page_base
member functions define our basic tools for page creation and manipulation. Because pagelib is object oriented, we can extend from this base and override any of the functions in order to add new capabilities for our extensions and their pages. Following is a list of the member functions and a description of their purpose. Because both page_course
and page_generic_activity
are derived from page_base
, each of the three page class types defines these functions. In most cases, we can use the parent function. However, we can also override any of these functions as we develop our own page types. Note that later in the chapter we will dig into code examples in order to help fill in the gaps of these brief descriptions.
Moodle 1.9 Extension Development
Moodle 1.9 Extension Development
Overview of this book
Moodle gives you the power to create and customize feature-rich plug-ins. If you can write Moodle plug-ins, you can make it do just about anything. From making the site easier to administer, to new features, to completely changing the way it looks; plug-ins are the method Moodle offers to customize and extend its functionality. This book will show you how to build all sorts of Moodle plug-ins: admin plug-ins, Blocks, Activities, Grading components, Reports, Fliters that change the way your site works and looks. You will develop standard Moodle plug-ins such as Activities, Filters, and Blocks by creating functioning code that you can execute in your own Moodle installation. Writing modular plug-ins for Moodle will be a large focus of this book.This book will take you inside Moodle and provide you with the ability to develop code the “Moodle way”.This book will expose you to all of the core code functions in Moodle, in a progressive, understandable way. You will learn what libraries are available, what the API calls are, how it is structured and how it can be expanded beyond the plug-in system.You will begin by getting an understanding of the basic architecture that Moodle uses to operate in. Next you will build your first plug-in; a block. You will carry on building other Moodle plug-ins, gaining knowledge of the “Moodle way” of coding, before plunging deeper into the API and inner libraries. Lastly, you will learn how to integrate Moodle with other systems using a variety of methods.When you have completed, you will have a solid understanding of Moodle programming and knowledge of how to extend its functionality in whatever way you want.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
Moodle 1.9 Extension Development
Credits
About the Authors
About the Reviewer
Preface
Free Chapter
Moodle Architecture
Creating and Modifying Blocks
Creating and Modifying Filters
Creating and Modifying Activity Modules
Customizing the Look and Feel
Developer's Guide to the Database
Developing Pluggable Core Modules
Creating Moodle Reports
Integrating Moodle with Other Systems
Writing Secure Code
Sending Notifications to Users
Constructing and Displaying Pages by Using the pagelib Library
Building Forms with formslib
Development for the Adventuresome: Web Services
Customer Reviews