Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

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DavidIQ
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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by DavidIQ »

John P wrote: Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:12 pm Wait for 3.2 but now reading about extensions not working on 3.2 or only for 3.1 etc.
This is not healthy I believe.
The extensions that are "broken" by 3.2 are those that use the notifications system and BBCodes, both of which account for probably less than 10% of all extensions.
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John P
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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by John P »

It's a lot more David, uploading, using extensionmanager for example.
Also a lot extensions are not in phpbb's cdb but running on phpbb for sure. Admins are using them on mass and it's bad they again have to switch only for a new version of phpbb.
phpbb should offer a way to have them compatible and running on both system so there is time to go to the next level.

Here a little example of extension using phpbb

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DavidIQ
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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by DavidIQ »

Sorry I disagree that there is "a lot more". I might be generous and say it's close to 25% or even 30% of extensions but that's pushing it and that includes those that aren't in the CDB. In any case there isn't much to do here except adjust those extensions that need some changes for 3.2 compatibility.
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david63
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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by david63 »

I have to agree with John on this David. I think you will be surprised as to how many extensions will need to be changed, some albeit in only a small way, to work in 3.2.

The developers, probably with very good reasons, change core code which unwittingly impact on extensions and users rely on.

Elsewhere, two months ago, I asked the question as to what provision was going to be made for new versions of those in the CDB - the answer to which is "it is being discussed internally".
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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by Paul »

david63 wrote: Thu Apr 28, 2016 10:39 pm Elsewhere, two months ago, I asked the question as to what provision was going to be made for new versions of those in the CDB - the answer to which is "it is being discussed internally".
And don't you think that if we finished that discussion, that we would have posted a answer? Please do not take something from a internal forum in a discussion about something complete else.

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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by MattF »

Actually, having managed about 20 plus extensions, I can say that David is right.

The only extensions I have experienced that required updating to work with phpBB 3.2 due to backwards incompatibility were 3...2 of which were using notifications and the other was affected by font awesome's changes to the template layout for topic rows.

There are many more changes in 3.2.x that are basically optional, in that you don't have to use them to maintain compatibility with 3.1 and 3.2, but if you choose to use the new stuff, then you force yourself to go with 3.2 (for example using the new $language class instead of $user).

There's a topic explaining the known changes...either mandatory or optional...for 3.2.x in the ext writer's forum.
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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by John P »

Until now for everything I have a workaround or switch except for the notifications.
So the way it is now I have to maintain two version if the extension uses the noti system.
What is better in the new noti system, it has to be in 3.2 without being compatible with 3.1?

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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by RMcGirr83 »

There are significant performance improvements within the notification system.

As many of my extensions use styling I am not sure on how to make the extension work on both 3.1 and 3.2 and use the new styling without using a ton of switches for checking phpBB version or writing additional template files or something.

I just initiated uploading in the National flags extension for 3.1 so I will have to re-write it to be used on either 3.1 or 3.2.

The other extensions, thankfully don't look like they have to be changed except for the composer file if needed. Then again as extensions are supposed to be tested on phpBB prior to uploading into the CDB that would mean an extension writer would have to test their extension on both versions and, I assume, that also means the junior validators would also have to test on both versions as well.
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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by david63 »

RMcGirr83 wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:06 am assume, that also means the junior validators would also have to test on both versions as well.
The current "rules" state that an extension should be tested on the latest released version
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Re: Extension compatibility 3.1 - 3.2

Post by RMcGirr83 »

Hmmmm, well that may cause issues. Wonder how the CDB will handle that, eg
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