I created a module installer... It is raw. But it's a start. I learned some Joomla a few days ago, and They have a module installer that does all the work for you. So here is my Drupal version. Unfortunately I just started using Drupal yesterday so I can't give it all the bells and whistles yet.
This installer makes a few assumptions:
1. GZIP lib is installed on server.
2. All modules will be installed in sites/all/modules
The installer will upload the tar.gz to the directory and automatically unzip it.
Now you only have to download a module and go directly to drupal and install it. This eliminates the need to be logged into the back end of your host just to install a module. And eliminates unpacking the file.
This can be enhanced to work on packages as well. Like uploading a starter pack or theme pack or whatever. An example of a starter pack would include CCK, WSYIWIG, CKEDITOR, FCKEDITOR, etc.....
Also, I found a bug or design flaw in the Drupal form precessor that sent me on a wild ass goose chase. $_FILES does not return the standard PHP $_FILES array. The team slipped in an extra 's' and an extra dimension to the array. The extra dim I guess is ok but im a newb so i not going to bitch maybe there is a good reason. However I am going to bitch about the extra 's' it just doesn't belong. they changed the $_FILES["file"] to $_FILES["files"]
The module installer is attached... enjoy.
mike
oh well the upload on this board doesnt allow zip files.... I will create a downloadable area on my own site and post a link back here later.
Comments
Plugin Manager
Might want to check it out
http://drupal.org/project/plugin_manager
This has been attempted
many times and it's always insecure to let the webserver write the PHP files it serves back. Indeed plugin manager is the secure approach.