Chapter 19: Working with Plug-Ins
IN THIS CHAPTER
Introducing the Plug-in Manager
Reviewing the default plug-ins and their configuration options
Plug-ins are small, specialized pieces of code that typically run only when triggered by an event. Plug-ins are used as “helper” applications, providing additional functionality or extending existing Joomla! functions.
The default Joomla! system includes 46 plug-ins. They provide a number of significant and useful functions, including login authentication, site search, search engine–friendly URLs, and the WYSIWYG content editor. Although not all of the 46 plug-ins are enabled in the default configuration, the system uses most of them. Several of the plug-ins are essential to the proper functioning of your Joomla! site and should only be disabled if you fully understand the implications and have planned accordingly.
In this chapter I introduce the management interface for plug-ins and then review all of the 46 plug-ins so that you understand what they do and how you can configure them to suit your needs.
Note
Plug-ins first appeared in Joomla! with the release of version 1.5. Prior to version 1.5, the system used helper extensions called mambots. Although mambots and plug-ins are similar in function, they are not identical and cannot be interchanged.
Introducing the Plug-in Manager
Plug-ins are a type of extension. Like modules, templates, and Language Packs, plug-ins have their own dedicated management interface. The Joomla! plug-ins ...
