Testing Joomla Core Features
From Joomla! Documentation
This page has been archived. This page contains information for an unsupported Joomla! version or is no longer relevant. It exists only as a historical reference, it will not be improved and its content may be incomplete and/or contain broken links.
Testing Joomla Core Features:[edit]
Components[edit]
Banner[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Banner" component allows the user to manage banners by Categories and Clients. The "Banners Manager" has three tabs, "Banners," "Clients," and "Categories." The "Banners" tab shows a detailed list of active (published and unpublished) banners within the website. It also provides the ability to add new or edit existing banners and their details. The "Clients" tab shows list of clients and their contact details. The "Categories" tab allows whole categories of banners to be organised and "Published" status changed. Each banner is managed individually with various parameters for essential information such as
"Impressions Purchased" and "Click URL."
Sub Components
Banners
Clients
Tracks
Categories
Testing
On click from the main menu item, the Master pane for the component should open with the default layout – Banners
The page consists of a toolbar, Links Row to sub components and a table of Banners with a filter above it. Banners on the links row should be highlighted in Bold. The table should be sorted by Name by default.
Test Buttons work properly:
New - Test that all fields save and are displayed correctly when re opening the banner. Testing that the permissions work when the banner is open in edit status by other users. Full expansion of all the parameters for this page are forthcoming in the next version.
Edit
Publish
unPublish
Archive
Check In
Trash
Options
Help
Contacts[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Contacts" component allows the user to manage a Contacts directory with regard to the Contacts within the web site. The "Contacts" tab shows a detailed list of active (published and unpublished) contacts. It also provides the ability to add new or edit existing contacts and their details.
The "Categories" tab allows whole categories of contacts to be organised and "Published" status changed.
Sub Components
Contacts
Categories
Messaging[edit]
Functional Overview
Sub Components
New Private Message
Read Private Messages
Newsfeeds[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Newsfeeds" component enables the most recent articles from external web sites feeds (e.g. RSS) to be linked to for further reading.
The "Feeds" tab contains a detailed list of all active (published and unpublished) feeds within the website. Important information is instantly visible such as "Category," "# Articles," and "Cache Time." The "Categories" tab allows whole categories of feeds to be organised and "Published" status changed. Feeds are managed in categories and have various parameters such as "Number of Articles," "Cache Time" and ordering.
Sub Components
Feeds
Categories
Polls – Currently Missing[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Polls" component displays a list of all active (published or unpublished) polls on your site. "Polls" are easily managed with parameters such as "Lag" (time between votes) and "Options" for which visitors may vote.
Search[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Search" component provides statistics on searches performed using the Joomla! Search Plugin. The component provides the statistics as a simple list containing "Search Text" compared to "Times Requested," and by default sorted by "Times Requested."
Weblinks[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Weblink" component lists and provides management controls for controlling Web Links displayed in the Front-end of the web site.
The "Links" tab displays a list of active (published and unpublished) links organised by category and order. The "Categories" tab allows whole categories of links to be organised and "Published" status changed.
Weblinks are managed in categories and have various parameters such as "Target" (e.g. "New Window with Browser Navigation") and "Description."
Sub Components
Links
Categories
Redirect[edit]
Functional Overview
System Info[edit]
Functional Overview
Articles[edit]
Functional Overview
Cache Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Categories[edit]
Functional Overview
Checkin[edit]
Functional Overview
Configuration Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Control Panel[edit]
Functional Overview
Installation Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Language Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Login[edit]
Functional Overview
Mail to[edit]
Functional Overview
Media Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Menus Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Module Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Plugins manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Templates Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Users Manager[edit]
Functional Overview
Wrapper[edit]
Functional Overview
Front End Modules[edit]
Archived Articles[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Archived Content" module allows the positioning of a display of Content Items that have been Archived by a Publisher or above. The Content Itmes are available behind a Month/Year directory list.
The Items are sorted by creation date not archival date. Only those Months/Years with Content Items created in them will be displayed so there will not be a list of empty directories.
Articles - News Flash[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Newsflash" module displays Content Items from a specific Section/Category list. Standard module parameters such as "Menu Assignment" and "Details" are available.
Articles - Related Articles[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Related Items" module utilizes the meta-data associated with each piece of content. The module will display content items with the same keywords, and therefore of a similar subject, giving the user added value to the amount of detail that are able to obtain from a web site. Hence, it is important to ensure that the keywords accurately reflect the specific content in every item, otherwise the advantages are rapidly lost and will significantly detract from the user experience. Less is definitely more (provided they are accurate).
Articles – Categories[edit]
Functional Overview
Articles – Category[edit]
Functional Overview
Banners[edit]
Functional Overview
Both the "Banners" and "Feed" modules are the front-end display mechanism for their respective components. Both can be configured to display specific items on specific pages. Standard module parameters such as "Menu Assignment" and "Details" are available.
Breadcrumbs[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Breadcrumbs" module allows the adition of breadcrumbs to the websites front-end. Breadcrumbs are a navigation aid commonly used in user interfaces. The breadcrumbs give users a way to keep track of there location within the web site.
Custom HTML – Front End[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Custom HTML" module allows the creation of a custom module. "Custom HTML" modules may contain any HTML based content, including text, images and links.
Feed Display – Front End[edit]
Functional Overview
[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Footer" module shows the Joomla! Copyright information in the following form.
Language Switcher[edit]
Functional Overview
Latest News[edit]
Functional Overview
Latest Users[edit]
Functional Overview
Login[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Login" module displays the required fields to login, without navigating to a new page. Default visible fields include "Username," "Password," and "Remember Me." Various parameters are available to change what extra options are available, such as "Remember Me."
Menu[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Menu" module displays a menu that is defined from within the Menu Manager. All Joomla! web sites have a "Main Menu" which cannot be deleted. The "Menu" module allows new menus to be displayed in other positions. The module has various parameters including "Menu Name," "Menu Style," and sub-menu item preferences.
Most Read Content[edit]
Functional Overview
Both the "Most Read" and "Latest News" modules display a list of links to either the most read articles or the most recently added articles. Both are easily managed with parameters to limit the scope to certain sections and/or categories. Standard module parameters such as "Menu Assignment" and "Details" are available.
Random Image[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Random Image" module displays a random image from the contents of a specific image folder. This folder is set via the parameters dialogue. Standard module parameters such as "Menu Assignment" and "Details" are available in addition to certain "Advanced Parameters."
Polls - Missing[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Polls" module is the front-end display mechanism for the "Polls" component. Together, the "Polls" module and component can be configured to show specific polls on specific pages. Standard module parameters such as "Menu Assignment" and "Details" are available.
Search[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Search" module provides the user with the ability to instantly perform a basic search from their current location and to be taken directly to the results. This removes the need to navigate to a search dialogue.
Statistics[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Statistics" module displays a basic list of information about the server and Joomla! Installation. Information displayed includes Server OS, PHP Version, MySQL Version, Time, Caching, GZIP, Members, Content, Weblinks, and Content View Hits.
Syndication Feeds[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Syndicate" module displays a pictorial list of all the Feed types that are available for the web site. The module works in conjunction with the Syndicate Component where the actual feed details are configured.
A website user wishing to add the fee would them simply need to right click the module image and copy the link location to their News Feed reader, or as is more common these days, use their News Feed reader or Browse to automatically add the Feed.
Who's Online[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Who's Online" module provides a basic display of the number of Guests (unregistered vistors) and how many members (registered users that are logged in) are connected to the website at the time the web page was queried. The module can be set to display the names of the Members who are logged in.
Wrapper[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Wrapper" module wraps another web page directly into the website at a specific location determined by the module position. The web page is inserted as an inline frame into the web site layout template. The module can be used to display another web site, but also alternative pages from within the website is is installed upon, as well as allowing completely independent applications and scripts to be run on the web site and output their displays/information as if an integral part of the website.
Back End Modules[edit]
Admin Sub-Menu[edit]
Functional Overview
Administrator Menu[edit]
Functional Overview
Custom HTML[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Custom HTML" module allows the creation of a custom module. "Custom HTML" modules may contain any HTML based content, including text, images and links.
Feed Display[edit]
Functional Overview
Latest News[edit]
Functional Overview
Logged in Users[edit]
Functional Overview
Login Form[edit]
Functional Overview
Popular Articles[edit]
Functional Overview
Quick Icons[edit]
Functional Overview
Title[edit]
Functional Overview
Toolbar[edit]
Functional Overview
Unread Messages[edit]
Functional Overview
User Status[edit]
Functional Overview
Users Online[edit]
Functional Overview
Plugins[edit]
Authentication (GMail)[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Authentication" plugins add different form of user authentication to your site. The Joomla! Authentication plugin involves initially registering at the web site and then confirming your identity through a confirmation email. The GMail Authentication plugins use prexisting databases to authenticate the user. By signing in with a GMail account, steps will be eliminated from the registration process. By default, only the Joomla! Authentication plugin is enabled.
Authentication (Joomla!)[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Authentication" plugins add different form of user authentication to your site. The Joomla! Authentication plugin involves initially registering at the web site and then confirming your identity through a confirmation email. The OpenID and GMail Authentication plugins use prexisting databases to authenticate the user. By signing in with a GMail or OpenID account, steps will be eliminated from the registration process. By default, only the Joomla! Authentication plugin is enabled.
Authentication (LDAP)[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Authentication" plugins add different form of user authentication to your site. The Joomla! Authentication plugin involves initially registering at the web site and then confirming your identity through a confirmation email. The OpenID and GMail Authentication plugins use prexisting databases to authenticate the user. By signing in with a GMail or OpenID account, steps will be eliminated from the registration process. By default, only the Joomla! Authentication plugin is enabled.
Authentication (OpenID)[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Authentication" plugins add different form of user authentication to your site. The Joomla! Authentication plugin involves initially registering at the web site and then confirming your identity through a confirmation email. The OpenID and GMail Authentication plugins use prexisting databases to authenticate the user. By signing in with a GMail or OpenID account, steps will be eliminated from the registration process. By default, only the Joomla! Authentication plugin is enabled.
Button – Article[edit]
Functional Overview
Button – Image[edit]
Functional Overview
Button – Pagebreak[edit]
Functional Overview
Button – Readmore[edit]
Functional Overview
Content - Code Highlighter (GeSHi)[edit]
Functional Overview
GeSHi is an Open Source syntax highlighter program that helps illustrate different code languages such as PHP, JavaScript, HTML, each in a different colour, to assist with the readability of a code entry in a Content Item. This code entry must be encased within a <pre>...</pre> element that defines a block of preformatted code. In this Plugin form, GeSHi is installed with the ability to highlight CSS, HTML4 (strict), JavaScript, PHP,
PHP brief, MySQL, SQL, and XML.
Content - Email Cloaking[edit]
Functional Overview
The Email Cloaking plugin adds a layer of security to email addresses contained inside Content Items and Contacts. The plugin uses JavaScript to effectivly hide the email address when an email address appears as one of the following:
● address@mydomain.com
● <a href="mailto:address@mydomain.com"> address@mydomain.com</a>
● <a xhref="mailto:address@mydomain.com">mail Admin!</a>
All would be cloaked by the functionality of this plugin.
Content – Load Modules[edit]
Functional Overview
[edit]
Functional Overview
Content – Pagebreak[edit]
Functional Overview
Content – Vote[edit]
Functional Overview
Editor – CodeMirror[edit]
Functional Overview
Editor – None[edit]
Functional Overview
Editors (TinyMCE)[edit]
Functional Overview
Both the TinyMCE 2.1 is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors. They allow for the creation of Content Items and editing descriptions among other tasks.
TinyMCE 2.1 is both the default and most feature rich editor. It offers all the features that are needed for standard use. The default editor may be set from the "Global Configuration" dialogue.
Extension – Joomla[edit]
Functional Overview
Search – Categories[edit]
Functional Overview
The various "Search" Plugins enable the Search component to search all types of content on your website. The different plugins are for each type of content, allowing the enabling and disabling of searching the different types of content. Through using this methodology, content stored and managed by third party components can be searched if an appropriate plugin is made available.
Search – Contacts[edit]
Functional Overview
The various "Search" Plugins enable the Search component to search all types of content on your website. The different plugins are for each type of content, allowing the enabling and disabling of searching the different types of content. Through using this methodology, content stored and managed by third party components can be searched if an appropriate plugin is made available.
Search – Content[edit]
Functional Overview
The various "Search" Plugins enable the Search component to search all types of content on your website. The different plugins are for each type of content, allowing the enabling and disabling of searching the different types of content. Through using this methodology, content stored and managed by third party components can be searched if an appropriate plugin is made available.
Search – NewsFeeds[edit]
Functional Overview
The various "Search" Plugins enable the Search component to search all types of content on your website. The different plugins are for each type of content, allowing the enabling and disabling of searching the different types of content. Through using this methodology, content stored and managed by third party components can be searched if an appropriate plugin is made available.
Search – Weblinks[edit]
Functional Overview
The various "Search" Plugins enable the Search component to search all types of content on your website. The different plugins are for each type of content, allowing the enabling and disabling of searching the different types of content. Through using this methodology, content stored and managed by third party components can be searched if an appropriate plugin is made available.
System – Cache[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Cache" Plugin provides page caching functionality. This reduces server load and lag. By caching the pages, new pages do not have to be generated as often, however, the benefits of caching require high traffic levels to be noticeable.
System – Debug[edit]
Functional Overview
System Language Filter[edit]
Functional Overview
System – Log[edit]
Functional Overview
System – Redirect[edit]
Functional Overview
System – Remember Me[edit]
Functional Overview
SEF[edit]
Functional Overview
The "SEF" Plugin adds Search Engine Friendly functionality to the URL links of content items. It operates automatically once published and enabled in the Global Configuration. The plugin operates directly on the HTML code and does not require special tagging to be added by a user.
User – Contact Creator[edit]
Functional Overview
User – Joomla![edit]
Functional Overview
User – Profile[edit]
Functional Overview
Rating -- Missing[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Search" Plugin adds the functionality of a reader rating system to the Content Items in the Front-end of the web site. This is the sequence of 5 image objects that are "lit up" in accordance with the selections made by the Users in the Front-end. By default, this Plugin is not enabled.
Templates[edit]
Front End Templates[edit]
Beez5[edit]
Functional Overview
The "Beez" template is a template that has been designed with particular attention to the standard conformables code, accessibility and flexibility.
This template is an exmaple to demonstrate the new accessibilty features in Joomla! 1.5. It serves as a basis and can be modified and extended as much as you wish.
Atomic[edit]
beez_20[edit]
RHUK Milkyway[edit]
Functional Overview
The "RHUK Milkyway" template is the default template for a Joomla! Installation. The clean design of this template makes it very lightweight and fast. The template has three parameters for setting the "Colour Variation," "Background Variation," and "Template Width."
Admin Templates[edit]
Hathor Administrative template[edit]
BlueStork[edit]
Admin Languages[edit]
English (United Kingdom)[edit]
English (United States)[edit]
Front End Languages[edit]
English (United Kingdom)[edit]
English (United States)[edit]
Libraries[edit]
Bitfolge[edit]
Functional Overview
Joomla Web Application Framework[edit]
Functional Overview
PHPMailer[edit]
Functional Overview
SimplePie[edit]
Functional Overview
Phputf8[edit]
Functional Overview
Testing Joomla Functionality:[edit]
Installation Testing[edit]
- 1 Choose Language
All Available languages are populated in the list of languages
Selection saved when clicking Next and Back
Selected Language can be changed after clicking Back
Selected Language(s) are installed during installation.
Next button takes you to the next step of the installation wizard
Cross Browser check all steps above looking for scripting errors.
Check for any non localized text
- 2 Pre-Installation Check
All parameters listed are correctly displaying the result.
This test requires the changing of php settings and refreshing this screen to ensure that the settings are in fact checked.
Check Again Button works
Next and Previous Buttons work
Cross Browser check all steps above looking for scripting errors.
Check for any non localized text
- 3 License
License is presented in a text area with a scrollbar on the right.
Next and previous buttons work
Cross Browser check all steps above looking for scripting errors.
Check for any non localized text
- 4 Database
Basic Settings
Database Type selector contains options for MySQL and MySQLi
Host Name is a text field – can enter any server name or IP address
Username is a text field – Can enter any valid MySQL username
Password is a text field – Can enter any valid MySQL password
Database Name is a text field – Can enter any valid MySQL database name
Styling for all text fields is identical
Advanced Settings
Remove – if rerunning installation process all existing dbase content will be removed and reset
Backup – if rerunning installation process all existing dbase content will be backed up in tables with the prefix bak_
Table Prefix – Must start with a letter followed by only letters, numbers or underscores.
Validation and error message checking
Confirm that valid error messages are shown when fields are blank or contain invalid data
Confirm data is backed up in bak_ prefixed tables
Confirm data is cleaned and recreated
Next and previous buttons work
Cross Browser check all steps above looking for scripting errors.
Check for any non localized text
Settings are saved when clicking Next then Back
- 5 FTP Configuration
Basic Settings
Enable FTP Layer field contains two options, Yes, No
FTP Username is a text field – any valid ftp username
FTP Password is a text field – any valid ftp password
FTP Root – any valid path, specific for windows and linux tests
AutoFind FTP Path button works returns a result Success or Fail. If Success, the Path will be populated if Fails, popup with appropriate message.
Verify FTP Settings button works and returns a result Success or Fail with appropriate message
Advanced Settings
FTP Host – any valid server hostname or IP address
FTP Port – any valid port number of integer value
Save FTP Password (where?)
Next and previous buttons work
Cross Browser check all steps above looking for scripting errors.
Check for any non localized text
Settings are saved when clicking Next then Back
- 6 Main Configuration
Site Name is a text field
Your E-mail is an email field
Admin Password is a password field
Confirm Password is a Password field
Install Sample Data button works and changes state when pressed.
Validation and error message checking
Confirm that valid error messages are shown when fields are blank or contain invalid data
Confirm that the sample data is installable once only. If you return to the create database screen and move forward again, the button will be enabled again as the dbase info has been cleaned or backed up.
Managing the Website[edit]
Taking the website temporarily offline[edit]
Changing the appearance of your site[edit]
Giving the Front Page a different style from other pages[edit]
Changing the style according to article section or category[edit]
Logging in or out of the Administrator back-end[edit]
Making your site Search Engine Friendly[edit]
Entering search engine meta-data[edit]
Moving the site among directories/sub-directories[edit]
Managing Users[edit]
Setting user registration policy[edit]
Changing user registration settings[edit]
Disabling user registration[edit]
Allowing only manual user registration[edit]
Allowing user registration[edit]
Restricting user access to resources[edit]
Enabling user's registration approval by admins Joomla 1.6[edit]
Customising the Login Form module[edit]
Changing the Login Form module settings[edit]
Enabling the Login Form module[edit]
Assigning the Login Form module to selected web pages[edit]
Customising the information shown in the Login Form module[edit]
Adding a new user[edit]
Changing user groups[edit]
Resetting a user password[edit]
Listing a user on a contacts page[edit]
Dealing with a problem user[edit]
Sending an email to a user[edit]
Sending an email to a group of users[edit]
Sending a private message to a user[edit]
Seading a private message from a user[edit]
Access Control[edit]
Functional Overview[edit]
There are four possible permissions for actions, as outlined below:
- Not set: Defaults to "deny" but, unlike the Deny permission, this permission can be overridden by setting a child group or a lower level in the permission hierarchy to "Allow". This permission only applies to the Global Configuration permissions.
- Inherit: Inherits the value from a parent Group or from a higher level in the permission hierarchy. This permission applies to all levels except the Global Configuration level.
- Deny: Denies this action for this level and group. IMPORTANT: This also denies this action for all child groups and all lower levels in the permission hierarchy. Putting in Allow for a child group or a lower level will not have any effect. The action will always be denied for any child group member and for any lower level in the permission hierarchy.
- Allow: Allows this action for this level and group and for lower levels and child groups. This does not have any effect if a higher group or level is set to Deny or Allow. If a higher group or level is set to Deny, then this permission will always be denied. If a higher group or level is set to Allow, then this permission will already be allowed.