Extensions - where to start

Question

So, been using EE for some time but now want to push the limits and write some extensions and or plugin.

The extension needs to write the entry_id of the entry just published by any user OR the entry_id of the entry if posting a comment - to every members profile (or separate table).

When a member visits the entry, it would remove the entry_id from their list.

EG:

--Install "extension"

----Extension creates new table - exp_member_read_unread (User ID, list of entry_ids)

--User creates a new post or comments on entry

----On save, extension kicks in and records the entries entry_id to each members exp_members_read_unread column. (eg: entry_id column = 1,2,4,99,6)

Background: I'll be creating a server side read/unread visited/not visited since new stuff added - list for each member.

Second to this, I will need another plugin/extension to modify the users read/unread list once visited. That'll be another post I expect.

I can pound away at creating an SQL query but no solid idea on where to start or if an extension is the right approach. The docs are somehwat overwhelming to a N00b and cannot find simple starter examples - so looking to tap the brightest minds where possible :)

Answer 1

Sorry i didn't read all the functionality you are wanting to create. To create all of the things you are wanting to do you will need to create a "module" there isn't a tone of great documentation out there on how to do that but here is a great read and information about the different types of EE extensions and small tutorials on doing so... I hope this helps and answers your questions.

http://ee-recipes.com/articles/page/the_different_types_of_expressionengine_add_ons

At the bottom you can click on each one giving you more info on each.

Here is a link to a easy module tutorial from the same source:

http://ee-recipes.com/articles/details/our-first-module-part-1

http://ee-recipes.com/articles/details/our-first-module-part-2-setting-up-the-file-structure

http://ee-recipes.com/articles/details/our-first-module-part-3-creating-a-database-table

The rest of the series is on the right hand side.