MOD requests are common with each version of phpBB. Every user wants something different to make their board unique. The problem, however, is that there are more users than MOD Authors. However, with an understanding of PHP and phpBB, you can create your own!
I started out just like everyone else; I knew nothing about PHP (I’m still learning 😀 ), and the inner workings of phpBB were a little overwhelming. However, by installing MODs written by other MOD Authors, I started gaining an understanding of PHP and phpBB. If you don’t understand PHP, it’s a fairly easy programming language to learn – I recommend a good book from your local bookstore.
Next, get a feel for how phpBB works. Looking at the root directory, you get a good idea of what associates with what (viewtopic.php with viewing a topic, viewforum.php with viewing a forum, etc). The exception is the ACP and MCP; a lot of those functions are handled through the includes/acp/ and includes/mcp/ folders. If you don’t understand, try opening a topic in the MOD Writers Discussion forum. There you will find a lot of useful information along with users willing to point you in the right direction.
Once you know what you want your MOD to do and have an understanding of both PHP and phpBB, you are ready to start writing your MOD. There is no “clear-cut” style of coding (each MOD Author has their own), just make sure it follows all MOD policies.
Below is some useful information regarding writing / submitting MODs:
phpBB Modifications Documentation
MOD Database requirements
Coding Guidelines
MODX resource centre (please note that as of this writing, all MODs submitted must be using MODX 1.2.2)
Validation Checklist(a simple checklist allowing you to ensure you MOD passes non-exhaustive checks)
MPV – MOD pre validator (allows you to pre-validate your MOD)
phpBB Wiki
Finally, please ensure your MOD works. The #1 reason a MOD is denied is it simply does not work! Have fun, and enjoy! 😉
This blog post was written by A_O_C (website).
If you would like to have one of your own blog posts that relates to phpBB on this blog, please send me, wGEric, a private message containing the blog post.
You forgot to talk about security, you said “The #1 reason a MOD is denied is it simply does not work! ” I find this statement to be false.. the main focus of accepting MOD’s is not just the functionality but the security and validation. Considering most security threats for opensource projects come from 3rd party plugins/mods, its crucial to be adequate at coding. Giving the idea that anyone can just through together some code and submit it as a new mod for acceptance is degrading to the phpbb project as a whole.