Compatibility and dependencies in the ecosystem
Contents
Read the requirements first
A Composer package states what it needs in its composer.json (require, conflict, suggest). Read it before you
install, and do not trust a description that is not backed by it. This applies to whole distributions too: the DXP,
for example, ships no layouts editor, workflow, scheduler or legacy kernel, which its requirements show
(Exponential Platform DXP).
The dimensions to check
| Dimension | Where to check | Page |
|---|---|---|
| PHP version | require.php of the package and of the kernel (PHP 8.0 to 8.5 (PHP 7.4 usable without support) for 6.0.15) | PHP versions |
| Kernel version | require."se7enxweb/exponential" or the README | The Exponential 6 kernel |
| Database | Whether the extension uses SQL that your database lacks | Databases |
| Engine | Persistent workers keep classes in memory; restart after changes | Exponential Velocity |
| Other extensions | Template overrides and settings can collide; the loading order decides | Extension loading order |
| PHP extensions | ext-* requirements | PHP versions and extensions |
Useful commands
composer show se7enxweb/exponential # the installed kernel version
composer why <vendor/package> # which package requires it
composer why-not <vendor/package> <ver> # what blocks a version
./console exp:info --plain --no-logo # every extension with its version, the engine, the cachesexp:info is described in The system card.
When something does not fit
- Look for a newer release of the package.
- Check whether a fork is maintained (Keeping a fork in sync).
- Port it and send the change back (Contributing back with pull requests).
- Ask in the forums whether someone already did.
Related pages
- Packages
- Finding an extension
- Part 4: Upgrading
- Requirements at a glance
- Free documentation: this page is free to copy, translate and improve under the GNU FDL 1.3.
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