recommended process for developing multiple websites

Hello,

I recently installed MODx have been experimenting with its features. This is my first crack at a CMS and I decided to give MODx a whirl.

I am unclear on how multiple websites should be developed on my local computer (running LAMP). For example, should a fresh copy of MODx be used for every new website to be developed, or should all websites be developed using one installation (with access to all of the templates)?

I’m using the MODx 9.6.3 documentation as a guideline. Are there other resources that would help answer these types of work-flow related questions?
http://svn.modxcms.com/docs/display/MODx096/Home

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

It depends...I have different installs of MODx (running LAMP too) for different sites - but am talking few sites. However, I think I have seen some developers use one site for multiples installs with the different sites housed in containers. In this case, you would have only one domain, e.g. www.mytestingsite.com or whatever, then in this one install create different containers which will have several pages/documents (now called resources) for the respective websites you are testing.

In MODx Revolution there are ways of running multiple sites with different domains in one MODx install. Just for testing your sites, this may be an overkill. On the other hand you are using Evolution...

I don’t think there is a set way of doing this.

Welcome to MODx! Good choice...

cheers/k

Thanks, kongondo.

Is it a supported operation to ’export’ (for lack of a better term) the contents of a container to a server running a single MODx installation?

In my case, websites would be developed for various clients using one single MODx installation on my computer (many websites to one MODx), but I would require the ability to package a single container and put it on a server for the client (one website to one MODx).

Not that am aware of. That would mean exporting only that particular site’s database tables. I’m not sure if there’s a Module/snippet that can do this but probably one can be written using the MODx API. Let’s hear what the devs have to say coz I honestly don’t know; never done this b4,

cheers/k

I recommend developing each site separately. It will save headaches later.

This is a good approach:

Make one install that you use as a starting point. Add a 404 page, fix your settings, configure friendly urls, install custom snippets that you always use, etc.--anything that you don’t want to do again and again.

When you want to make a new site, copy the files from this directory into a new directory and make a copy of the database (this is very easy to do in phpMyAdmin). Then edit manager/includes/config.inc.php to point to the right database.

That’s good information.

This should be added to the documentation (if it’s not already there and I missed it). Is it possible for anyone to create an account and add content to the MODx Wiki?

Yes, I think that it is possible...
at least in the old one, because there is
a new one that I (Confluence) that I think you
need permission to post on it... (have not used it myself).