Editing PhpBB (section)

==MODs==

MODs are code modifications created by the phpBB community, often used to extend the functionality of or change the display of phpBB. The term is capitalized to distinguish code modifications from [[forum moderator]]s, the latter of which is often abbreviated as "mods". Modifications referred to in this manner are not authored by the phpBB developers and do not enjoy the same level of support as unmodified official code. The phpBB Extensions Team (formerly known as the phpBB MOD Team), headed by David Colón (known as DavidIQ in the community), accepts modifications from community sources for validation, and modifications that meet the Extensions Team's standards are made available for download from the phpBB ''Customisations Database''. Other sites also provide phpBB2 and phpBB3 modifications for download. Some of the sites have their own standards, which they validate to, and other sites do not do any validation, however, the phpBB teams do not offer support for boards using MODs downloaded from sites other than phpBB.com. Documentation for phpBB3 MODding is provided by the Extensions Team.  MODs are not accepted for the 3.1.x line of phpBB since Extensions have taken their place from that version forward.

===MODX===

'''MODX''' is an [[XML]]-based document format developed by the phpBB Extensions Team that is used to describe the steps required to modify the source code of a [[web application]] in order to install a modification.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/mods/modx/|title=phpBB • MODX Resource Centre|access-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511023734/https://www.phpbb.com/mods/modx/|archive-date=May 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although it can theoretically be utilised for any web application, it was developed for and is primarily used by MODs for phpBB. The phpBB Extensions Team requires that MODs submitted to its database conform to the MODX specifications and other policies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/mods/policies/general.php |title=phpBB3 MOD Database Policies |publisher=Phpbb.com |date=January 18, 2009 |access-date=2009-03-09}}</ref> The primary purpose of using an XML-based format is to better allow automatic installation tools, such as AutoMOD, to read and complete the installation instructions. MODX files can be viewed in a [[web browser]] using an included [[XSLT]] file. The latest revision of the MODX spec is 1.2.6, released on December 15, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2167180 |title=phpBB • View topic – MODX 1.2.6 Released |publisher=Phpbb.com |date=December 15, 2012 |access-date=2014-12-31}}</ref>

===AutoMOD===

'''AutoMOD''' is a tool developed by the phpBB Extensions Team that parses and automatically installs phpBB3 MODs distributed in the MODX format. Users simply have to upload the contents of a MOD download to their phpBB source directory and run AutoMOD, which will parse the MOD instructions and make the necessary file changes. Depending on the server configurations, it will either automatically merge the changes into place using [[FTP]], or will create a compressed archive of the changed files for the user to copy into place. AutoMOD is also used by the MOD Team members during validation to ensure that the MODX files are valid and the MOD can be successfully installed on a [[Vanilla (computing)|vanilla]] phpBB installation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.phpbb.com/mods/automod/ |title=AutoMOD information page |publisher=Phpbb.com |date=January 25, 2009 |access-date=2009-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501110947/https://www.phpbb.com/mods/automod/ |archive-date=May 1, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The current version of AutoMOD is 1.0.2.<ref name="Phpbb.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2166504 |title=Current Version: AutoMOD 1.0.2 |date=December 2, 2012 |access-date=2014-12-31}}</ref> AutoMOD can be downloaded from the AutoMOD information page<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/mods/automod/|title=phpBB • AutoMOD|access-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501110947/https://www.phpbb.com/mods/automod/|archive-date=May 1, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and support can be obtained in the AutoMOD support forum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/customise/db/official_tool/automod/support/|title=phpBB • AutoMOD – Discussion/Support|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>

AutoMOD is the successor to '''EasyMOD''', a tool for phpBB2 which was also developed by the phpBB Extensions Team and performed essentially the same task. The last version of EasyMOD was 0.4.0, released on June 30, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|author=TerraFrost |date=June 30, 2008 |url=https://area51.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=29652 |title=EasyMOD 0.4.0 release announcement |publisher=Area51.phpbb.com |access-date=2009-03-09}}</ref> Support for EasyMOD is no longer provided since phpBB2 is retired.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://area51.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=15|title=EasyMOD for 2.0.x – Development Discussion Board|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>

===Unified MOD Installation Library (UMIL)===

The '''Unified MOD Installation Library''' is a library designed to simplify the installation and uninstallation of the database side of MODs.<ref name="https://www.phpbb.com/mods/umil">{{Cite web|url=http://www.phpbb.com/mods/umil/|title=phpbb.com|accessdate=March 10, 2024}}</ref> It is designed to be useful for configuring the forum for the new MOD, performing database actions such as adding and removing tables and columns and purging the forum's [[web cache|cache]]. UMIL is GPL licensed<ref name="https://www.phpbb.com/mods/umil"/> and the latest version is 1.0.5.<ref name="Unified MOD Install Library (UMIL) 1.0.5 Released">{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2166054/|title=phpBB • Unified MOD Install Library (UMIL) 1.0.5 Released|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref> It can be downloaded from the UMIL page.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/mods/umil/|title=phpBB • UMIL :: Unified Modification Install Library|access-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520202539/https://www.phpbb.com/mods/umil/|archive-date=May 20, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> To create a UMI-file automatically, a MOD author can use the Unified MOD Installation File creation tool.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phpbb.com/mods/umil/create.php|title=phpBB • Unified MOD Installation File Generator (UMIF)|access-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521040530/https://www.phpbb.com/mods/umil/create.php|archive-date=May 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>