Hi all,

I use Features extensively for two reasons:

(1) to move configuration between different drupal sites.
(2) to package sets of configuration.

Drupal 8 now has Configuration management in core. What this means, basically, is that configuration xml files for all types of modules will reside in a special "config" directory, so we will be able to move configuration from one Drupal site to another in that way.

However, I'm not sure this new system in core will allow us to package functionality (an Image gallery or event management feature). So I'm wondering how the Features module might tie into this, leveraging Config management in core while still allowing the packaging of configuration.

Cheers,

Albert.

Comments

mpotter’s picture

mpotter commented
Status: Active » Postponed

I'm going to mark this as "postponed" for now, but here are my thoughts:

There are two prime use-cases for Features: 1) put config data into code for deployment to other sites, and 2) bundle functionality (like a photo gallery) for re-use on other sites. Case (1) is exactly what the CMI is doing for D8. So in D8, that use of Features might be replaced with CMI. However, case (2) will still be a valid use case, so Features will still be needed.

It's also not yet clear if a "feature" will be able to override the configuration data provided by another module. So it's possible that even case (1) might still be needed.

I'm certainly looking forward to the day in D8 where we can store configuration data as DATA and not as PHP code. It will also be nice to get unique ids for stuff that we currently cannot export reliably. So the CMI will be a positive improvement no matter what.

Bottom line: Something like Features will still need to exist in D8, but I'm expecting a pretty radical re-architecture effort.

Letharion’s picture

Letharion commented
Version: 7.x-1.x-dev » 7.x-2.x-dev
Status: Postponed » Active

I'm wondering if anyone has started any work on this. I could make use of use-case 2 from above, for a project of mine, and I'm willing to put in time myself.

However, given that I'm not an official maintainer, I don't want to start something on my own just to find out later that someone else already has a sandbox and/or has put in research effort that I end up duplicating.

If the current maintainers are interested in starting this up, or help bring me up to speed, let's set up an IRC meeting and take it from there.

mpotter’s picture

mpotter commented

I know several people are interested in this. I personally won't have time to work on this till later this fall. So not sure how to best coordinate this effort. I'd hate to see a lot of duplicated work. On the other hand, I'd welcome the help.

kroopwati’s picture

kroopwati commented

Hi team,
any update on this.
I was basically working with feature module so wanted to integrate Strongarm in Drupal 8, which has been mentioned as a core module.
Is there anything which I can refer for this.

Thanks
Roopwati