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.
List of changes:
* New OOP API using PHP namespace \core\session\.
* All handlers now update the sessions table consistently.
* Experimental DB session support in Oracle.
* Full support for session file handler (filesystem locking required).
* New option for alternative session directory.
* Official memcached session handler support.
* Workaround for memcached version with non-functional gc.
* Improved security - forced session id regeneration.
* Improved compatibility with recent PHP releases.
* Fixed borked CSS during install in debug mode.
* Switched to file based sessions in new installs.
* DB session setting disappears if DB does not support sessions.
* DB session setting disappears if session handler specified in config.php.
* Fast purging of sessions used in request only.
* No legacy distinction - file, database and memcached support the same functionality.
* Session handler name included in performance info.
* Fixed user_loggedin and user_loggedout event triggering.
* Other minor bugfixing and improvements.
* Fixed database session segfault if MUC disposed before $DB.
Limitations:
* Session access time is now updated right after session start.
* Support for $CFG->sessionlockloggedinonly was removed.
* First request does not update userid in sessions table.
* The timeouts may break badly if server hosting forces PHP.ini session settings.
* The session GC is a lot slower, we do not rely on external session timeouts.
* There cannot be any hooks triggered at the session write time.
* File and memcached handlers do not support session lock acquire timeouts.
* Some low level PHP session functions can not be used directly in Moodle code.
The badges feature allows to integrate Mozilla "Open Badges" to issue, assign,
manage and display digital badges in Moodle. This feature supports:
-- badge creation and issuing based on criteria
-- badge baking and verification service
-- direct pushing of internal badges to external backpack
-- interanl and external badge display in Moodle
-- Moodle block to display latest badges
