# New Functionality for Moodle E-Learning Platform: Files Communication by Chat Window
## 3 Purpose of Sending Files through the Chat Window  
This solution aims to develop a feature that allows the sending of files of different types (extensions) between users of the e-learning platform Moodle through the chat window.  
Table 2 shows a comparison between Moodle LMS and the Moodle App, including whether the feature is supported offline in the Moodle app (last updated: March 2022) [8]. From Table 2, it can be seen that sending files is not supported; this feature does not exist. It is an option to upload files, but this is valid only for courses and, in no case, for chat, and only if they have received permission in this regard from the teacher or administrator. Sending files of different formats (.doc,.xls, pdf,.txt,.mp3,.mp4,.zip, etc.) between users through the chat communication window is not possible. The solution is integrated into Moodle, and the chat window appears with a button with the \"clip\" icon from where you can select files from your computer and send them to another user to be viewed and downloaded from the user profile account. The e-learning interface is accessed from a browser such as Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla, or Google Chrome. The Moodle e-learning platform (3.11 dev+ Build: 20210330, version for Windows operating system x64, PHP version 7.3.11, MySQL version: 5.5.5-10.4.8-MariaDB) is a standalone locally-hosted client and is installed on Windows Server 2022 \(\times\) 64 [16]. The Moodle e-learning platform is installed and configured locally on the intranet; it cannot be accessed from the Internet. In Table 1, a comparison was made between the attachment transmission solutions offered by e-learning platforms that have similar services. From Table 1, it can be seen that the implemented solution for sending attachments through the chat window is an implementation that is not found on the other platforms that are the subject of the analysis. The implemented solution led to an improvement and simplification of the transmission method. Following the analysis carried out, the modalities and solutions used within the chosen platforms as an object of comparison were identified. The implemented solution is the only one that offers the possibility of sending an attachment through the chat window, thus no longer needing the use of other methods for sending this information. Thus, once the user has entered the chat, attachments may be transmitted through this interface without other mechanisms.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c c} \hline
**Chat-Features Resources and Activities** & **The Moodle** & **ATutor** & **The Ilias** & **The Canvas** \\  & **Platform** & **Platform** & **Platform** & **Platform** \\ \hline Implemented solution-File & & & & \\ attachments through the chat window & X & X & X & X \\ \hline Sending and receiving messages & ✔ & ✔ & ✔ & ✔ \\ \hline Previous conversation & ✔ & ✔ & ✔ & ✔ \\ \hline View connected users, beep, and & & & & \\ talk to & ✔ & ✔ & ✔ & ✔ \\ \hline Different displays & ✔ & X & ✔ & X \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 1: Comparison between the created method and other platforms.