Question about Integration/Code Support

[DarkScythe]

Hello,

I have an ExpressionEngine blog that I wish to integrate somewhat with a forum software so that users do not have to register twice. It's not an in-depth integration, just needs to keep the member information in sync with each other. I succeeded in writing up something that suited my needs with phpBB2, but soon after, they decided to release phpBB3.

Since I'm basically back at square one with phpBB3 as I'm unfamiliar with it, I went back and took another look at my forum options (IPB, vB and phpBB.) I decided IPB did not suit my needs, so in the end it's down to vB and phpBB again. phpBB is attractive because it is free and code can be freely posted. However, vB is not free so there are restrictions with posting code snippets. While the phpBB support community is able to comment on the inner workings of their code, vB support insists that it is not officially supported, but does recommend this site.

So, to decide whether I should go with vB or phpBB, I'm wondering if this forum may be able to help me with doing something like this. Can I post snippets of vB code and ask for where/how things are/work? I'd like to lean toward vB but it would be somewhat pointless if I can't get it to do what I want it to.

Thanks in advance!

[King Kovifor]

This site has many resources available and will be able to help you through your project. You have several ways to approach this type of project (using vBulletin's user table / data to manage accounts, etc.).

[DarkScythe]

Thank you for the reassuring reply.

Does this mean that I am allowed to ask and post snippets of vB's internal code and ask for help on modifying it here?

As far as how to go about it, the way I did it in phpBB2 was to insert extra code to copy user data into ExpressionEngine's database whenever a user registration was executed, and vice versa.

Thanks again!

[King Kovifor]

Yes, you can request help like that. You may not post full files though.

[DarkScythe]

Thanks! Great to hear - I'll weigh my options toward a vB license.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Most modifications for vBulletin are done using the Plugin System (http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/plugin_system), often no editing of code needed.

Once you have purchased a license, you can get assistence on modifying vBulletin here on our site.

[DarkScythe]

Okay, I have finally decided to buy a license for vB. I hope this goes well - which forum category here should I post for help with such a modification/integration?

[King Kovifor]

Programming Discussions.

[DarkScythe]

Okay, I'll head over there, thanks for the help!

[DarkGizmo]

What's your forums about? :D

and welcome to the vB family! :D

[DarkScythe]

Thank you for the warm welcome! :)

As for what my forums will be about, at the moment it's going to be a community area for members of my upcoming webcomic web site to gather and chat. I don't want them to have to register twice though to join in on everything, so I'm working on integrating the two programs together somewhat to avoid that. One registration should be all that's needed to participate.