Page Comparison

The goal of the module system is to allow other developers to write and integrate code into OpenMRS without having to modify the core code base. Our online Module Repository has been developed to facilitate searching and sharing of modules. For simple user administration of modules, see Administering Modules.

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• A module is packaged java code that can be installed into a running OpenMRS instance and is able to modify almost all aspects of OpenMRS. It can provide web pages, add tables, change how service calls work, and add new functionality (like report options, person attribute types, etc)

Types of Modules

These are the basic types of modules.  Note that these are not necessarily mutually exclusive (e.g., a Community-Owned module may also be a Bundled module).

• Core Modules
  • We Required to run OpenMRS.  When we want to take some functionality in within core and iterate on it more rapidly than the OpenMRS release cycle, we may move it into a core module. This is was the case for the logic module. Core modules must be loaded for OpenMRS to run; if a core module is missing, you cannot start OpenMRS.
• Bundled Modules
  • We have functionality needed by core, but can have multiple implementations or benefits may benefit from the ability to swap in an alternative (ege.g., faster or better suited for a particular site) implementation.  This is the case with the XStream module, which implements the serialization API on which core OpenMRS code depends.
  • Some modules are just generally/widely useful, so get shipped with OpenMRS. We call these "bundled" modules. Examples are FormEntry and HTML Form Entry.
  • In very few cases, a bundled module might be required (e.g., XStream is required because at least one module implementing the serialization interface is required). In most cases, bundled modules are bundled for convenience.
• Community-Supported Modules
  • A module that the community will ensure continues to be maintained even if the author/owner disappears
• Community-Owned Modules
  • A module that the community will ensure continues to be developed, maintained, and (most likely) bundled as long as it is useful to the community.
• Community Modules
  • A module created by anyone and shared with the community
• Commercial Module
  • A module that must be purchased or has a subscription fee to be used.  OpenMRS does not make commercial modules, but the platform supports members of the community creating closed- as well as open-sourced modules.

In general, we would prefer to move toward a world where more & more functionality is done in modules and the core is getting leaner over time – ie, a framework. 

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