Modify the text ‘Flarum encountered a boot error’

By default, Flarum shows a generic error message stating "Flarum encountered a boot error" along with specific details about the error, such as the database driver error and SQLSTATE code. This message is helpful for developers and administrators to diagnose database-related problems. However, you want to personalize this message to include your website's name, which can be done by modifying the appropriate file in Flarum's core files.

Customization

To modify the error message in Flarum, you need to locate the file where the error message is generated and customize it. The file responsible for displaying the error message upon encountering a boot error is typically Server.php, located in the core/Http directory of your Flarum installation. This file contains the logic for handling HTTP requests and responses, including error handling.

Steps to Customize the Error Message in Flarum:

1. Locate the Server.php file:

   • Navigate to your Flarum installation directory on your server.
   • Find the core/Http/Server.php file within the Flarum installation.

2. Edit the error message code:

   • Open Server.php file using a text editor or an IDE.
   • Look for the section of code that handles exceptions related to database boot errors. This section typically includes a try-catch block or similar error handling mechanism.

3. Modify the error message:

   • Within the catch block that handles database connection errors, you'll find the code that generates the error message.
   • Instead of the default message "Flarum encountered a boot error", replace it with a customized message that includes your website's name. For example:

     echo 'YourWebsiteName encountered a database connection error.';
     

   • You can concatenate this message with the specific error details that Flarum captures, such as the error message from PDO or Doctrine DBAL.

4. Save your changes:

   • After modifying the error message, save the Server.php file.

5. Testing the customized message:

   • To ensure your changes are effective, intentionally cause a database connection error by temporarily providing incorrect database credentials in your Flarum configuration.
   • Access your Flarum site to trigger the error and observe if the customized error message appears.

6. Note about upgrades:

   • Whenever you upgrade Flarum to a newer version, keep in mind that core files may be updated or replaced. This means you'll need to reapply your customization to the Server.php file after each upgrade to ensure your personalized error message remains in place.

By following these steps, you can effectively modify the error message that Flarum displays when it encounters a database connection issue. This customization allows you to brand the error message with your website's name, providing a more personalized experience for users and administrators encountering technical difficulties related to database connectivity. Remember to document your changes for future reference, especially before upgrading Flarum to newer versions.