How to properly extend prestashop core functionalities

[peorthyr]

Good day all. Sometimes I've found some workarounds to satisfy some kind of needs that explain how to extend some core functionality by editing files like tools.php or frontendController.php. The last one I've found that saved my life, was a function to retrieve the name of a cms page starting from its id and the language id:

public static function getCMSTitle($id_cms,$id_lang){
$cms = new CMS($id_cms, $id_lang);
return $cms->meta_title;
}

<li><a href="{$link->getCMSLink(1)}">{Tools::getCMSTitle(1,$cookie->id_lang)}</a></li>

stackoverflow link

 

 

my question is: 

 

Is it possible to think at these modifications in terms of modules? I mean, is possible to write a module that gives a functionality similar to this, so that expose a new method in all the pages and that can be called in tpl files?

and most important, it NOT alter the core code, so the shop remain upgradable, and the module could be upgraded as needed. 

Edited May 26, 2014 by peorthyr (see edit history)

[PascalVG]

You could make a new class MyTools.php, where you add the function, instead of directly in Tools.php, and then use:

<li><a href="{$link->getCMSLink(1)}">{MyTools::getCMSTitle(1,$cookie->id_lang)}</a></li>

 

 

Just an idea...

 

My $0.02,

pascal.

[peorthyr]

that should be a way indeed, nice idea

[Rolige]

Maybe you will need delete class_index.php

If new class_index.php doesn't take the new class, then you will need add it manually

Edited May 26, 2014 by COTOKO (see edit history)

[peorthyr]

is it possible to override the classes in the theme like we can do with module files?

[Rolige]

is it possible to override the classes in the theme like we can do with module files?

I don't think so, because I've never seen anything like that.

[vekia]

you can't override module php files in theme directory, you can do it only with css/js/.tpl files