How to write Plugins for ARC2

ARC can be extended with third party plugins if those files follow certain conventions, as described on this page:

Name your extension MyPrefix_MyExtensionPlugin, save it as MyPrefix_MyExtensionPlugin.php, and place the file in the plugins directory. The prefix and the extension name must not contain underscores.

If you are using a prefix that differs from "ARC2" (e.g. "MyApp"), you can alternatively place the plugin in a sub-directory of plugins (e.g. plugins/myapp/MyApp_MyExtensionPlugin.php), for example as a bundle including additional files. The directory must have a lowercase name.

If you follow these conventions, ARC will be able to find and include your plugin:

...
$my_ext = ARC2::getComponent('MyPrefix_MyExtensionPlugin', $config);
...

In the class file itself, you should add your name, a basic description, and possibly a link to the ARC and/or Plugin website. You also have to define a parent Class (use Class if you don't extend a particular component).

Below, you can see a basic template for an ARC Plugin.

<?php
/*
homepage: ARC or plugin homepage
license:  http://arc.semsol.org/license

class:    ARC2 My Extension Plugin
author:   
version:  yyyy-mm-dd
*/

ARC2::inc('Class');

class ARC2_MyExtensionPlugin extends ARC2_Class {

  function __construct($a = '', &$caller) {
    parent::__construct($a, $caller);
  }

  function __init() {
    parent::__init();
  }

  /* plugin code */
  ...

}