# Module Development

## Introduction

Creating a module is a good way to re-use abstract code and templates across
multiple projects. SilverStripe already has certain modules included, for
example "framework" and "cms". These two modules are the core functionality and
templates for any initial installation.

If you want to add generic functionality that isn't specific to your
project, like a forum, an ecommerce package or a blog you can do it like this;

1.  Create another directory at the root level (same level as "framework" and
"cms")
2.  You must create a _config.php inside your module directory, or else
SilverStripe will not include it
3.  Inside your module directory, follow our [directory structure guidelines](/topics/directory-structure#module_structure)

As long as your module has a `_config.php` file inside it, SilverStripe will
automatically include any PHP classes from that module.

## Tips

Try to keep your module as generic as possible - for example if you're making a
forum module, your members section shouldn't contain fields like 'Games You
Play' or 'Your LiveJournal Name' - if people want to add these fields they can
sub-class your class, or extend the fields on to it.

If you're using [api:Requirements] to include generic support files for your project
like CSS or Javascript, and want to override these files to be more specific in
your project, the following code is an example of how to do so using the init()
function on your module controller classes:

	:::php
	class Forum_Controller extends Page_Controller {
	
	   public function init() {
	      if(Director::fileExists(project() . "/css/forum.css")) {
	         Requirements::css(project() . "/css/forum.css");
	      } else {
	         Requirements::css("forum/css/forum.css");
	      }
	      parent::init();	
	   }
	
	}


This will use `<projectname>/css/forum.css` if it exists, otherwise it falls
back to using `forum/css/forum.css`.

## Conventions

### Configuration

SilverStripe has a comprehensive [Configuration](/topics/configuration) system
built on YAML which allows developers to set configuration values in core
classes.

If your module allows developers to customize specific values (for example API
key values) use the existing configuration system for your data.

	:::php
	// use this in your module code
	$varible = Config::inst()->get('ModuleName', 'SomeValue');

Then developers can set that value in their own configuration file. As a module
author, you can set the default configuration values.

	// yourmodule/_config/module.yml
	---
	Name: modulename
	---
	ModuleName:
	  SomeValue: 10

But by using the Config system, developers can alter the value for their
application without editing your code.

	// mysite/_config/module_customizations.yml
	---
	Name: modulecustomizations
	After: "#modulename"
	---
	ModuleName:
	  SomeValue: 10

If you want to make the configuration value user editable in the backend CMS,
provide an extension to [SiteConfig](/reference/siteconfig).

## Publication

If you wish to submit your module to our public directory, you take
responsibility for a certain level of code quality, adherence to conventions,
writing documentation, and releasing updates. See
[contributing](/misc/contributing).

### Composer and Packagist

SilverStripe uses [Composer](/installation/composer/) to manage module releases
and dependencies between modules. If you plan on releasing your module to the
public, ensure that you provide a `composer.json` file in the root of your
module containing the meta-data about your module.

For more information about what your `composer.json` file should include,
consult the [Composer Documentation](http://getcomposer.org/doc/01-basic-usage.md).

A basic usage of a module for 3.1 that requires the CMS would look similar to
this:

	{
		"name": "yourname/silverstripe-modulename",
		"description": "..",
		"type": "silverstripe-module",
		"keywords": ["silverstripe", ".."],
		"license": "BSD-3-Clause",
		"authors": [{
			"name": "Your Name",
			"email": "Your Email"
		}],
		"require": {
			"silverstripe/framework": ">=3.1.x-dev,<4.0"
		}
	}


Once your module is released, submit it to [Packagist](https://packagist.org/)
to have the module accessible to developers.

### Versioning

Over time you may have to release new versions of your module to continue to
work with newer versions of SilverStripe. By using composer, this is made easy
for developers by allowing them to specify what version they want to use. Each
version of your module should be a separate branch in your version control and
each branch should have a `composer.json` file explicitly defining what versions
of SilverStripe you support.

<div class="notice" markdown='1'>
The convention to follow for support is the `master` or `trunk` branch of your
code should always be the one to work with the `master` branch of SilverStripe.
Other branches should be created as needed for other SilverStripe versions you
want to support.
</div>

For example, if you release a module for 3.0 which works well but doesn't work
in 3.1.0 you should provide a separate `branch` of the module for 3.0 support.

	// for module that supports 3.0.1. (git branch 1.0)
	"require": {
		"silverstripe/framework": "3.0.*",
	}

	// for branch of the module that only supports 3.1 (git branch master)
	"require": {
		"silverstripe/framework": ">=3.1.*",
	}

You can have an overlap in supported versions (e.g two branches for 3.1) but you
should explain the differences in your `README.md` file.

If you want to change the minimum supported version of your module, make sure
you create a new branch which continues to support the minimum version as it
stands before you update the main branch.


## Reference

### How To:

*  [How to customize the CMS Menu](/howto/customize-cms-menu)
*  [How to extend the CMS interface](/howto/extend-cms-interface)

### Reference:

Provide custom functionality for the developer via:

*  [DataExtension](/reference/dataextension)
*  [SiteConfig](/reference/siteconfig)
*  [Page types](/topics/page-types)

Follow SilverStripe best practice:

*  [Partial Caching](/reference/partial-caching)
*  [Injector](/reference/injector)

## Useful Links

*  [Introduction to Composer](http://getcomposer.org/doc/00-intro.md)
*  [Modules](modules)
*  [Directory structure guidelines](/topics/directory-structure#module_structure)
*  [Debugging methods](/topics/debugging)
*  [URL Variable Tools](/reference/urlvariabletools) - Lists a number of page options, rendering tools or special URL variables that you can use to debug your SilverStripe applications