dirname() is a slow function compared with __DIR__ and using
'/../'. Moodle has a large number of legacy files that are included
each time a page loads and is not able to use an autoloader as it is
functional code. This allows those required includes to perform as
best as possible in this situation.
- If we want to check fields 'numsections' or 'hiddensections' call course_get_format()->get_format_options()
- We still use extended course object in course/edit.php, update_course(), create_course(), and inside course formats
- Fields added to format_legacy as default course format options;
- Upgrade script copies fields values from table course to course_format_options;
- Fields removed from table course;
- Fields removed from edit course form;
- Since front-page course has a 'numsections' setting, format_site defines it as it's option;
- Removed accessing those fields in core code unless we know that format supports them and in this
case instead of $course = $DB->get_record('course'); we use:
$course = course_get_format($courseorid)->get_course(); This way all format-specific options
are added to the $course object
