should I Write Plugin or Hack Code?

[scowby]

I am trying to write functionality which will send out an email whenever a users post is rejected (i.e. deleted) from the system.

I am wondering if I should be trying to write a plugin, or hack the VB code directly to insert hooks to my code?

Are there any good forums for learning how to write plugins? I am going to need to customize this software to suit my needs, how best can I determine if a plugin is the method I should be persuing?

Thanks!
Reply With Quote

[maximux1]

Hi Scowby,

You're always going to be better off writing your custom code as a plugin or product using hooks when possibly. This will greatly improve your upgrade path when vB releases new versions for security/bug fixes, which can be often sometimes. Hacking the PHP files will lead you to rehack those same files each time a new release comes out.

Some links of interest to you;

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/main/ - vb manual
http://members.vbulletin.com/api/ - vB API DOCs
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=113489 - templates tutorial
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=98009 API Basics Tutorial
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=82835 DEBUG mode tutorial
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=119350 vB Database Class
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=119376 Custom Datamanagers

There's a lot of great help on these boards too! Feel free to ask your specific questions as you progress on your project.

Max