Developing a new module in DNN 5

1. Open the DNN website in VS 2008, right click the website node in solution explorer, add new item, select DotNetNuke module, name your DNN module, add.

2. Do a Project wide search & replace on YourCompany keyword. replace it with your comapny name of choice.

3. Go to App_code folder of DNN website and rename the 'ModuleName' folder by name of your module.

4. Go to web.config, look for  tag inside and add a directory with name of your module (same as in step 3)

5. Go to 'DesktopModules'> 'ModuleName' and rename it, same as in step no 3.

6. Build your website to make sure that everything is OK.

7. Open the DNN website in browser, login into the Host account.

7. Go to Host> Module Definitions> Create New Module> select Create Menu from: Menifest, select your modulename in 'Module Folder' dropdown, Create Module.

8. Switch to VS2008, open '01.00.00.SqlDataProvider' file in DesktopModules> Your-Module-Name-Folder and copy the SQL.

9. Go to website> Host> SQL> Paste the script copied in step 9 here, check the Run as Script checkbox, Execute. It should reply as "The Query completed successfully!".

 You are done with your new module.

I will continue to blog about how to add features to your module.

Adding a 3rd party module to DotNetNuke portal

And finally I succeeded to add a 3rd party module Smart-Thinker UserProfile and use it in my DNN portal!

Here are the footprints:

   1. Download the module extension from Smart-Thinker's portal. Its Free!!
   2. Login into your portal using host account credentials.
   3. Go to Host> Basic Features> Module Definitions> Install Module at the bottom of the page.
   4. A new screen with title 'Install Extension' appears, browse the downloaded module extension and click next. After passing some confirmation screens, you should be able to install the module successfully.
   5. Now when we have installed the module successfully, we are ready to consume it. Naviagate to a page of your choice in your DNN portal, on the top of the page, select Module: 'Smart-Thinker UserProfile Profile', Pane:Content pane, Title: 'Profile', Visibility: Same as page, Insert: Bottom and click 'Add Module to Page'.
   6. Now on the same page, in the content page, a container with title 'Smart-Thinker UserProfile Profile' should appear.
   7. You can customize it by clicking settings icon in the right bottom of this container.