• Table of contents
• Plugin system
  • Installing plugins
    • Payment plugins
    • Shipper plugins
  • Plugin Development
    • Payment Plugins
    • Shipper Plugins
    • Extension Plugins
    • Calculation Plugins

Plugin system¶

Since VirtueMart v2, the Joomla! plugin system is used form payment and shipper plugins.

Installing plugins¶

During development the the VM2 branch, the plugins are not available as Joomla install packages, so for test environments, they must be installed manually.

Payment plugins¶

At the time of writing, only 2 of the former payment plugins have been converted to the new plugin system. Others should follow soon, all help is appreciated!!

Use the SQL query below to add the plugins to your database (assuming the table prefix is "jos_"):

J1.5:

INSERT INTO `jos_plugins` (`id`, `name`, `element`, `folder`, `access`, `ordering`
  , `published`, `iscore`, `client_id`, `checked_out`, `checked_out_time`, `params`)
VALUES
 (NULL, 'VMPayment - Authorize', 'authorize', 'vmpayment', 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, '0000-00-00 00:00:00', '')
,(NULL, 'VMPayment - Cash on delivery', 'cashondel', 'vmpayment', 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, '0000-00-00 00:00:00','');

J1.6:

INSERT INTO `jos_extensions` (`extension_id`,  `type`, `name`, `element`, `folder`, `access`, `ordering`
  , `enabled`, `protected`, `client_id`, `checked_out`, `checked_out_time`, `params`)
VALUES
 (NULL, 'plugin', 'plg_vmpayment_authorize', 'authorize', 'vmpayment', 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, '0000-00-00 00:00:00', '')
,(NULL, 'plugin', 'plg_vmpayment_cashondel', 'cashondel', 'vmpayment', 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, '0000-00-00 00:00:00','');

Next, when you did not use the svn checkout, copy the plugin files (authorize.php, authorize.xml, cashondel.php and cashondel.xml), located in the folder /plugins/vmpayment, to the Joomla plugin directory. If that doesn't exist, it must be created first.

Now, in the store maintenance, you can add payment methods based on one of these plugins, then click Apply button to display the appropriate parameters in the configuration tab. Note at this moment it is required to select a vendor!

Shipper plugins¶

This is very similar to the payment plugins. Only 1 plugin has been created (again: all help is appreciated!); 'standard', which provides a basic shipping option for postal services.
Note: Installing the sample data does NOT provide shipping rates anymore!

Use the SQL query below to add the plugins to your database (assuming the table prefix is "jos_"):

J1.5:

INSERT INTO `jos_plugins` (`id`, `name`, `element`, `folder`, `access`, `ordering`
  , `published`, `iscore`, `client_id`, `checked_out`, `checked_out_time`, `params`)
VALUES
 (NULL, 'By weight, ZIP and countries', 'weight_countries', 'vmshipper', 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, '0000-00-00 00:00:00', '')
;

J1.6:

INSERT INTO `jos_extensions` (`extension_id`, `type`, `name`, `element`, `folder`, `access`, `ordering`
  , `enabled`, `protected`, `client_id`, `checked_out`, `checked_out_time`, `params`)
VALUES
 (NULL, 'plugin', 'plg_vmshipper_weight_countries', 'weight_countries', 'vmshipper', 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, '0000-00-00 00:00:00', '')
;

Next, when you did not use the svn checkout, copy the plugin files (weight_countries.php, weight_countries.xml, products_countries.php and products_countries.XML), located in the folder /plugins/vmshipper, to the Joomla plugin directory. If that doesn't exist, it must be created first.

Now use the 'Shipping methods' menu item in the backend to add 1 or more shipping methods. Give a shipping method name, select the shipping method,and click Apply button to display the appropriate parameters in the configuration tab. All you need to do here is give the shipper a name and select a vendor (this is optional; when no vendor is selected, this carrier is valid for all vendors).
Make sure a there's always a valid shipping rate: the plugin must be able to find a matching rate based on the shipto address!

Plugin Development¶

All plugins for VirtueMart should be developed confirming the Joomla! plugin development methods. Refer to http://docs.joomla.org/Tutorial:Plugins for developers documentation for Joomla! plugins.

Payment Plugins¶

Shipper Plugins¶

Extension Plugins¶

Calculation Plugins¶