SPIP
Encyclopedia
SPIP is a free software
content management system
designed for Web site publishing, oriented towards online collaborative editing.
This software, known for its easy setup, use and maintenance, is widely used by networks of people, in public or private institutions. The last P in the word SPIP both stands for Partagé (shared) or Participatif (participative), in the sense that the software is especially tailored for collective online editing.
Its mascot
is a flying squirrel
, an allusion to the squirrel nicknamed 'SPIP' which accompanies the comic character Spirou
(The word spip actually means squirrel in some areas of Belgium
).
for content management used both by institutional sites, news sites (the webmaster of Le Monde diplomatique
newspaper is one of the initiators of SPIP), community portals or academic sites, or personal webpages.
database.
The pages of the site are generated 'on the fly': the contents stored in the database are formatted through presentation 'skeletons' that merge HTML and SPIP's own mark-up language.
A caching system avoids the generation of pages at each request: when a page is requested, SPIP checks if it doesn't exist in its cache and if it isn't too old, it will be displayed. The life-span of a page is adjustable in its presentation skeleton.
. Since its launch 2001, it has also been tested by le Monde diplomatique
and www.vacarme.eu.org.
SPIP integrates a cache
mechanism, an authentication
system, an automatic setup module as well as an interface for administration and input of articles. SPIP's main feature is the creation of dynamic pages without any PHP knowledge, thanks to a template system relatively easy, known as 'skeletons.
In early 2003, the 1.6 version made it possible to display the private back-end interface in several languages. A space for translators is set up in order to multiply the number of available versions.
In January 2004, the 1.7 version of SPIP enables the management of multilingual websites, and boasts a search and content indexation module; It also enables syndication
of other sites' contents.
In April 2005, the private interface of version 1.8 has been reworked in order to take into account an analysis of ergonomic processes . An important modification for developers is SPIP's core that now benefits from a new compiler. It then becomes possible to elaborate skeletons with more and more complex functionalities without requiring any coding work in PHP.
Numerous re-workings are currently under way, such as the reworking of the private interface in the form of skeletons.
The 1.9 version (1) introduces a plug-in system and numerous changes, notably in the organisation of component files (particularly the transition from '.php3' to '.php' files extensions.
The 1.9.1 version introduces a template system, akin to Wikipedia.
The 1.9.2 version modifies the directory structure to allow a better mutualisation of sources.
The 2.0 version supports multiple SQL databases, and introduces easy skeletons for web forms.
The 2.1 version pushes further on the concept of modules, along with improved security and stability, a new interface for plugins management, and many more features.
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
content management system
Content management system
A content management system is a system providing a collection of procedures used to manage work flow in a collaborative environment. These procedures can be manual or computer-based...
designed for Web site publishing, oriented towards online collaborative editing.
This software, known for its easy setup, use and maintenance, is widely used by networks of people, in public or private institutions. The last P in the word SPIP both stands for Partagé (shared) or Participatif (participative), in the sense that the software is especially tailored for collective online editing.
Its mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is a flying squirrel
Flying squirrel
Flying squirrels, scientifically known as Pteromyini or Petauristini, are a tribe of 44 species of squirrels .- Description :...
, an allusion to the squirrel nicknamed 'SPIP' which accompanies the comic character Spirou
Spirou (character)
Spirou is the main character of the Spirou et Fantasio and Le Petit Spirou comic strips. The character was originally created by Robert Velter for the launch of Le Journal de Spirou in 1938....
(The word spip actually means squirrel in some areas of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
).
Presentation
SPIP is a free softwareFree software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
for content management used both by institutional sites, news sites (the webmaster of Le Monde diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique is a monthly newspaper offering analysis and opinion on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first created mainly for a diplomatic audience as its name implies...
newspaper is one of the initiators of SPIP), community portals or academic sites, or personal webpages.
Technology
This software is written in PHP, and relies on a SQLSQL
SQL is a programming language designed for managing data in relational database management systems ....
database.
The pages of the site are generated 'on the fly': the contents stored in the database are formatted through presentation 'skeletons' that merge HTML and SPIP's own mark-up language.
A caching system avoids the generation of pages at each request: when a page is requested, SPIP checks if it doesn't exist in its cache and if it isn't too old, it will be displayed. The life-span of a page is adjustable in its presentation skeleton.
History
SPIP was originally conceived for the uzine.net site, then designers decided to give it away under GPL LicenseGNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
. Since its launch 2001, it has also been tested by le Monde diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique is a monthly newspaper offering analysis and opinion on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first created mainly for a diplomatic audience as its name implies...
and www.vacarme.eu.org.
SPIP integrates a cache
Cache
In computer engineering, a cache is a component that transparently stores data so that future requests for that data can be served faster. The data that is stored within a cache might be values that have been computed earlier or duplicates of original values that are stored elsewhere...
mechanism, an authentication
Authentication
Authentication is the act of confirming the truth of an attribute of a datum or entity...
system, an automatic setup module as well as an interface for administration and input of articles. SPIP's main feature is the creation of dynamic pages without any PHP knowledge, thanks to a template system relatively easy, known as 'skeletons.
In early 2003, the 1.6 version made it possible to display the private back-end interface in several languages. A space for translators is set up in order to multiply the number of available versions.
In January 2004, the 1.7 version of SPIP enables the management of multilingual websites, and boasts a search and content indexation module; It also enables syndication
Web syndication
Web syndication is a form of syndication in which website material is made available to multiple other sites. Most commonly, web syndication refers to making web feeds available from a site in order to provide other people with a summary or update of the website's recently added content...
of other sites' contents.
In April 2005, the private interface of version 1.8 has been reworked in order to take into account an analysis of ergonomic processes . An important modification for developers is SPIP's core that now benefits from a new compiler. It then becomes possible to elaborate skeletons with more and more complex functionalities without requiring any coding work in PHP.
Numerous re-workings are currently under way, such as the reworking of the private interface in the form of skeletons.
The 1.9 version (1) introduces a plug-in system and numerous changes, notably in the organisation of component files (particularly the transition from '.php3' to '.php' files extensions.
The 1.9.1 version introduces a template system, akin to Wikipedia.
The 1.9.2 version modifies the directory structure to allow a better mutualisation of sources.
The 2.0 version supports multiple SQL databases, and introduces easy skeletons for web forms.
The 2.1 version pushes further on the concept of modules, along with improved security and stability, a new interface for plugins management, and many more features.
See also
- Comparison of content management systemsComparison of content management systemsThis is a list of notable content management systems that are used to organize and facilitate collaborative content creation. Many of them are built on top of separate content management frameworks.- Software as a service :- Proprietary software :...
- List of collaborative software
- List of applications with iCalendar support
External links
- Official web site : Presentation, download, documentation, etc. Managing Online Publications with SPIP Programming with SPIP 2.0 Detailed history of SPIP The SPIP galaxy