Geeklog Forums

What is the difference between a plug-in, a hack, and add-on and a block?

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Victor B. Gonzalez -
http://aeonserv.com

A plugin is something that uses Geeklog's plugin API (an interface that Geeklog provides to write extensions for Geeklog). A plugin can make use of some of Geeklog's features (e.g. submission queues, comment engine, ...), so the author doesn't have to reinvent the wheel. A Block is something that, well, displays as a block on a Geeklog site. Usually some piece of PHP code that displays some content in a block, e.g. the Weather block. A hack is a modification to Geeklog's core PHP file(s). While plugins and blocks are not affected by an update, you will need to re-apply the changes for a hack when you upgrade to a new version of Geeklog. The term "add-on" is used as a generic term for all of the above. bye, Dirk

Thank you Dirk... Can anyone give me a good explanation as to why a "hack" is created instead of a equal opportuntiy plugin? I think I got their definitions but what is it a hack can do that a plugin cant? Thanks for any info ---Victor B. Gonzalez

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Victor B. Gonzalez -
http://aeonserv.com

Implementing the GL plugin-API is a bit of a challenge at first so that, often, sways people to just hack up the code. Obviously that is not recommended. The docs offer a good start to explaining the API and any questions can be steered at our geeklog-modules mailing list OR to our IRC channel.---The reason people blame things on previous generations is that there's only one other choice.

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The reason people blame things on previous generations is that there's only one other choice.

I also suggest you look at the Plugin Developers Guide which has a link in the Project Resources Block - upper left. There is a chapter on explaining these differences. Blaine

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Geeklog components by PortalParts -- www.portalparts.com

Simple fact is many people don't read instructions. It's far easier to ask someone else rather than finding the answer yourself. The latter requires work. It's interesting how many want better documentation, but not one has ever spent a little of their time to give specifics or even lend a hand. Someone could write a library on Geeklog and many people would still not read it. How many have ever bothered to read your guide? I have and am using it for my plugin.

Heres another simple fact, some people when they haven't something good to say they'll sign in as Anonymous and mutter something stupid... After all it is far easier to preach some than it is to teach one... Blaine thank you for your input but I am no developer and I have no interest at the moment in developing what I question... None the less thank you for pointing it out... I am contributing to documentation but didn't feel I needed to state it. I have installed geeklog and helped others install it onto their own machines and have written many guides and one for installing Geeklog on Abyss for Windows at http://www.aprelium.com... I have this tendency not to read a developers guide over a users guide... I have no real interest in: Plugin Developers Guide I do have a real interest in: Plugin Guide That single word "developer" singles me out... Probably why I didn't find it... I don't like to waste my time... I am not a developer, I am a user... Search for the following and tell me what you find... hack plugin block addon addon hack plugin block BTW, if Anonymous happens back to these comments tell us, you brown nose and slob doorknobs for fun or for politics? You shouldn't put in your two cents and write checks your profile doesn't want to cash... How about next time you simply say go to this URL or better yet just stay shut and say nothing... Just my opinion...---Victor B. Gonzalez

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Victor B. Gonzalez -
http://aeonserv.com