[Koha-devel] 3.0 Code Audit: Web Installer

[Joshua M. Ferraro]

Hi folks,

Ryan and I have started a code audit of Koha 3.0 and we have
the results of the first module in that audit, the new Web
Installer.

A few months back we decided to split installation into two
types: system-level, and librarian-level. The web installer
is the first example of a librarian interface to 
installation. It was written by Henri-Damien, so first off, 
I'd like to thank Henri-Damien and the French team for 
devoting resources to this very important component of Koha.
 
The new Web Installer allows a systems person to download
Koha, install dependencies, set up Apache, create the MySQL
database, add a user with permissions, and then hand the
rest of the install process over to a librarian to be 
completed via a web interface.

This web-based installer will check the dependencies, create
the table definitions and constraints, allow the user to
pick frameworks and other default settings to import, upgrade
the db definition using updatedatabse, etc.

We have a list of items that need to be improved before we
sign off on the Web Installer as ready for 3.0. These items
have all been entered into bugzilla as 'blocker' bugs. There
are some additional items we'd like to improve that aren't
bockers but that would be nice. These are also listed in 
bugzilla. Here are the blocker bugs:

1298: Web installer uses platform-specific elements
1302: Web Installer should check a conf variable to determine
if Koha's already been installed
1303: Before web installer is run, opac and intranet interfaces
should redirect to the installer

Henri-Damien has agreed to do 1302 and 1303 this week. We could
use some help on 1298, any volunteers? There are also a couple
of 'wish list' items: 

1304: Remove system call to mysql from Web Installer. 
1305: Add error checking to web installer

Any takers?

OK, gonna get back to the audit, let me know if you have questions
or ideas.

Cheers,

-- 
Joshua Ferraro                       SUPPORT FOR OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE
President, Technology       migration, training, maintenance, support
LibLime                                Featuring Koha Open-Source ILS
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