Jan 16th 2025 Weekly Meetings

Graham Leach: Has anyone got any experience with the assets in this area of Backdrop CMS?

filetransfer.inc
ftp.inc
local.inc
ssh.inc

If you do, I'd love to chat with you...

Graham Leach: It all starts here:

/core/includes/filetransfer/filetransfer.inc

<?php
/**
 * @file
 * Base FileTransfer class.
 *
 * Classes extending this class perform file operations on directories not
 * writable by the webserver. To achieve this, the class should connect back
 * to the server using some backend (for example FTP or SSH). To keep security,
 * the password should always be asked from the user and never stored. For
 * safety, all methods operate only inside a "jail", by default the Backdrop
 * root.
 */

Graham Leach: How I would approach this challenge:

A) A reference base system should be selected (my preference is Ubuntu, due to market share)
B) The system should be described as a whole, explaining the relationship(s) between its constituent parts
C) A series of visual aids should be developed to support the explanation, to help people who think visually
D) A workflow (step-by-step) should be developed to describe how the system dynamically unfolds
E) A HOWTO discussing the installation and configuration of supporting (FTP and SSH) sub-systems need to offered
F) A HOWTO regarding firewall settings need to be offered
G) A discussion and HOWTO regarding User and Group Ownership & Permissions need to be offered
H) Multi-channel demonstrations of use (Narrative, Screenshots, Video) should be developed
I) A place where people may go for additional information or help should be offered

With the above in place (pre-conditions for success) the system should be achievable.