Enhancing Your Website with Web Applications

You can significantly enhance your website\'s capabilities by integrating various web applications. Applications installed on a website can serve multiple purposes, catering to diverse needs. For individuals, these apps might enable you to establish a dynamic blog presence or efficiently manage an online storage solution for your media files. For businesses, leveraging e-commerce or CRM web applications can provide robust tools to expand operations and engage customers online. These powerful applications are readily available for installation directly from the Applications section within your control panel, offering a seamless way to extend your website\'s features.

The specific array of applications accessible to you is determined by the provisions of your hosting plan. This might include a selection of free applications, commercial options, or a combination, depending on your subscription. For comprehensive details regarding the applications included in your plan, please consult your hosting provider.

App Types

Web applications are generally categorized into two main types based on their deployment method:

• Applications installed directly within your website\'s environment (for example, the WordPress blogging platform or the Joomla! content management system). These apps run on your hosting server, giving you more direct control over their files and databases.
• Applications hosted on external servers and offered by third-party providers. These are typically SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions, where the provider manages the infrastructure, and you access the service through an integrated link.

Irrespective of their installation method, applications can be either free or commercial. While free applications offer immediate utility without cost, commercial applications typically necessitate the acquisition of a valid license key before they can be fully utilized, often providing advanced features and dedicated support.

App Installation and Maintenance

The installation process for web applications is streamlined and fully automated, requiring no specialized technical expertise. This ease of installation ensures that users can quickly deploy new functionalities to their websites. Detailed instructions on installing web applications from your control panel are provided in the \'Installing Apps\' section below.

Ongoing application management is also significantly simplified, as you can effortlessly update or remove applications directly within the platform interface. Furthermore, certain applications expose specific functionalities directly to the control panel, eliminating the need to log into each application separately. For instance, you might be able to add user accounts for a CRM application directly from your control panel. This integrated application functionality is commonly referred to as a service provided by the application.

Once an application is installed, it is advisable to grant access to any additional user accounts that require its functionality. This ensures that team members or collaborators can utilize the app effectively. For a comprehensive guide on managing your applications, please refer to the \'Managing Apps\' section.

App Databases

Should an application necessitate a database for its operation, the platform automatically provisions it during the installation process, simplifying the setup. The platform utilizes application database settings to create these databases, which can be modified within the Main configuration section (accessible via the Show All Settings link) during application installation. These settings include:

• The database name and the designated database server where the application\'s data will reside, ensuring optimal performance and data integrity.
• Database user credentials that the platform will use to access the application\'s database. For convenience and efficient management, it is often practical to establish a single database user with access to multiple databases. You can create a universal user account and specify it during application installations, streamlining credential management.

It\'s important to note that if your subscription exceeds the maximum allowed number of databases, a newly installed application will not create a new database. Instead, it will add its tables to an existing database, incorporating prefixes to the table names. These prefixes serve to clearly differentiate tables belonging to various applications within a single database, helping to avoid conflicts and maintain organization. For example, the WordPress application typically adds the “ _wpress\__ ” prefix to its table names.

Access to Apps

Upon installation, an application is, by default, accessible exclusively to users holding the Owner role. This default setting provides an initial layer of security and control. However, you have the flexibility to extend access to your applications to specific additional users by modifying their permissions. Comprehensive details on configuring application access for these users can be found in the \'Granting Additional Users Access to Apps\' section, allowing for tailored access control.

Apps and Additional User Accounts

Certain applications offer the capability to create and manage user accounts directly within the control panel interface, bypassing the need to log into the application itself. For instance, a CRM application might enable you to add user accounts without the necessity of logging into the application. Applications providing such “account services” can facilitate the association of their internal accounts with users of your subscription, including additional users, thereby streamlining user management. To establish such an association, you must grant these additional users access to the specific account service, mirroring the process for granting access to the applications themselves. Further details on account association are provided in the \'Linking Apps and Additional User Accounts\' section.

Installing Apps

Depending on your specific requirements and technical proficiency, you can select one of the following methods for application installation:

• Quick Installation

  This method represents the most straightforward approach to installing an application. Opting for a quick installation means the platform will execute a standard installation of the latest available application version, utilizing default values for its settings. For instance, your existing control panel access credentials may be employed as the application administrator’s credentials. It’s worth noting that some applications may still require you to input specific settings even when performing a quick installation, ensuring basic configurations are met.

• Custom Installation

  This option provides greater control, allowing you to personalize various application installation settings. These include administrator credentials, installation location, the installation path, and other advanced configurations. Custom installation is particularly recommended if you intend to disable automatic upgrades for the application, giving you full control over when updates are applied.

  Note

  Many applications may not function correctly if the safe_mode PHP directive is enabled. To verify if safe_mode is active for your account, navigate to Websites & Domains, select PHP settings, and then look for safe_mode within the Common settings section. If safe_mode is enabled, it should be disabled. If you encounter difficulties in modifying these PHP settings, please contact your hosting provider for assistance.

To proceed with application installation:

1. Access the Applications section and locate the desired application.
2. Initiate the installation by clicking either the Install button for a quick setup or Install (Custom) for a tailored installation.

3. _(Optional)_ Disable automatic application upgrades.

   If you prefer to manage updates manually and prevent automatic app updates, deselect the option Automatically update this app when updates are available on the installation settings page.

4. _(Optional)_ Choose a specific application version.

   There are instances where installing a particular application version is necessary, for example, when using extensions or plugins that are incompatible with the most recent release. In such situations, click on the application name, then select Install version to choose your required version, and proceed with the installation.

Managing Apps

Typically, all installed applications enable the configuration of their primary parameters directly within the control panel. This centralized approach simplifies management and reduces the need to access individual application interfaces. You can access an application’s settings by selecting it from the list found in Applications > Manage My Applications. Once an application is selected, you can configure the following aspects:

• General Settings

  These encompass fundamental configurations, such as the application administrator password, which can be modified via Change Settings. This ensures you can maintain secure access and control over your applications.

• Service Settings

  When an application extends a portion of its functionality to the control panel through services, you gain the ability to configure these services. For instance, a CRM application might facilitate the creation of user accounts, offering this capability as a service within the control panel. By selecting this service under Provided services, you can view existing application user accounts and create new ones. For certain applications, it’s also possible to associate these application accounts with additional user accounts from your subscription, further integrating your system. Further details on account association are available in the \'Linking Apps and Additional User Accounts\' section.

Granting Additional Users Access to Apps

As a default measure, following the installation of an application, access is limited to users who possess the Owner role. This ensures that administrative control remains with the primary account holder. To extend application access to other users within your subscription:

1. Grant the necessary permissions to access the application to a designated user group within Users > User Roles.
2. Ensure that you add the desired users to this specific group.

After granting users access, a direct link to the application will appear on their Websites & Domains page, displayed beneath the name of the relevant website, providing them with convenient entry. It’s important to understand that application access is managed solely through user groups. Therefore, you will need to either modify the permissions of an existing group or create a new group and subsequently assign users to it, allowing for flexible access management.

The application administrator, by default, is a subscription user holding the Owner role. Beyond accessing applications from the Websites & Domains page, this user also possesses the authority to install and manage applications across the entire subscription. For these administrative functions, their interface includes a dedicated Applications page. You can extend these same administrative privileges to other subscription users by assigning the Install and manage applications permission to their respective roles within Users > User Roles. This grants users comprehensive administrative access to all applications within a subscription. Similar to the primary administrator, users with this permission can install, configure, update, and remove applications via the Applications section of their control panel.

Linking Apps and Additional User Accounts

Some applications facilitate the creation and management of user accounts directly, bypassing the need to log into the application itself. When an application offers such an account service, you gain the ability to link users of your subscription with corresponding accounts within that application, creating a more integrated user experience. To execute this association process:

1. Group the relevant users into a designated group (Users > User Roles).
2. Assign one of the following group permissions:

   • Public Access

     If this permission is granted, all users belonging to the group will gain access to the application via a link prominently displayed on their Websites & Domains page, providing easy access to shared resources.

   • Personal Access

     Should this permission be granted, the application will automatically provision individual accounts for all users within that group. Subsequently, each user’s Websites & Domains page will feature an additional link, enabling direct login to their personal application account. It’s crucial to understand that revoking the Personal access permission will result in the automatic deletion of all application accounts associated with that specific group, ensuring data integrity upon access changes.

Updating Apps

• Automatic Updates

  By default, the platform is configured to install the latest available application versions and automatically updates applications as soon as newer versions are released. This ensures your applications always benefit from the latest features and security patches. However, it’s important to recognize that updating an application can sometimes introduce significant changes to its functionality. For instance, plugins or extensions developed for an older version of an application might become incompatible with newer releases. For this reason, you may wish to disable automatic updates for specific applications, allowing for manual review and control over the update process.

  To enable or disable automatic updates:

  1. Navigate to Applications > Manage My Applications and click on the name of the desired application.
  2. Select Change Settings.
  3. Check or uncheck the Automatically update this app when updates are available option, as required, to manage its update behavior.

• Manual Updates

  If you have opted to disable automatic updates for an application, the platform will notify you of available newer versions by displaying an Update available link beneath the application name in Applications > Manage My Applications. Clicking this link allows you to review the enhancements and modifications present in the new version, enabling you to make an informed decision on whether to update the application or continue using the current version, providing flexibility and control.

Managing PHP Project Dependencies with Composer

Composer is an indispensable dependency manager for PHP, designed to assist in finding, installing, and updating library packages that your PHP project relies upon. These libraries are systematically installed within the project’s root directory, ensuring all necessary components are available. The Composer utility is seamlessly integrated into the platform, eliminating the need for manual installation within your project. The system ensures Composer receives regular updates, typically on a weekly basis, to keep it current with the latest features and bug fixes.

Composer utilizes two crucial files to manage the list of modules essential for your project:

• composer.json - This file explicitly lists the libraries upon which your project directly depends. You should place the composer.json file in your project’s root directory and specify the required packages within it. The composer init command can be conveniently used to generate this file.

• composer.lock - This file meticulously records all libraries that the packages specified in composer.json depend on, both directly and indirectly. Consequently, it provides a comprehensive roster of every library required for your project, ensuring consistent installations across different environments.

Composer can be effectively utilized through two distinct methods:

• Via the command line. Consult the official Composer documentation for detailed instructions on command-line usage, which offers powerful control for experienced users.

  Note

  It is recommended to use a normal environment rather than a chroot environment for Composer operations, to ensure full functionality and avoid potential restrictions.

• Via the platform interface (Websites & Domains > your domain > PHP Composer). This provides a user-friendly graphical interface for managing dependencies.

  To begin working with Composer through the platform’s interface, the composer.json file must first be located. To achieve this, navigate to Websites & Domains > the subscription whose root directory contains the composer.json file you previously placed > PHP Composer, and then click Scan.

  Once the composer.json file has been successfully located, you can execute the following actions:

  • To install project dependencies, click Install next to ‘Package Dependencies’.
  • To update existing dependencies, click Update next to ‘Package Dependencies’.

  Note

  Prior to updating dependencies, it is strongly recommended to click “How update works” to review the available updates and understand their potential impact on your application. Dependency updates fall into various categories: major, minor, or patch. While minor and patch updates are generally considered safe, major updates carry a higher risk of introducing breaking changes to your application. The “How update works” feature provides valuable insights into the potential outcomes, allowing you to assess the risks associated with different updates and plan accordingly.

• To modify your project’s dependencies, click Edit composer.json, make the necessary changes in the provided editor pane, and then click Update to apply them.