Use Moodle file API for storing backup files

[dmitriim]

Currently all files are getting pushed to a local path that have to be specified in configs.
Would be better to user Moodle file APIs to manage backup files so they can be process by an external file storages (e.g Object FS https://github.com/catalyst/moodle-tool_objectfs).

[NinaHerrmann]

Hey @dmitriim
Maybe I am missing an important point, but the reason for having a path is to have e.g. a hard disk connected. Moodles file system should not be used for backups right? However, I am happy to hear your opinion on that, cheers!

[dmitriim]

I'm guessing the main reason for not using Moodle file system here is potential limited size of sitedata. E.g. hosting limitation. With a cloud storage a space is not an issues anymore. E.g. S3 is pretty cheap so eventually it becomes an unlimited hard drive. But I think for who can't use a cloud storage for some reasons (legal or other) local path is the only way to push files outside of the Moodle site data.

I think the best option could be to make the setting optional. E.g. you can switch between local folder outside of the moodle data or keep backup files inside Moodle filesystem.

Thoughts?

[NinaHerrmann]

As far As I can judge this is already possible by linking the absolute path to the storage on your server correct?
If you want to push files with request to external servers this could be a feature 🤔

[dmitriim]

Probably we should go even further and make file shipping part pluggable. E.g. could be s3 storage, azure, Moodle file system, sftp or a simple folder as it's now.

[NinaHerrmann]

As I do not have access to such file storage systems, you can provide a pull request, however a third person would be required to review it. In short, we are opened to include pull request but it is not on our roadmap.