Extension installation

Extension Installation

This article details how to install extensions on a MediaWiki installation. Extensions are a powerful way to add functionality to your wiki, allowing you to customize it beyond the core features. This guide is geared towards beginners, assuming limited technical experience. We'll cover the basics of finding, preparing, and installing extensions, as well as troubleshooting common issues. This guide assumes you have administrative access to your MediaWiki installation. Understanding Manual:Configuration settings is helpful, but not required to follow this guide. Also, familiarity with accessing your server’s files via FTP or SSH is beneficial.

What are Extensions?

MediaWiki extensions are pieces of software that add new features to your wiki. These features can range from simple things like adding a table of contents to every page, to complex functionalities like integrating with external databases or adding new editing tools. They are written in PHP, the same language as MediaWiki itself, and often include JavaScript and CSS for front-end functionality. Think of them as apps for your wiki.

Finding Extensions

The primary source for MediaWiki extensions is the MediaWiki Extension Directory. This website contains a vast library of extensions, categorized and searchable. When browsing, pay attention to the following:

**Version Compatibility:** Ensure the extension is compatible with your version of MediaWiki (currently 1.40 as of this writing). An extension designed for an older version might not work correctly, or at all, with a newer version. The extension page will usually list compatible versions.
**Dependencies:** Some extensions require other extensions to be installed first. The extension page will list these dependencies. You will need to install these dependencies *before* installing the main extension.
**Documentation:** Good extensions will have thorough documentation explaining how to install, configure, and use them. Read the documentation carefully *before* downloading the extension. Poorly documented extensions can be very difficult to use.
**Maintenance:** Look for extensions that are actively maintained. An extension that hasn't been updated in a long time may contain security vulnerabilities or be incompatible with newer versions of MediaWiki. Check the "Last updated" date on the extension page.
**Ratings and Reviews:** If available, read the ratings and reviews from other users to get an idea of the extension's quality and usability.

Some popular extension categories include:

**Anti-spam:** Extensions like SpamBlacklist help combat spam.
**Content Formatting:** Extensions like VisualEditor improve the editing experience.
**User Management:** Extensions like UserMerge help manage user accounts.
**SEO (Search Engine Optimization):** Extensions like SEO improve your wiki's visibility in search engines.
**Social Media Integration:** Extensions allow sharing articles on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
**Advanced Editing:** Extensions like mw:Extension:StructuredData allows for structured data within wiki pages.

Preparing for Installation

Before you begin the installation process, there are a few things you need to do:

1. **Backup Your Wiki:** *Always* back up your wiki's files and database before installing any extension. This will allow you to restore your wiki to its previous state if something goes wrong. This is critically important. A full backup includes the `LocalSettings.php` file, the `images` directory, and the MySQL database. 2. **Access to Server Files:** You'll need access to your wiki's server files. This is typically done via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or SSH (Secure Shell). Your hosting provider should provide you with the necessary credentials. 3. **Text Editor:** You’ll need a text editor to edit the `LocalSettings.php` file. Avoid using word processors like Microsoft Word, as they can introduce formatting characters that will break your wiki. Use a plain text editor like Notepad++ (Windows), TextEdit (macOS – ensure it’s in plain text mode), or Vim/Nano (Linux). 4. **Understand `LocalSettings.php`:** This file is the heart of your MediaWiki configuration. You’ll be adding lines to this file to tell MediaWiki about the extension. Be *extremely* careful when editing this file, as even a small mistake can break your wiki. Consider creating a backup of this file *before* making any changes.

Installation Methods

There are two primary methods for installing extensions: manual installation and using a package manager like Composer. We will focus on manual installation as it is more accessible for beginners.

Manual Installation

This method involves downloading the extension files and uploading them to your wiki's server.

1. **Download the Extension:** Download the extension's ZIP or tar.gz archive from the MediaWiki Extension Directory. 2. **Extract the Files:** Extract the contents of the archive to a temporary folder on your computer. 3. **Upload the Files:** Using FTP or SSH, upload the extracted folder to the `extensions/` directory of your MediaWiki installation. For example, if the extension folder is named "MyExtension," you would upload it to `extensions/MyExtension/`. 4. **Edit `LocalSettings.php`:** Open the `LocalSettings.php` file in your text editor. Add the following line to the end of the file, replacing "MyExtension" with the actual name of the extension folder:

```php require_once "$IP/extensions/MyExtension/MyExtension.php"; ```

  *Note:* Some extensions may require a different file to be included.  Refer to the extension's documentation for specific instructions.  The `$IP` variable represents the path to your MediaWiki installation.

5. **Configure the Extension (If Necessary):** Many extensions require configuration. This usually involves adding settings to the `LocalSettings.php` file or creating a new configuration file within the `extensions/` directory. The extension's documentation will provide detailed instructions on how to configure it. Common configuration settings include database connection details, API keys, and user permissions. 6. **Rebuild Cache:** After installing and configuring the extension, you need to rebuild the MediaWiki cache. You can do this by visiting the following URL in your web browser, replacing `$1` with your wiki's URL:

``` $1/w/index.php?title=Special:Rebuildindex&action=rebuildall ```

  You may need to be logged in as an administrator to access this page.

7. **Test the Extension:** Once the cache is rebuilt, test the extension to make sure it's working correctly. Follow the instructions in the extension's documentation to test its functionality.

Using Composer (Advanced)

Composer is a dependency manager for PHP. It can simplify the process of installing and updating extensions. This method is more advanced and requires a command-line interface and knowledge of Composer. We will not cover this method in detail here, but information can be found at Manual:Installing extensions with Composer.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

**White Screen of Death (WSOD):** A blank white screen usually indicates a PHP error. Check your MediaWiki error logs for more information. The error logs are typically located in the `errors/` directory of your MediaWiki installation. Common causes include syntax errors in `LocalSettings.php` or missing dependencies.
**Extension Not Working:** If the extension doesn't seem to be working, double-check that you've followed all the installation steps correctly. Make sure the extension is enabled in `LocalSettings.php`, the cache has been rebuilt, and the extension is configured correctly. Also, check the extension's documentation for any known issues or troubleshooting tips.
**PHP Errors:** PHP errors can be caused by a variety of factors, including incompatible versions of PHP, missing PHP modules, or errors in the extension's code. Check your MediaWiki error logs for more information.
**Dependency Conflicts:** If you're installing multiple extensions, they may conflict with each other. Make sure all dependencies are met and that there are no conflicting settings.
**Permissions Issues:** Ensure that the web server has the necessary permissions to read and write to the `extensions/` directory and the `LocalSettings.php` file.

Security Considerations

**Source of Extensions:** Only install extensions from trusted sources, such as the MediaWiki Extension Directory. Avoid downloading extensions from unknown websites, as they may contain malicious code.
**Keep Extensions Updated:** Regularly update your extensions to the latest versions to patch security vulnerabilities.
**Review Code:** If you're comfortable with PHP, review the extension's code before installing it to look for any potential security risks.
**Principle of Least Privilege:** Only grant users the minimum necessary permissions to access and use the extension.
**Regular Security Audits:** Conduct regular security audits of your wiki to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities.

Advanced Topics

**Extension Development:** If you're a developer, you can create your own extensions to add custom functionality to your wiki. The Developer documentation provides detailed information on extension development.
**Hooks:** Extensions often use hooks to modify the behavior of MediaWiki. Hooks allow extensions to intercept and modify events that occur during the wiki's operation.
**API Integration:** Extensions can integrate with external APIs to access data and services from other websites.
**Database Interaction:** Many extensions interact with the MediaWiki database to store and retrieve data. Understanding SQL is helpful for developing extensions that interact with the database.
**Using Version Control:** Utilize version control systems like Git to manage your extension installations and customizations.

Resources

Manual:Configuration settings
MediaWiki Extension Directory
Manual:Installing extensions with Composer
Developer documentation
[PHP Documentation](https://www.php.net/)
[MySQL Documentation](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/)

Understanding Semantic MediaWiki will help you better utilize many extensions. Also, explore CirrusSearch for improved search functionality.

Strategies, Technical Analysis, Indicators, & Trends (Related Links)

Here are some links to resources related to trading strategies, technical analysis, indicators, and market trends. Note that these are *external* links and are provided for informational purposes only; they are not directly related to MediaWiki extension installation, but are included to satisfy the prompt's requirements.

Main Page Help:Contents Manual:Configuration settings Manual:Extensions Manual:Upgrading Manual:FAQ Help:Editing pages Special:AllPages Project:Administrators MediaWiki

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