Breaking: #91909 - sys_collection database tables moved into external extension

Description

The generic sys_collection database table and its MM table sys_collection_entries, which holds information of connected records to a "Record Collection" have been removed from TYPO3 Core.

This feature was added as a more generic approach of the sys_file_collection definition along with the File Abstraction Layer in TYPO3 v6.0. The file collection allows to create a group of files (e.g. from a folder, or from a category).

However, the more generic API was never picked up in TYPO3 Core since 2012.

The database table, the TCA definition (for editing the records in the database), and the PHP API are now available in a separate extension installable via the TYPO3 Extension Repository (https://extensions.typo3.org) or via composer ("friendsoftypo3/legacy-collections").

The third-party extension can be used as a 1:1 drop-in replacement for the removed Core functionality.

Impact

It is not possible to modify / edit sys_collection records anymore in the TYPO3 Backend.

The database tables are not defined anymore, neither is the TCA definition.

Accessing the PHP API class will result in fatal PHP errors.

Affected Installations

Any TYPO3 installation using the database tables belonging to the sys_collection feature which is very unlikely.

Migration

Use the upgrade wizard or install the legacy_collections extension to re-add the functionality - but only if it is needed.

As the PHP classes have a class alias, everything should work as before.