Breaking: #96733 - Removed support for module handling based on TBE_MODULES

See forge#96733

Description

In previous TYPO3 versions, all available Backend modules were stored in the global array $TBE_MODULES.

Next to a very scattered and dated API to work with this array, it was still possible to modify entries of modules through this global array.

With the introduction of the new Module Registration API, the global array is not filled anymore since TYPO3 v12.0.

In addition, any previous functionality related to handling of the global array has been removed.

The main and foremost important previous API piece TYPO3\CMS\Backend\Module\ModuleLoader has been removed completely as it was usually populated with data of $TBE_MODULES.

The PHP classes

  • TYPO3\CMS\Backend\Domain\Model\Module\BackendModule

  • TYPO3\CMS\Backend\Domain\Repository\Module\BackendModuleRepository

  • TYPO3\CMS\Backend\Module\ModuleStorage

which were related to building the Module Menu on the left side of the TYPO3 Backend have been removed as well. The new API based on the ModuleProvider takes care of permission handling and returns objects of ModuleInterface, the rendering is now based on a well-defined OOP-based approach, which is used throughout all places in TYPO3 Backend in a unified way.

As for TYPO3 Backend Modules, based on Extbase, their additional information (allowed controllers and actions) was previously stored in a different global array $GLOBALS['TYPO3_CONF_VARS']['EXTCONF']['extbase']['extensions'][$extensionName]['modules'][$pluginName]['controllers'] which has been merged with the Module Registry API and has been removed as well.

Because the registration of modules is now done in the extension's Configuration/Backend/Modules.php file, the following API methods do no longer have any effect and will be removed in TYPO3 v13.0:

  • \TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\ExtensionManagementUtility::addModule()

  • \TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\ExtensionManagementUtility::addNavigationComponent()

  • \TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\ExtensionManagementUtility::addCoreNavigationComponent()

  • \TYPO3\CMS\Extbase\Utility\ExtensionUtility::registerModule()

The User TSconfig options.hideModules.[moduleGroup] has been removed. All modules are registered with a unique identifier. Therefore, the TSconfig options.hideModules should be used for all modules directly. This still allows to hide a whole group, e.g. web, next to regular moludes, such as web_layout.

Impact

Accessing or manipulating the now non-existent $GLOBALS[TBE_MODULES] array will result in a PHP warning.

Referencing any of the removed PHP classes will result in a PHP fatal error.

Using one of the mentioned API methods won't have any effect.

Affected Installations

TYPO3 installations working with hooks or events effectively reading or manipulating the global array $TBE_MODULES or accessing any of the removed PHP classes / methods by third-party extensions.

Any occurrences can be detected via the Extension Scanner.

Migration

Migrate to the new Module Registration API, and use the ModuleProvider class to get allowed modules and work with the objects. The current module information (an implementation of ModuleInterface) is stored in a TYPO3 Backend request within the module option of a TYPO3 Backend route, which can be accessed via $request->getAttribute('route')->getOption('module').

As soon as the new TYPO3 BackendModuleValidator PSR-15 middleware has validated the module for the current user, the ModuleInterface object is also added to the current request and can then be accessed via $request->getAttribute('module') in custom middlewares or components.

Note

With the new module registration, the module identifier is also used as the route identifier. Therefore, the moduleName option is removed from the TYPO3 backend route object.

The registration has to be moved from ext_tables.php to the Configuration/Backend/Modules.php file. See the feature changelog for more information regarding the new registration.

Instead of options.hideModules.web = layout, use options.hideModules = web_layout.