Answers Core

This documentation page details the steps required to get started with the Answers Core module. It is related to version 7.x-4.x and above, which is substantially different from prior versions.

Dependencies

Drupal 7 core

Start with an installed Drupal site, which can either be an existing site, or a brand new site.

Libraries

Answers does not have any dependencies.

Module dependencies

Before the (core) Answers module can be enabled, there are a few modules have to be installed/enabled, as further detailed below.

Core modules

• List.
• Field.
• Field SQL Storage.
• Options.

Contributed modules

• Views (and hence CTools).
• Entity reference.

Nodes

• Question (answer_question)
• Answer (answers_answer)

Views

questions List of all Questions

Installation

Download the Answers module from the Answers project page, and follow the normal practices for installing a Drupal module to install and enable the (core) Answers module.

You may want to enable one or more of its supporting (sub-)modules for additional features.

Administration

After installing the Answers module, there are a few steps that must be performed prior to using the Answers module. For more details about these steps, refer to what is below.

Answers Permissions

The only permissions that are to be configured for using the Answers module (via admin/people/permissions) are located within the Node group. This configuration is required for content types Question and Answers.

All that's needed, is to indicate the roles allowed to perform the tasks mentioned below, for content types related to the Answers module. Most sites will let all authenticated users ask and answer questions. Some will let visitors do so also. Some will also let users edit their own questions and answers. At a minimum, enter your desired permission configuration for:

• Create new content.
• Edit own content.

Notes:

1. Permissions such as 'Edit any content', 'Delete own content' and 'Delete any content' is typically only granted to roles such as administrators, content editors and/or moderators (a typical role that may be added specific to using the Answers module).
2. After a question was marked as "published", the question can be viewed by anybody who has been granted the permission "View published content". If a content access module is enabled, such as the Content Access module, then such module will manage the access to the Question (if needed adapt such access rules related to which users can view a question).

Answers Configuration

Configure the various options for using the Answers module via /admin/config/content/answers. The options should be self explaining.

Configuration verification

Even though it is not really required to configure the Answers module, it is recommended to verify whether your configuration is working as expected. Here are the recommended steps to do so:

1. Add an example Question by using “Add Content” -> “Question”, and save it as per normal Drupal facilities to do so. After the question was saved, you should see "No answers yet" (below the question) and "Your answer".
2. By design, it is not possible to add an (example) Answer by using “Add Content” -> “Answer”. Instead, add an example answer to the previously created question (from the question screen), using the “Your answer” box below the question. After the question was saved, you should see it below the question.

If the previous verification steps completed fine, the Answers Core module is ready to be used by all authorized users. Though you may want to expand some of its features, by also enabling one or more of its sub-modules as further detailed in subsequent steps.