Role Overview
This guide is tailored for the Senior Full-stack Moodle Developer role. It covers Moodle architecture, plugin development, theme customization, and performance optimization for large-scale installations.
🚀 Moodle Crash Course
The essentials in 30 seconds:
// 1. The Global $DB
global $DB;
$user = $DB->get_record('user', ['username' => 'admin']);
// 2. The Page Context
$PAGE->set_context(context_system::instance());
$PAGE->set_url('/local/myplugin/index.php');
$PAGE->set_title('My Plugin');
// 3. Output API
echo $OUTPUT->header();
echo $OUTPUT->heading('Hello Moodle');
echo $OUTPUT->footer();⚠️ Senior Expectations
- Architecture: Understand the difference between Plugins, Subsystems, and Core.
- Performance: Know how to use MUC (Moodle Universal Cache) and Session handling.
- Security: Always use `required_param`, `optional_param`, and `sesskey()` checks.
- Standards: Follow Moodle Coding Style (Frankenstyle) strictly.
1. Moodle Architecture
Understanding the core structure, file organization, and request lifecycle.
2. PHP for Moodle
Coding standards, global objects, and essential helper functions.
3. Plugin Development
Creating custom plugins, blocks, and activity modules following Moodle standards.
4. Theme Development
Building responsive themes with Bootstrap, Mustache templates, and SCSS.
5. Core APIs & Database
Working with the Data Manipulation API (DML), Page API, and Output API.
6. Security & Performance
Optimizing for 500k+ users, caching, and security best practices.
7. Power User & CLI
Command line tools, Cron management, and advanced configuration.
Capstone: Enterprise LMS Customization
Transform a standard Moodle installation into a tailored Enterprise LMS for a corporate client.
- Custom Plugin: Develop a "Corporate Training" activity module with custom grading logic.
- Theme: Create a child theme with a custom dashboard layout and branding.
- Integration: Sync users from an external HR system (simulated CSV/API) via a scheduled task.
- Reporting: Build a custom report plugin showing course completion rates by department.
- Performance: Configure Redis for session and application caching.
Provide a technical manual for the IT team and a user guide for instructors.
How to use this guide
Module 1: Architecture & PHP
Time: 10 hours | Complexity: High
Deep dive into Moodle's core and coding standards.
Module 2: Plugin Development
Time: 20 hours | Complexity: Very High
Building Activities, Blocks, and Local plugins.
Module 3: Themes & UI
Time: 10 hours | Complexity: Medium
Mustache templates, SCSS, and Output API.
Module 4: Enterprise Features
Time: 15 hours | Complexity: High
Performance, Security, and Integrations.
Curriculum Overview
Module 1: Architecture - Core structure, File organization.
Module 2: PHP for Moodle - Coding standards, Global objects.
Module 3: Plugin Dev - Activity modules, Blocks, Local plugins.
Module 4: Themes - Mustache, SCSS, Bootstrap.
Module 5: Core APIs - DML, Page API, Output API.
Module 6: Security & Perf - Caching, Session handling, Hardening.
Module 7: Power User - CLI, Cron, Configuration.
Module 8: Enterprise - CI/CD, Upgrades, Scaling.
Module 9: Administration - Users, Courses, Roles.
Module 10: Use Cases - Real-world scenarios and solutions.
8. Enterprise & CI/CD
Managing Moodle at scale, upgrades, and deployment pipelines.
9. Site Administration
Managing Users, Courses, Roles, and Web Services.
10. Real-World Use Cases
Full Stack Scenarios: From Jira Ticket to Senior Developer Solution.
📝 Interview Prep
Targeted questions for the Senior Moodle Developer role.
🎓 Final Quiz
Test your knowledge with a comprehensive assessment.