MODs (phpBB)

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 capitalised to distinguish modifications from forum moderators. 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 MOD Team, headed by Igor Wiedler (known as evil<3>

MODX

MODX is an XML-based document format developed by the phpBB MOD Team that is used to describe the steps required to modify the source code of a web application in order to install a modification. Although it can theoretically be utilised for any web application, it was developed for and is primarily used by MODs for phpBB. The phpBB MOD Team requires that all phpBB3 MODs submitted to its MOD Database utilise the specifications and packing standards of the latest version of MODX, though most other phpBB MOD database sites do not make this an absolute requirement. The primary purpose of using an XML-based format is to better allow automatic installation tools (see below) to read and complete the installation instructions. However, MODX files can also be viewed in a web browser using an included XSL. The latest revision of the MODX spec is 1.2.2, released on January 25, 2009. is Resources and documentation on MODX can be found in phpBB's MODX Resource Centre

AutoMOD

AutoMOD, currently in the second release candidate stage, is a tool developed by the phpBB MOD 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 phpBB installation.

The latest version of AutoMOD is 1.0.0-RC2, released on June 24, 2009. AutoMOD can be downloaded from the AutoMOD information page and support can be obtained in the AutoMOD support forum

AutoMOD is the successor to EasyMOD, a tool for phpBB2 which was also developed by the phpBB MOD Team and performed essentially the same task. The latest version of EasyMOD is 0.4.0, released on June 30, 2008. Support and downloads for EasyMOD can be obtained in the Easy MOD Forum Support

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., 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 cache. UMIL is GPL licensed and currently the latest version is a release candidate. It can be downloaded from the UMIL page

To create a UMI-file automatically, a MOD author can use the Unified MOD Installation File creation tool.