MODx 0.9.7-alpha Development and Testing from SVN
Here are some notes on participating in MODx 0.9.7 testing and/or development. Unlike previous versions of MODx, 0.9.7 will not install directly from SVN. Because of the nature of the new packaging and installation system, you must first create the core installation package using a PHP build script before running the setup.
I’ve also included some other notes on what will and will not work at this point, but please ask questions if you have them. I need to get additional team members more actively involved in the development and testing cycles for this ASAP.
[#] Checkout or export the latest 0.9.7 code from SVN at the URL
http://svn.modxcms.com:8000/svn/tattoo/tattoo/branches/private/0.9.7
[#] If this is the first time you are building from SVN, copy the file build.config.sample.php to build.config.php and edit the properties to point at a valid database with proper credentials. NOTE that this database does not have to contain anything; the build script just needs to be able to make a connection to a MySQL database.
[#] From the command line, change your working directory to _build/ and execute the command "php transport.core.php". This process will take an extended period of time (100 to 250 seconds likely), so be patient.
[#] Once that script is finished executing, confirm that you now have a file named core/packages/core.transport.zip and a directory core/packages/core/ containing a manifest.php and many other files/directories.
[#] Now you are ready to execute the new setup script at the setup/ URL (e.g. http://localhost/modx097/setup/ if installed in a subdirectory of the web root named modx097/).
[#] Make sure you check both the "Core package has been manually unpacked" and "Files are already in-place" options when installing from SVN.
[#] If you change any paths on the Context Paths setup step, make sure and move the corresponding directories as appropriate; this is intended for installs from the core package with files not already in-place, where the installer will place the files in the specified locations (assuming the locations allow the PHP process to write to them).
NOTE: Only new installs are functional at this point.
NOTE: Only the absolute required minimal data is included; there are no documents installed by default, etc.
NOTE: The add-on step will be going away, but for now you can go ahead and execute those to get the sample components installed. Just be sure to use the same options as for the core installation (manually unpacked and files already inplace).
Please give it a try at your earliest convenience and record any issues or problems you encounter. There is a lot of work going on still, and plenty left to go, so expect the unexpected as we work through changes, fixes and refactorings.