I'm confused

[clanstyles]

Ok, so if I want to create an applicatin like Fantastico, I am creating a cPanel Plugin correct? (I'm getting confused here ont he difference in a module, plugin and script).

Also, if it is a cPanel Plugin, I can't run it as root? Correct? (Bad security measures anyway)?

 

[cPanelDon]

Ok, so if I want to create an applicatin like Fantastico, I am creating a cPanel Plugin correct? (I'm getting confused here ont he difference in a module, plugin and script).

Also, if it is a cPanel Plugin, I can't run it as root? Correct? (Bad security measures anyway)?

Depending on the context involved there may be a different meaning or description for what may define a specific type of script, plug-in, module, or add-on. From the description provided I believe the item being referred to would be that of a cPanel plug-in. As a cPanel plug-in it would be accessed and executed by the user that is logged-in via cPanel (not that of "root"). There may be other components involved that are not accessible by a regular end-user such as a WHM plug-in or crontab entries for maintenance tasks as found in a number of third-party plug-ins and add-ons.

For developer reference information I recommend the following resource: cPanel Developer Center

 

[clanstyles]

If a Plugin-In is going to add for example "Fantastico" to my account, then YES that is what I want.

I don't understand though how to execute things because.. they are under the current user. He isn't giong to have access to /usr/blah or where ever I choose to store the files that require access. How does that work?

 

[cPanelDon]

If a Plugin-In is going to add for example "Fantastico" to my account, then YES that is what I want.

I don't understand though how to execute things because.. they are under the current user. He isn't giong to have access to /usr/blah or where ever I choose to store the files that require access. How does that work?

To clarify my understanding, are you wanting to develop software like Fantastico, or just install existing software that is already developed by a third-party?

To confirm, do you have root (Server Administrator) access to the system, such as via SSH and WHM access (where the username is "root")?

 

[clanstyles]

I wish to develop something like Fantastico for my clients. I have access to SSH root ect.. I am having issues though understanding since it seems very crossed up in the documentation. Some say use PHP some say use Perl I've read Ruby on Rails.. I think PHP is prefered for these type of things but not sure.. anyways..

 

[cPanelDon]

I wish to develop something like Fantastico for my clients. I have access to SSH root ect.. I am having issues though understanding since it seems very crossed up in the documentation. Some say use PHP some say use Perl I've read Ruby on Rails.. I think PHP is prefered for these type of things but not sure.. anyways..

I would consider using the Install File Generator for the custom cPanel Plugin via the following resource: cPanel Plugins - Developer

Using the the Install File Generator for the cPanel Plugin one can define an access URL for the custom software; this is normally relative to the theme directory (e.g,. relative to "/usr/local/cpanel/base/frontend/<theme_name>/"). The access URL might involve a path that uses a symlink to point back to the installation directory for the custom software (e.g., such as a new custom directory within "/usr/local/cpanel/3rdparty/").

As an example, here is what I see used by Fantastico, that of using a symlink within the theme directory that points back to the install path:

# stat /usr/local/cpanel/base/frontend/x3/fantastico | head -n1
  File: `/usr/local/cpanel/base/frontend/x3/fantastico' -> `/usr/local/cpanel/3rdparty/fantastico'

Another example, as seen by a different third-party product, also makes use of a symlink pointing back to the install directory, but here the symlink is in a different path that is still accessible while logged-into cPanel, as seen below:

# stat /usr/local/cpanel/base/3rdparty/example | head -n1
  File: `/usr/local/cpanel/base/3rdparty/example' -> `/usr/local/cpanel/3rdparty/example'

The custom software installer that you would develop should handle the process of registering the cPanel Plugin and also rebuilding icon sprites as detailed in the documentation; for more verbose details and information regarding the install process of a cPanel Plugin please refer to the following documentation: cPanel Plugins Installation Instructions