Modifications/Mods - What is a mod: Difference between revisions From Online Manual

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====Extending your forum====
A mod is a set of instructions that performs changes (add, remove, or update) to existing code. Many other systems have this sort of modification, which they call a 'hack' . In SMF, however, a mod package bundles these instructions, and automatically applies those changes by using the package manager.  Mods can modify existing code in the SMF files or can make use of the 'hooks' which have been built into SMF's code own new files and functions to specific spots in the SMF codebase.
While developing SMF, the developers try to balance the software so that it does not contain features most administrators would not want (which would hinder performance), but still stay at a level where it is up to date with its competitors and the internet trends for its time. Unfortunately, it is impossible to always meet the needs of everyone, and certain features and functionality may not meet everyone's needs because of the wide range of administrators that use SMF. Fortunately however, SMF can be extended from its core package so that it can ultimately exceed most administrative needs. This is in thanks to mods (modifications), which are sometimes referred to as hacks, especially in some other web software packages.  


====So what are mods?====
Mods, therefore, make it possible to add additional features to your forum, modify the functionality of existing features to meet your needs, and really do essentially anything, within the constraints of the package manager, to customize your forum.
With mods, you can add additional features to your forum, modify the functionality of existing features to meet your needs, install avatars and language packs, and really do essentially anything that is within the constraint that the package manager will allow you to do to alter your forum.


====Extending your forum the easy way====
Most mods released for SMF can be found on the [http://custom.simplemachines.org/ SMF Customization Site]. For information on installing mods on your forum, please see the [[SMF2.0:Package manager|documentation for the Package Manager section]] of your admin panel.
If you are new to SMF but have used another forum software, you may have had the unfortunate experience of having to manually make changes to the codebase by looking at a file and doing a continuous find and replace of many lines of code. SMF relieves this tiresome burden, with its [[Package manager]], which will automatically install and uninstall mods for you with the click of a button.
 
====Finding mods and installing them====
Most mods released for SMF can be found on the [http://custom.simplemachines.org/ SMF Customization Site]. For information on installing mods on your forum, please see the [[Package manager|documentation for the Package Manager section]] of your admin panel.


<noinclude>[[category:FAQ]]</noinclude>
<noinclude>[[category:FAQ]]</noinclude>

Latest revision as of 20:37, 12 December 2015

A mod is a set of instructions that performs changes (add, remove, or update) to existing code. Many other systems have this sort of modification, which they call a 'hack' . In SMF, however, a mod package bundles these instructions, and automatically applies those changes by using the package manager. Mods can modify existing code in the SMF files or can make use of the 'hooks' which have been built into SMF's code own new files and functions to specific spots in the SMF codebase.

Mods, therefore, make it possible to add additional features to your forum, modify the functionality of existing features to meet your needs, and really do essentially anything, within the constraints of the package manager, to customize your forum.

Most mods released for SMF can be found on the SMF Customization Site. For information on installing mods on your forum, please see the documentation for the Package Manager section of your admin panel.

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