DNN, Formerly DotNetNuke, Tutorial - Part Four (GenericDNN Modules)

Introduction

In this document, we are going to discuss how to create a new project that uses the template for GenericDNN modules. You may have seen a button named “Install Extension Wizard” in the Extensions menu while creating modules in DNN. See below.

Using this button, we can install new modules. From modules, I mean all SQL scripts, code, Module definitions, etc. We don’t need to configure the module from the module configuration page.

Create a new GenericDNN module with a template

1. Copy the attached zip file named “DotNetNuke C_ Compiled Module.zip” to the following location (this will be the template for your module project).
   “C:\Users\....\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Templates\ProjectTemplates\Visual C#\Web” if you are using VS 2010.
   “C:\Users\.....\Documents\Visual Studio 2008\Templates\ProjectTemplates\Visual Web Developer”, if you are using VS 2008.
2. Open VS-2012 and create a New Project
3. Select DotNetNuke C# Compiled Module from the list.
   
4. Then, you will get a template for creating a Module, as shown below.
   
5. The control flow will be.
   

The rest of the things I have already explained in the DNN (Formerly DotNetNuke) Tutorial - Part 3 (Create Custom Edit Page) article. Apply the same codes and designs here, but don’t forget to follow the pattern I have mentioned above.

Building, Debugging, and Installing the module

As we all know, we can build the solution either in Debug mode or in Release mode. Here, if we build the project in Debug mode it will behave like usual; will show error messages, create dll files, etc. As we are creating the installable module, we should build the project in Release mode.

When we build the project in Release mode, the application will create a folder, “Packages”, in the root folder. It contains two zip files <project name><version>_Install and <project name><version>_Source.