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Writing OpenCart modules can be a very good way to learn how the fundamentals of OpenCart actually work. Just as the rest of OpenCart, modules follow the MVCL design pattern. This documentation guide will describe how you use each of the MVC-L components to create the admin and frontend parts of your module. The easiest way to create a module is to download the DIY Module Builder skeleton from HostJars. This module contains the directory structure, files, and instructions on how to understand and build your own modules. This page is a more theoretical guide.

Basic directory structure

The basic file structure for your module will be divided into two sections, the admin and the catalog folders. The contents of each folder will follow the MVC-L framework respectively, with the difference that the admin will deal solely with backend functionality, and the catalog with frontend functionality. Users of your module will interact and configure its settings in the administration side of the store. Therefore, the files in the admin folder will handle any changes to its settings, the way the module is displayed in the administration, install/uninstalling the module, etc. Likewise, the way the module is displayed and how it works in the front end of the store will be handled by the files in the catalog folder.

Admin module functionality

When a store owner uses your module, they will want to edit the module's configuration options in the admin in order to decide which layouts to display the module on, whether it is enabled or disabled, and any module specific options. As the module developer, you will need to create the admin page where the module may be edited and the configuration options added or adjusted.

All admin files are located in the admin/ folder. You will find four folders within the admin/ folder:

1. controller
2. view
3. language
4. model

All modules will require at least a single file in each of the view and controller folders. Most will require a file in each of the model and language folders. Usually the files have the same name, except the view file has a different suffix (.tpl). We will go through these files one by one.