Session v1
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This document discusses beginning Drupal module development. It introduces important Drupal concepts like nodes, entities, modules, hooks and functions. It explains that modules communicate through hooks and functions. The document also provides guidelines for Drupal development like never editing core files and separating custom modules. It demonstrates how to use the Context module to display blocks conditionally based on path. Overall the document orients newcomers to Drupal development best practices and vocabulary.
Session v1
- 1. BEGINNING MODULE DEVELOPMENT Joe Crespo | Developer, Aten Design Group Monday, July 1, 13
- 2. INTRODUCTIONS ARE IN ORDER Desktop publishing >> Graphic design >> Web design >> PHP developer >> Drupal Joe Crespo | Developer, Aten Design Group Monday, July 1, 13
- 3. PART 1 “HELLO WORLD!” Monday, July 1, 13
- 4. Drupal has its own set of vocabulary. 1. “Nodes,”“entities,” and “modules” have specific meanings in Drupal that may differ from what you think of as a “node,” “entity,” or “module.” Getting a handle on these concepts will elevate your Drupal development skills. ESSENTIALVOCABULARY Terms to Know: 1. blocks 2. content types 3. entities 4. fields 5. hooks 6. nodes 7. taxonomy 8. themes Beginning Module Development | Getting Started Monday, July 1, 13
- 5. hook_form_alter() Use your module to change an existing form. drupal_add_css() Add your own CSS file to add styles or amend existing. drupal_get_path() Returns a path within the Drupal site structure. DRUPAL FUNCTIONS Beginning Module Development |The Context Module Monday, July 1, 13
- 6. 1. Adding new functionality to Drupal means installing and activating existing modules, or creating new ones. DRUPAL IS MODULAR Beginning Module Development | Getting Started Monday, July 1, 13
- 7. 2. Modules communicate with one another and manipulate data through a series of hooks. HOOKS Beginning Module Development | Getting Started Monday, July 1, 13
- 8. Hooks are functions automatically called during execution. Your module can make changes to content or functionality by invoking these hooks. HOOKS 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO Beginning Module Development | Getting Started For example: Your Module Name: my_first_module Drupal Hook: hook_form_alter() Module invokes Hook with my_first_module_form_alter() Monday, July 1, 13
- 9. 1. Drupal 7 is not object-oriented. While Drupal does use objects, as its core, Drupal is procedural. DRUPAL IS NOT DOWN WITH O.O.P. Beginning Module Development | Getting Started Monday, July 1, 13
- 10. 2. Drupal loves enormous multidimensional arrays. YOU DOWN WITH OOP? Beginning Module Development | Getting Started Monday, July 1, 13
- 11. PART 2 RULES OFTHUMB Monday, July 1, 13
- 12. DRUPAL DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES “Every time you hack core, God kills a kitten” Beginning Module Development | Rules ofThumb Monday, July 1, 13
- 13. DRUPAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDAMENTALS 1. Never add functionality to your site by making changes to Drupal core. 2. Avoid hacking contrib modules. Beginning Module Development | Rules ofThumb Monday, July 1, 13
- 14. Separate Drupal core modules, contrib modules, and your custom modules. root directory |__ modules <<< this is where core modules live – DO NOTTOUCH! |__ sites |__ all |__ modules |__ contrib <<< this is where the modules you download live |__ custom <<< this is where the modules you build live ORGANIZINGYOUR SITE Beginning Module Development | Rules ofThumb Monday, July 1, 13
- 15. • Always keep in mind that the module you are contemplating might already exist. • Search Drupal.org to see if the module has already been built. • If you don’t find an obvious answer, ask on IRC. BEFOREYOU START DEVELOPING A MODULE Beginning Module Development | Rules ofThumb Monday, July 1, 13
- 16. Clear the cache. THE BEST DRUPALTIPYOU’LL EVER HEAR Beginning Module Development | Rules ofThumb That is all. Monday, July 1, 13
- 17. PART 3 PUTTINGTHIS SESSION IN “CONTEXT” Monday, July 1, 13
- 18. What Context does that’s pertinent to this session it that it allows site builders to add blocks of content to regions of the page if certain criteria are met. For example: You want to advertise free shipping, but only want to show that message on your catalog index page at http://example.com/catalog. You would create a block advertising free shipping and then set the context to only show that block when the path is currently “catalog” THE CONTEXT MODULE Beginning Module Development |The Context Module Monday, July 1, 13
- 19. DEMO Monday, July 1, 13
- 20. CONCLUSION WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? Monday, July 1, 13
- 21. What else can we do with context_ui_extras? This module solves one problem with the UI, but maybe there are ways to improve it? 1. More efficient: hook_ form_ FORM_ID_alter() 2. Add a time condition to Context. 3. Make the Reactions draggable. JUSTTHETIP OFTHE ICEBERG Beginning Module Development | Now what? Monday, July 1, 13
- 22. DRUPALTOOLBOX Get to know these things: (if you don’t already) 1. Git: The version control software of choice for Drupal. 2. drush: A command line tool used for Drupal development. 3. devel: A really useful Drupal development module. 4. IRC: Internet Relay Chat and a helpful support tool used throughout the community. 5. api.drupal.org is your new best friend. Beginning Module Development |Toolbox Monday, July 1, 13
- 23. BEGINNING MODULE DEVELOPMENT Joe Crespo | Developer, Aten Design Group Monday, July 1, 13