Joomla provides a framework with session handling - no need to have an own session class! No hid-
den_session() calls are needed anymore. The existing session class has become the global link formatter!
The functions url and purl are needed to format links SEF or append the Itemid parameter.
5. Separation into component and modules
A Joomla site consists of various elements like components, modules, templates and Mambots - most likely
you will know components, modules and templates. A Component is the Main Part of the Page in the
"Main Body". Can be installed/uninstalled trough the Component Manager and have their own configura-
tion/interface. Modules are sideblocks surrounding the Main body. They can be installed/uninstalled and
configured using the Module Manager. The Main application "VirtueMart" is run in the component part.
The Component contains all core files. The module "mod_virtuemart" was written to provide all important
links so the component can be controlled: Category links, Mini-Cart, Product Search Form, Account Main-
tenance, Admin.
2.3. Joomla Integration
The Joomla Integration of VM is very special, because of its origin. It doesn't completely comply to Joomla's
Component Coding Standards. VM uses some own functions for database access, page navigation, search and
listings. By using old code from phpShop, this little bit of compatiblity can be maintained (so one can integrate
extensions written for phpShop).
3. Basics
3.1. Directory and File Structure
VM holds most of its files in the /administrator part of Joomla. The only files stored in the /
components part of a Joomla site are those, which must be accessible from the Frontend of a Joomla site,
even when the Administrator part is secured by htaccess files.
/administrator/components/com_virtuemart/
Contains file for the administration interface of VM. Because the admin-
istrative interface is also accessible from the frontend, those files are not
restricted to the Joomla Coding Standards. Important files:
• header.php (Code for the Drop-Down Menu of the administration)
• virtuemart.cfg.php (central Configuration File)
• toolbar.phpshop.html.php (controls the administrative Tool-
bar)
/administrator/components/com_virtuemart/classes/
Holds all the core classes which are used by VM Important:
• ps_database.php (wrapper for Joomla's database object
$database)
• ps_cart.php (controls the cart contents)
• ps_main.php (not a class, contains central functions, e.g. for image
upload)
• ps_session.php (basic session management, URL formatting)
/administrator/components/com_virtuemart/classes/Log/Contains a slightly modified version of PEAR's Log class
VirtueMart Developer Manual
3
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