This document discusses using an MVC framework with WordPress to build complex websites. It introduces the Lotus Framework, an open source MVC framework built for WordPress. Some key points: - MVC frameworks are better for complex applications but harder to learn than WordPress alone. Lotus aims to combine WordPress' ease of use with MVC development. - Lotus allows for parallel development between front-end and back-end teams. It uses WordPress code and integrates seamlessly with themes and plugins. - A case study shows how Lotus enabled fast development of a custom front-end for a multi-site network, with back-end work done in the framework and front-

1. MVC Framework over WordPress
Todi Adiyatmo Wijoyo for WordCamp Indonesia 2013

2. Introduction

Name


Role


Developer
Company


Todi Adiyatmo Wijoyo
Tonjoo.com
Twitter

@todiadiyatmo

3. Disclaimer

This is a very technical presentation

4. WordPress

Very popular CMS


Easy to learn


Newcomers can learn how to use WordPress quickly
Deploying WordPress is fast


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Used by TONS of Website 
Many theme to choose from
Various plugin to extend functionality
Can be developed pararel by using plugin
Reducing development cost significantly
Strong community support

5. Deploy Strategy – “The WordPress way”
Select
Theme
Plugin
Modify

6. Classic WordPress Question..


How to add complex functionality ??
Ex : Add complex front end

7. Theme Hacking - Diggity

8. Theme Hacking – Diggity ( User Follow)

9. Development Strategy – “The WordPress way”
Limitation :
 “Inject” new functionality to themes or plugin is
painful, we must dig into the source code


Not so “Time Efficient” ~ Against WP Philosophy
This lead to difficulty in developing complex
application

10. Other Limitation

Loss of parallel development
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Front end Dev and Back End Dev cannot work on the
same theme on the same time
Non standard-code

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Lost of custom page template
Different routing scheme
Different file placement scheme

11. MVC Framework



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Model – View – Controller Pattern
Generally accepted style to build complex (web)
application
Used by most framework
Most developer learn how to code in MVC during
their collage time

12. MVC Framework - disadvantages

Not easy to learn



Take a lot of time to master one framework
Plugin does not extend functionality as WordPress (not
click and go)
Developing web with minimum developer is not so
fast

Getting skilful developer is hard !

13. MVC

14. Comparison – WordPress and MVC
Features
WordPress
MVC Framework
Easy to learn
Yes
Relative
Plugin and theme (1)
Yes
Mostly no
Fast deployment (2)
Yes
No
Develop complex
application
Hard
The General accepted
way
1. Some Framework do have plugin
2. Fast development with MVC framework means Senior developer which
equal extra cost

15. Solution : Running MVC Framework over WordPress
Open Source MVC Framework for WordPress

16. Lotus Framework Philosophy

Easy to learn

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Integration

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Easy to deploy – Come with plugin
Seamless integration into theme
Using “native” WordPress code
Some serious documentation



Adopting Codeigniter Syntax
Current solution is not so well documented
We want to make clear documentation
Well tested

Already run on 3 project

17. Lotus Framework - Architecture
Index
Archive
Single Page
Your chosen theme, any theme
WordPress
Hooked Page

18. Benefit of Using Lotus Framework

Parallel development
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Front end dev on theme, Backend developer on the LF
MVC Convention

Every action done in correct part of apps

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Database action done on model
UI done on View
Routing done on Controller
Easier development

Develop complex web application with lower senior
programmer

19. Simple case study

Develop a custom front end for a multi-site
WordPress network

20. Case Study Scenario
Indonesia Kreatif
NEWS
DIREKTORI
SHOWCAS
E


5 Websites , Single User Dashboard
Custom Business process


PORTAL
User role
Fast Development
EVENT

21. Development Strategy

WordPress

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(+) Theme and Plugin
( - ) Way… tooo… dificult.. The user role, the
dashboard, the integration 
Framework



( + ) Easy to develop custom web apps with custom user
role
( - ) Just not enough time
( - ) High cost, how many senior programmer you would
hire ? :p

22. Other bizarre strategy


Build Front end with WordPress
Use framework to “inject data directly to the
database”
WordPress Database

23. With the help of Lotus Framework
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Front end dev working on theme
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5 Site -> 5 Theme
Use any theme and plugin you want
Do as usual, it just other ordinary day developing
WordPress theme
Back end developer

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Working on custom front end user dashboard
Use native WordPress code to :

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Login
Register
Post new article

24. Native Code - Login
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wp_signon( $credentials, $secure_cookie )
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http://codex.WordPress.org/Function_Reference/wp_signon

25. Post List

26. Native Code – Edit / Post new Article
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wp_insert_post()

27. Quick Demo

28. Other Case Study - RSVP

29. Lotus Framework
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Contributor
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Code Tester
Documentation Guy
Follow us at @tonjoo
Public Release : End of 2013

30. Question Session