TYPO3 Composer vs TER

Are you a beginner or intermediate level in TYPO3 CMS? Then, you may often ask questions related to installing the TYPO3 extension using TER or Composer like what’s best practice? In this article, I’ll try to clarify a bit about TYPO3 Composer vs TER.

TYPO3 community always works hard to introduce new technologies, Example you have the flexibility to install your TYPO3 using either modern Composer (Packagist.org) or old-ways TER (Extensions.TYPO3.org). There are pros and cons in both Composer and TER. To be honest, there is one thing missing to support both ways simultaneously for the TYPO3 users and developers. Let’s discuss this in-depth!

My dear TYPO3 reader; As my ritual, before starting the blog - I want to dedicate this blog to the people who worked hard in the TYPO3 community. Many developers and users are developing and maintaining both the TER and Composer way of TYPO3 Installation. #T3Kudos to Everyone!

What’s TER (TYPO3 Extensions Repository)?

You should consider the CMS software where you can control things like add new extensions and plugins. With Opensource CMS like TYPO3, you can get free TYPO3 extensions.

The TYPO3 Extension Repository (TER) is the central storage for public TYPO3 extensions. You can search and download your needed extension here.

Our App Store is Called TER - and It's Free!
- TYPO3 GmbH

Let’s see how you can quickly install the TYPO3 extensions from TER.

Step 1. Go to https://extensions.typo3.org/

Step 2. Use a powerful search feature to know the best available TYPO3 extension which suits your needs. Remember to choose carefully by seeing several downloads, likes, stability, compatibility, etc. You may download an extension from there, but don’t worry; you will get it directly from your TYPO3 backend ;)

Step 4. Login to your TYPO3 Backend yoursite.com/typo3/

Step 5. Go to Admin Tools > Extensions Manager > Get Extensions

Step 6. Click on the “Update Now” button.

Step 7. Search the extension name which you want.

Step 8. Click on the“Import and Install” button. Your extension will download and install but not activate.

Step 9. To activate the extension, Choose “Installed Extensions” from the top dropdown box.

Step 10. Click on the icon with a “+” sign for your extension in the “A/D” column.

Recommend TYPO3 Blogs on TYPO3 TER

How to Install TYPO3 Extensions Using Composer/Packagist?

The composer is the most modern and lovable way to install TYPO3 extensions. Let’s see how! Step 1. Grab Composer package name and extension key. You should see the Composer command under “Composer support”, for example, for the extension news. Here, the package name is georgringer/news.

Step 2. Run the Composer command at your Terminal.

// Download and install via Composer/Packagist.org
composer require <packagename>
composer require georgringer/news

// Activate the TYPO3 Extensions
./vendor/bin/typo3 extension:activate <extension key>
./vendor/bin/typo3 extension:activate news

// Extension Dependencies
// public/typo3conf/ext/news/composer.json:
"require": {
    "typo3/cms-core": "^10.4 || ^11"
},

Must-Read Blogs on TYPO3 Composer

TYPO3 Composer vs TER

What’s the best way to install the TYPO3 extension? The simple answer is - Go with the composer. Composer is one of the larger forces responsible for the recent PHP Renaissance. Of course, you will need to do a little bit, but I’m sure that’s not hard - you can easily do it.

But, Why did TYPO3 Composer win? Let’s check it out!

TYPO3 Composer Statistics

Packages registered 319 205+
Versions available 3 022 251+
Packages installed (since 2012-04-13) 44 227 998 533+

Benefits of TYPO3 Composer

Reuse third-party libraries without bundling them with source code
Reduce extension conflicts and compatibility issues by using a component-based architecture with robust dependency management
Adhere to PHP-Framework Interoperability Group (FIG) standards
Repackage TYPO3 Open Source with other extensions
Use the TYPO3 software in a production environment

What’s Problem with Composer?

Let's be honest; while using Composer has many advantages, it is not without its drawbacks. The composer has gotten a bad rap in some parts of the TYPO3 community, and that's not without cause.

The conceptual hurdle

For many TYPO3ists, the idea of dependency management is new, and it can be a difficult concept to wrap one's head around.

Resolving conflicts

Composer is great at finding interoperable versions of dependencies, but sometimes it's just not possible.

CLI only

A composer is a command-line tool. For many TYPO3ists, this alone can be intimidating.

Solution: TER + Composer Wrapper!

My few cents suggestions; I think the solution is to support both (Composer and TER) ways to install TYPO3 extensions. I’m not sure about the technical feasibility of such an implementation.

Of course, the complex TYPO3 projects that the TYPO3 developer manages should always use composer-based TYPO3 installation. For small to medium-size businesses, TYPO3 administrators or users should install, configure, actuate, and deactivate the TYPO3 extension from the TYPO3 backend.

What do you think?

Wrapping-up!

Thanks for reading my TYPO3 blog.

I hope you found it interesting and learned something. What’s your best way to install TYPO3? What do you think about TYPO3 Composer vs TER? I would love to know your thoughts by commenting below.

Have a Happy TYPO3 Installing!

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CTO at T3Planet & NITSAN

Sanjay Chauhan, Co-Founder of NITSAN (Award winning TYPO3 agency) and Pioneer of T3Planet (first-ever TYPO3 Store).

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TYPO3 Composer vs TER - What's Better TYPO3 Installation Method?

TYPO3 Composer vs TER