fast replies.