MODX

MODx is a free Content Management Framework ( CMF) for creating online content. It is originally based on the CMS Etomite and was the first version of a mod of this system, from which the name derives MODX.

The PHP application framework has a slim core, SEO functionality and a backend based on MooTools and MySQL.

MODx was awarded Packt Publishing for most promising CMS of the Year in November 2007. In 2010 it received at the, also organized by Packt Publishing Open Source Awards ranked third in the CMS area. Goal of the developers is a content management framework with object-oriented core that allows web designers a high degree of flexibility and allows the use of the latest AJAX and Web 2.0 technologies.

To this end, the Framework core ( a free extension of the database abstraction layer PDO ) has now been completely rewritten compared to the previous Etomite based on the ORB library newly developed OpenExpedio.

MODX is under GPL and is available free of charge, now also a paid support is available.

  • 5.1 Special features of MODx Revolution

Basic operation

MODX is characterized above all by its adaptability and flexibility. So it can in the example installation of version 1.0.7 Evolution with the extensions ( plugins) for the main CMS functions - Wayfinder, eForm, Weblogin, Ajax Search, Breadcrumbs, Ditto and Jot - be configured. However, these are also interchangeable or can be omitted altogether will. Unlike many other CMS, the parameters of these applications do not need a central and therefore uniformly specified for all created documents with them, but can be set differently in each document.

A major difference to other CMS is the strict separation of HTML, CSS and PHP.

MODX strictly follows the MVC paradigm ( Model View Controller ), which is primarily of interest to developers.

For users, the system is highly customizable, so that even inexperienced editors can easily, safely and quickly manage content.

Templates, template variables, snippets and chunks

Templates

The page layout in MODX based on templates that specify the structure and placement of the content of documents. The number of templates is arbitrary. Each document can be assigned an individual template if necessary.

Templates can be freely designed and W3C compliant. The entire HTML of a page can be freely defined. Dynamic content elements and navigation structures are involved in the templates using a wildcard notation. A distinction is made between template variables, snippets and chunks.

Template variables

Template variables are combined when equipped with one or more templates. A new document is created in the backend, these variables on Linking Template ↔ template variable in the backend can be used in the edit mask of the document. Template variables can either be written directly into the template, or be placed directly in the editor content.

Chunks

Chunks are static HTML fragments ( similar to a text block in the word processor), which can be integrated by means of placeholders in templates or documents. The most important task of chunks is not having to write all the HTML code of a page in a template, but recurring elements (eg, a copyright notice, an address, a related link ), which are used in different templates to outsource. On one hand, new templates from existing chunk blocks can be assembled without having to create all the HTML code from scratch, on the other hand allow chunks the change of a block used in multiple templates in a central place to have to work individually without any templates or documents. Chunks can be template variables, plugin calls and link placeholder, included as content elements, and are thus dynamic. Chunks may contain no PHP!

Snippets

Snippets are also involved with placeholders in templates and documents that differ from chunks but the fact that they are not static HTML fragments, but have their own, based on the PHP programming language and program logic can perform database access. They are the most flexible template elements.

The interaction of template variables, chunks and snippets provides when used properly, the strict separation of the HTML code, content and program logic safe and ensures an extraordinary flexibility and extensibility of the system. MODX is therefore sometimes referred to not as a content management system but as a content management framework. But HTML / CSS knowledge and programming skills in PHP language are needed to exploit the full potential of the system for the development of snippets.

Plugins and Modules

Notwithstanding some other content management systems, only extensions of the back-end functionality are referred to as a plug- in MODX. They are based on PHP source code and are executed on the basis of defined system events. For example, the contained in the basic installation WYSIWYG editor TinyMCE a plugin. Modules are also extensions of the back-end functionality, but are not carried out by system events, but largely integrated independently from the core system. There are several modules, such as to create multiple documents in a single operation or to import and export data.

Security

MODX has not been subject to systematic attacks. User should still always upgrade to the latest version due to become known vulnerabilities.

Versions

Since October 7, 2013 is available with MODx Revolution ( Version Number: 2.2.10 - revolution pl) prepared a new release version of MODX. The former general line of development with the current version number 1.0.10 has also been renamed to MODx Evolution. In MODx Revolution is a fundamental innovation, for the now more snippets available than for MODx Evolution. For productive use, so be prepared two alternative versions.

Special features of MODx Revolution

  • Object-oriented core on the basis of OpenExpedio ( xPDO )
  • Object-oriented and consistent API
  • New manager on the basis of Smarty, Ext ( 1.0) and MooTools
  • Flexible installation and updates
  • Simplified by an expansion packages management ( Package Manager )
  • Unified role model
  • Improved internationalization
  • Concept of contexts
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