Problems and questions developing first plugin

[Garant]

Hi!
I don't have any experience in developing plugins for OJS additionally there are very few information about how to write your custom plugin.
The task is to output last article's data in the home page.
I took a CustomBlock Plugin as a example. Rewrote SQL and block.tpl to suit my needs.
The problems with which I've encountered are:
1). There is no any control buttons in Block Plugins area.
2). The plugin shows itself and loads only when I access Block Plugins menu. It's better to make that plugin should load only accessing home page.
3). I don't need a sidebar block as it works now. I need to place block.tpl in the home page area.
Can you please guide me through fixing these issues ?
P.S. I've attached the semi working project

[Garant]

So, no one will help?

[Garant]

If I'm right - the third problem could be done using:

Code: Select all

   function getBlockContext() {
       return BLOCK_CONTEXT_HOMEPAGE;
   }


But of problem nr.2 can't check it.

[asmecher]

Hi Garant,

I don't think homepage blocks are currently implemented. Your best bet will be to make your plugin a generic plugin, and look at the hooks in the template files. (Look e.g. at the Templates::Index::journal hook, specified in templates/index/journal.tpl.)

As for why the plugin is only appearing on certain pages, have a look at http://pkp.sfu.ca/wiki/index.php/Writing_a_Block_Plugin, specifically the part about registering the plugin with the database.

Regards,
Alec Smecher
Public Knowledge Project Team

[Garant]

Hi, asmecher !
Thank you for you reply!
I'll examine this!

[Garant]

Done!
Thank you!