How can I add 3rd party libraries to Joomla to have them generally available with my code

Question

We use a number of 3rd party open source products such as PhpExcel and HtmlPurifier. In the past we have always had a separate folder for them and called them accordingly, but would now like to know if there's a more conventional way of installing/using them with the Joomla \libraries folder.

I've look at Using own library in your extensions, but am not clear on whether this applies literally to writing your own library, or if it can be generally used with "whatever is in the folder". I'm hoping for some suggestions or insight before I begin this R&D, but will update with findings otherwise.

Answer 1

I can't comment if there is a conventional way, but my thinking is that it really makes sense to use the libraries folder for this purpose and I have seen others doing the same.

Personally I have used the libraries folder in the same way, and later on my extension I usually load the library with the jimport function.

Like this for example:

jimport('simplehtmldom.simple_html_dom');

it will include the php file:

"/libraries/simplehtmldom/simple_html_dom.php"