When and how does ps_mbo module get installed?

[elboletaire]

I'm pretty new to prestashop 1.7, and I've been following all the "getting started" guides trying to get a proper local development environment. The thing is, there's something bugging me hard: the `ps_mbo` module (the one which shows the Module Manager in the admin panel).

This module is not listed in composer.json file, so it ain't installed via composer. Also, there's no "repositories" entry in composer, so it's neither manually added, and it's not registered on packagist, so there's no way to install it through composer (unless I specify a repository entry on the composer.json file).

I've tried git, zip and docker installations (1.7.6.x always), and the results are the same: either it magically appears in the modules folder, or it doesn't appear, making the admin show the button, but obviously it doesn't work when you click on it as there's no module in the system.

So... could anyone explain me:

• How am I supposed to work on a local environment, if there are modules which magically appear on the `modules` folder (which is ignored by .gitignore)?
• When and how is this ps_mbo actually installed?? -as I've been trying to track it with no luck; the only mentions I've been finding to it where mere translations and a minor if in the ps_themecusto module, chosing between ps_mbo and another module manager of which I neither have found any information.

Thanks in advance :_)

Edited May 1, 2020 by elboletaire (see edit history)

[Matt75]

5 hours ago, elboletaire said:

 

• How am I supposed to work on a local environment, if there are modules which magically appear on the `modules` folder (which is ignored by .gitignore)?
• When and how is this ps_mbo currenctly installed?? -as I've been trying to track it with no luck; the only mentions I've been finding to it where mere translations and a minor if in the ps_themecusto module, chosing between ps_mbo and another module manager of which I neither have found any information.

Installer get it here : https://github.com/PrestaShop/PrestaShop/blob/270ed6f80fad51036441a381e351de86858c163c/src/PrestaShopBundle/Install/Install.php#L996

PrestaShop need to be installed with access of network : https://devdocs.prestashop.com/1.7/basics/installation/system-requirements/#extensions

Quote

CURL. The Client URL extension is used to download remote resources like modules and localization packages.

allow_url_fopen enabled. This directive enables PrestaShop to access remote files, which is an essential part of the payment process, among others things. It is therefore imperative to have it set to On.

There a project to solve this problem : https://github.com/PrestaShop/PrestaShop/issues/10456

Make the software installable without the PrestaShop company server : https://github.com/PrestaShop/open-source/issues/14

[elboletaire]

Ok, thanks @Matt75. Now I can see where the magic happens. I guess this answers both questions, as if it's working magically there's no actual way to properly work locally other than adding those modules to git.

It is really confusing to start working on prestashop when the .gitignore has a lot of files ignored that are required and can't otherwise be retrieved between different environments.

BTW, this is the real issue: https://github.com/PrestaShop/PrestaShop/issues/12586

(Not) having all modules as composer addons is my problem. I don't care about having or not an internet connection; it's actually a weird use case for me not having internet connection to install prestashop.

I have also found an "official documentation" stating this https://github.com/PrestaShop/ADR, specifically this file: https://github.com/PrestaShop/ADR/blob/master/0002-mixed-use-of-composer-and-zip-modules.md 

[Matt75]

Yes, as you see on GitHub, we know and we work on it.

For example, a new version of ps_mbo is actuality in test with few improvements to improve network resilience : https://github.com/PrestaShopCorp/ps_mbo/pull/89

Module Catalog page will be handled by ps_mbo when a new API for PrestaShop Addons marketplace will be ready, for now have to do with legacy system based on xml files...

We have yet a lot of work to resolve all issues about network connection requirement, we are a small team and have many projects so we have to prioritize some.

We are an open source project, if a you have some free time and skills, don’t hesitate to contribute on GitHub

[elboletaire]

Yeah I'm aware of that PR too.

I'd love helping you guys with it, but the truth is I first need to understand how it works, and it's being a PITA due to its current state (as I do need to track stuff in the code because it isn't documented).

BTW, are there any other documentation resources, apart from those ADR markdown files I did found on github and the official 1.7 documentation hosted in https://devdocs.prestashop.com? For version 1.7, ofc.