On Installing And Uninstalling Plugins
Posted by Nile | Posted in Plugins | Posted on 01-20-2010 | 6 Comments
Tags: plugin installation
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I have noticed a lot of plugins over the years lack the ability to totally uninstall files. What I mean by totally uninstalling is that when you use your WordPress admin panel to delete the files, it does not always take away the database tables that were installed in the beginning. A couple I can think of up front, are Next Gen Gallery and WP Link Directory.
While it might not seem so important for most people, it is important to remove any resources that you do not plan to use on your webhosting space because it could prove to be a way to hack into later on in the future. If hacked, this can run up your resources and suspend, or with some webhosts, they may ask you to upgrade or say they cannot host you.
Also, when you are having some issues with installing a plugin, you may need to uninstall before going back to re-install. Those databases might be conflicting with what you are trying to re-install. It is usually something the plugin author may ask you to do alongside clearing your cache.
These also take up unnecessary space.
As much as you could download a database manager plugin, or Clean Options, a plugin to clean up your MySQL database tables for your WordPress. The problem is, you really do not need to install another plugin to remove plugins. It is unnecessary because it is easy to do.
For those with phpmyadmin, you can simply go in, browse your WordPress database, and look for the tables that reflect the plugins you removed from the front end. A lot of times, plugin creators try to name their database tables as close as possible to the plugin that they can. Just checkmark, select drop, and click the submit (‘go’) button. Presto! They are removed. 
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You have some good points – I think it’s good manners for a plugin to leave a blog just as it found it.
As far as I’m aware, though, the only time that an author can delete the tables is on deactivation of the plugin. I don’t think there’s a hook that allows an author to delete tables when the user deletes the files of the plugin.
Sometimes people deactivate their plugins temporarily or accidentally. I don’t think they’d like to reactivate them only to find that all of their settings have been erased, which is why I’m guessing many authors choose to leave the tables in there.
I may be wrong, though – if there is a hook, I’d love to hear about it.
However, authors could provide a button within the plugin interface itself that allows users to delete the database tables before deactivation and deletion.
Also, if you are thinking of using PHPMyAdmin to delete tables, remember to back everything up before you start!
One false move with a DROP query can be deadly, and there is absolutely no undo.
Simon Fairbairn´s last blog ..Developing A Plugin – Part 5
That actually could be a good idea for applying some type of button to choose to drop the tables for the plugin.
In my last plugin I used the method of adding a array with the settings as an options field. But it doesn’t handle much data.
I think there is alittle problem too loose the settings when you deactivate. One should try to make a “delete settings” question when deactivating… perhaps.
Mattias Wirf´s last blog ..First submit to Wordpress plugin database
I agree. I know there are plugins for WordPress that people can install and manage their databases. I am just not comfortable using such a tool to call that information directly to my WP admin panel.
But, because I am a developer, I am far more comfortable editing my MySQL directly. A function like that could be really nice to have for those not familiar with PHP and databases.