UPGRADING   $Id$
---------

As Moodle grows, there are changes to the code and 
sometimes changes to the database structures.

Moodle is able to upgrade its own databases, using 
information in files called version.php.  There is 
one of these for the main tables (in this directory)
and one for each module.

In the following instructions I will include some 
sample Unix shell commands - there are obviously
graphical ways to do the same things. 


Before the upgrade
------------------

  Before upgrading any version of Moodle, I recommend
  making a backup copy of the moodle directory, your 
  data directory and your database, to guard against 
  the very unlikely event that something in the upgrade 
  goes wrong.

  At the very least, make a copy of your config.php file 
  and any languages, custom themes or plug-ins you have 
  added to Moodle.


Upgrading the files using CVS
--------------------------------

  If you are using CVS, just go to the Moodle root 
  directory and update the files:

     cvs update -d
  
  If you have been editing Moodle files watch the 
  messages very closely for possible conflicts 
  (and consider sending your fixes in to me as patches :)


Upgrading the files using a downloaded archive
-------------------------------------------------

  Rename the current installation directory (as backup)

     mv moodle moodle.backup

  and then unpack the new tar or zip file into the old
  location.   (Overwriting an old installation usually 
  works fine, but I can't guarantee that it always will).

     tar xvzf moodle-1.0.5.tgz 

  Next, copy the config.php file from your old installation
  into the new installation (or make a new one by editing 
  config-dist.php).  If you have created new themes or 
  other plug-ins then make sure you copy those back too.

     cp moodle.backup/config.php moodle
     cp -pr moodle.backup/theme/mytheme moodle/theme/mytheme
  

Finishing the upgrade
---------------------

  Visit the admin page of your installation to complete 
  the upgrade (eg http://example.com/moodle/admin).  

  It doesn't matter if you are logged in as admin or not.

  Moodle will automatically detect the new version 
  and perform any database or filesystem upgrades that 
  might be necessary.

  If all goes well (no error messages) then you can just 
  go on using the new version!



If you have problems with this procedure, let me know.

Cheers, and have fun!
Martin

