Modules

Perl-like module system? How does it work in PHP?

[VectorJ]

Are there modules for PHP like there are for Perl or is everything already compiled into the PHP distribution? I know there are commercial modules and that a person can write his or her own classes and what-not, but I was wondering if there was a standard place to download exstensions to the php library.

[coopster]

Any extensions that aren't already compiled in the standard distribution are detailed in the PHP Manual for those functions [php.net].

>>a standard place to download exstensions to the php library?

PECL [pecl.php.net] and PEAR [pear.php.net] are great starting points.

PECL is a repository for PHP Extensions, providing a directory of all known extensions and hosting facilities for downloading and development of PHP extensions.

PEAR [pear.php.net] is a framework and distribution system for reusable PHP components.

Then, as you said, there are a boatload of open source classes available for just about anything you want to do. You'll find sourceforge.net a great place to locate those by keyword.