This common text is used in both the install and upgrade articles. 1 numbered parameter, the possible values are:

• install (default)
• upgrade
• update

Extract and Upload the Install Archive

Once the install archive has been downloaded, it will need to be uploaded and extracted before the installer can be executed. Wherever the files are extracted -- that's where your forum will be located.

There are two methods for this step. Choose a method depending on the tools you have available, and what you feel comfortable with. You may use an FTP client (be sure to upload in binary) or the tools your host provides from your account's control panel.

For more information on the control panel supplied by your hosting service, please see the documentation provided by your hosting service. For more information on FTP, please see How do I use FTP

SMF can be uploaded to the site root, or to a directory on the site, such as www.yourdomain.com/forum

Uploading Before Extracting

Some control panels, such as cPanel, have the ability to extract an archive. This allows for hassle free uploading and extraction of the archive. Once the archive is uploaded, select the extract option to extract the archive to the desired location -- the directory where you want your forum to be located.

Extracting Before Uploading

If extracting abilities are not available inside the control panel, the archive can be extracted before uploading. Generally, right-clicking the archive and selecting the "Extract All" option will work. The directory structure should be retained when the install archive is extracted, so all files and directories are in the correct places. Afterwards, using an FTP client (set for binary transfer), select all the files and folders and copy them to the directory where you want to locate your forum.