When an update to core is available, the update page should link to a more helpful page on backdropcms.org

[swampopus]

Description of the need

At the moment, when there is an update to Backdrop core available, it is not possible to perform the update from within the backdrop site. Instead, the user is instructed to go to a handbook page, as seen in this screenshot:

(This is at admin/config/system/updates)

The handbook link redirects and eventually goes to this address: https://docs.backdropcms.org/documentation/extend-with-modules

Which is not very helpful in explaining how to update Core to the latest version. In fact, it takes a bit of clicking around to figure out how to update core (as I discovered).

Proposed solution

Instead, the "handbook" link on the aforementioned page should go to this address:
https://docs.backdropcms.org/documentation/core-updates

This page specifically is about updating Core code, and makes it a little simpler for newbies to understand.

Alternatives that have been considered

The best option might be, for updating Core code, to both link to the appropriate documentation page, but also to state the general instructions:

• Backup your database
• Copy the "core" folder into place
• Run updates.php
• etc.

[argiepiano]

To begin with, why is it not possible to perform core updates from within the site? Can you check the settings at admin/reports/updates/settings? If you select "Manual updates", and if the file permissions are set up correctly, it should be possible.

And yes, it'd be better to link to to the page you pointed out.

[swampopus]

Well, as far as I can tell, my permissions are set correctly. I am able to download and install modules from the installer. But I just checked and it appears I can't update modules from within the site either. So I guess I have something off.

I don't mean to expand the scope of this issue, but if the page detected this condition and told me "Hey, your permissions are set incorrectly, here's how to do it...." then that would be even better.

[avpaderno]

The code showing that message is the following one (in the installer.manager.inc file).

$form['available_backends']['#markup'] = t('Your server does not support installing modules, themes, and layouts from this interface. Instead, install modules, themes, and layouts by uploading them directly to the server, as described in the <a href="@handbook_url">handbook</a>.', array('@handbook_url' => 'https://backdropcms.org/guide/modules'));

Instead of changing the redirect, the URL used by that code should be changed.

[avpaderno]

Truly, that same URL is also used by the following code (in the same file).

  if ($operation == 'update') {
    $form['available_backends']['#markup'] = format_plural(
      count($available_backends),
      'Updating modules, themes, and layouts requires <strong>@backends access</strong> to your server. See the <a href="@handbook_url">handbook</a> for other update methods.',
      'Updating modules, themes, and layouts requires access to your server via one of the following methods: <strong>@backends</strong>. See the <a href="@handbook_url">handbook</a> for other update methods.',
      array(
        '@backends' => implode(', ', $backend_names),
        '@handbook_url' => 'https://backdropcms.org/guide/modules',
      ));
  }
  else {
    $form['available_backends']['#markup'] = format_plural(
      count($available_backends),
      'Installing modules, themes, and layouts requires <strong>@backends access</strong> to your server. See the <a href="@handbook_url">handbook</a> for other installation methods.',
      'Installing modules, themes, and layouts requires access to your server via one of the following methods: <strong>@backends</strong>. See the <a href="@handbook_url">handbook</a> for other installation methods.',
      array(
        '@backends' => implode(', ', $backend_names),
        '@handbook_url' => 'https://backdropcms.org/guide/modules',
      ));
  }

Probably, a documentation page should be written to cover those topics. Extend with Modules does not explain how to install modules, themes, and layouts by uploading them directly to the server, nor which other installation methods are available.

To fix the issue described in the issue summary, changing the URL given in Your server does not support installing modules, themes, and layouts from this interface. Instead, install modules, themes, and layouts by uploading them directly to the server, as described in the <a href="@handbook_url">handbook</a>. is sufficient.