dirname() is a slow function compared with __DIR__ and using
'/../'. Moodle has a large number of legacy files that are included
each time a page loads and is not able to use an autoloader as it is
functional code. This allows those required includes to perform as
best as possible in this situation.
The badges feature allows to integrate Mozilla "Open Badges" to issue, assign,
manage and display digital badges in Moodle. This feature supports:
-- badge creation and issuing based on criteria
-- badge baking and verification service
-- direct pushing of internal badges to external backpack
-- interanl and external badge display in Moodle
-- Moodle block to display latest badges
Marina Glancy