In this course, you'll learn how to leverage Drupal's API by creating custom modules. You'll develop a module step by step and learn how to navigate the extensive documentation available and determine where you can hook into the system and add your new functionality. This course was designed for those who have experience with site building and knowledge of PHP.
Drupal is a modular, open source web content management framework that ships with basic functionality in the form of core modules. For the most part, you add new functionality with third party modules (known as contributed modules) that can be downloaded from Drupal.org. At some point you may find limitations. You may want to modify functionality in a contributed module or core. You may want to move your configuration to code, or access an external data source.
Custom code is expensive to maintain, risky to a project and creates a dependency on the people who wrote it. So while it is necessary to write some code on the vast majority of large Drupal sites, we strive to practice configuration before coding. You can accomplish a lot just by picking the right modules and configuring them to suit your needs.
Knowledge of PHP and programming experience. Before taking this course make sure you know the essentials of Drupal site configuration and site management.
By the end of the training you will be able to:
- Understand Drupal's hook system and development architecture
- Articulate the construction of Drupal modules
- Insert and extract data using Drupal's core database abstraction layer.
- Responsibly modify contributed modules using patches.
- Employ and articulate best practices, security techniques, conventions and coding standards
What is provided:
Some events provide lunch and refreshments. Check the individual event listings for details.
Participants will receive a printed manual which outlines step-by-step activities.
Depending on venue, participants will either be provided with a sandbox environment in a computer lab, or they will use their own computers.