Google Summer of Code 2009: WordPress proposal
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Objective: Create a single-file PHP installer for WordPress that will automate the downloading, unpacking, and setup of a WordPress blog.
Reason: As of right now, setting up a WordPress blog involves a lot of fiddling with files. The user must download the archive, unzip it on their computer, open a ftp connection to their server, upload all of the contents, hope that all the permissions are right, and navigate to the right directory. Since WordPress is such a popular blogging software, many people (most of whom are not familiar with a Unix shell or do not have access to one) would benefit from a single-file installer.
Deliverable: One (1) PHP file. No other files can be included with this (unless embedded), since this would void much of the advantage of such a single-file installer.
Basic procedure (a rough plan):
- Instruct the user on the requirements of WordPress (needs hosting with PHP, etc.).
- Instruct the user on downloading and uploading this installer, and subsequently running it.
- Check the server environment for required components, correct permissions, etc.
- Give the user some options on name, location, etc. and solicit other options like database credentials.
- Download the latest WordPress distribution.
- Unpack the distribution to the right place.
- Proceed more-or-less with the “usual” install.