[wp-hackers] Plugin dependency checking

[scribu]

On 6/16/09, Stephen Rider <wp-hackers at striderweb.com> wrote:
>
> On Jun 16, 2009, at 4:12 AM, Shane A. Froebel wrote:
>
>> The way I have it "coded" right now is that when the plugin is even
>> placed in WordPress it attaches itself to the 'register' part of the
>> class so it can say 'Hello. I am installed and these are my
>> dependencies
>> based on version of WordPress and Plugins Needed and their versions
>> for
>> me to work properly.'
>
>
> Certainly in the context of this thread, we have moved away from the
> idea of specifying plugin dependencies in favor of one plugin
> providing some sort of function that another plugin can look for.
>
> Certainly within current WordPress plugins it is frowned upon to look
> for "WordPress version x.x"; instead coders are encouraged to look to
> see if a certain functionality exists.  This is because the latter is
> a more robust method.  For example I know that some people eliminate
> the WP Version string entirely for "security reasons" (aside: let's
> not get into arguments as to whether this is actually a security
> improvement!), but if a function exists, then it exists!
>
> Mike Schinkel's argument is correct that even if I program a dependent
> plugin intending it to be used with "Plugin A", it might be entirely
> legitimate for someone to create "Plugin B" that can also use that
> "sub plugin".  This breaks if the sub plugin is checking for a
> specific "master"; but works just fine if the sub plugin says "I can
> do X for you" and the (any) master says "If any plugins can do X, do
> it now".
>
> Stephen
>
> --
> Stephen Rider
> http://striderweb.com/


Now I finally get what Mike was trying to say about why to use
interfaces. (I think we should stick to this term)

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