hyapadi

Is modules, components, and mambots categorized as hacks? I heard that when u used hacks on your mambo website, u can`t just overwrites all the files when u do upgrade. Is it true? . I used mambo with a lot of modules, components, and some mambots. So can i just directly overwrite all the old files ( mambo ) with the new one? Thx.

mmx

Hacks are add-on changes that effect the core files. This is usually not the case for modules or mambots, but some components are dependent on changes to certain Mambo core files. However, most module do not require core file changes.

One good thing about this community is an interest on the part of developers to keep their hacks updated as new MOS releases become available.

hyapadi

So, how could i know whether the components change certain core files or not?

tonyskyday

If a component requires a change needed in one or more core files, you will know, because you will either have to make the change yourself, or use altered files the component provides.

If a component, module or template just intalls through the installer, then there are no hacks involved. Mambots don't have an installer, but unless specifically stated, they do not change core files.

-Tony

mmx

The component installer will issue an error message if an installer file is not included with the component distribution. If you see an error message, this could mean several things. Generally, it means that a installer file is included in the package, but the installer file is in a separate component archive file packaged within another archive file. This could happen for several reasons.

1) the installable item may also include separate modules along with a separate component,

2) the installable item may include a set of core replacement files,

3) the installable item might include a separate component archive along with a diff file or instructions for hacking core files.

Generally, installable items of this nature include a readme file. You can unpackage the component on your local machine and read this file to learn the installation instructions. In some cases, the readme file may refer you to a message thread on a site or a support site for definitive installation instructions. Different developers seem to handle this in different ways at this point because there are no clearcut guidelines on how to handle such situations. This is being handled in version 5.0 in a manner where there is no guesswork on the part of the user. It's off in the distance 6-10 months from now, so we all have to take the above into consideration until a goof-proof solution is released.