PHP, an open ended scripting source, has been one of the most ubiquitous scripting languages available since its first introduction. Part of that ubiquity is due to the popularity of many of the frameworks or content management systems built on it. To name one well-known example, WordPress is built in PHP. This makes it an essential technology to be familiar with for any WordPress developer. WordPress’ popularity and overall functionality is familiar to many.
Regardless, there are other popular PHP-based content management systems to choose from. One of them being Drupal, which will be getting to know in this post.
Somewhat overshadowed by the popularity of WordPress, Drupal is an excellent choice for many applications. Often more well-suited than its other PHP alternatives. However, it is important to know which content management system is best suited for your own business.
As you continue to read you will begin to understand the Drupal CMS and all its incredible features.
Drupal CMS Framework
Drupal is a free, open-source content management system. This means anyone who knows PHP can use the Drupal CMS framework for free under the General Public License (GNU).
Drupal CMS framework offers a lot of flexibility using the LAMP stack as its base. The modular design of the CMS framework allows you to add and remove features. All you need is to install or uninstall the module in question.
Drupal PHP Framework
As you know, Drupal is an open-source and free web content management system. It falls in the category of a CMS that uses a General Public License (GNU). The PHP framework allows you to program any application using the PHP programming language.
Drupal Programming Languages
As a Drupal developer, you must know that Drupal uses PHP as its programming language. The simplest reason is that Drupal software itself is written in PHP. A major reason to use PHP for programming is that it is very easy to learn and offers a wide array of flexibility to the developers.
You can easily learn PHP irrespective of your previous knowledge or background. Other languages used in different modules include CSS and XHTML.
How Drupal Works
This will look a lot similar to the separation you find in any other standard page coding. You get the meaningful structure of all your information via XHTML. On the other hand, CSS arranges the presentation side of it. Drupal nodes are responsible for holding the structure of the information about blog posts, including their title, author details, date, and content. The menu and taxonomy system of Drupal creates your information architecture.
Finally, Drupal’s theme system works together with display modules such as panels to control how your website will look from a viewer’s perspective. Drupal stores all these layers separately. Therefore, you can customize each layer as per your navigational and presentation needs.
You can group pages differently, prioritize various functions, and control which content to show or hide. It is a simple four-step process that starts with installing Drupal, after which you can begin creating content. You can use various modules to add functionalities to your website and, in the end, simply update the website’s appearance using a theme of your choice.
Drupal Popularity
Drupal is popular for its flexibility but may not be required for basic website designs. It is a solution that can help cater to more complex designs that integrate numerous features under a single hood. According to 2021 statistics, out of 2.4% of the websites in the world using a content management system, 1.5% of websites are based on Drupal.
Drupal Developers
If you’re a developer seeking work in the CMS industry, Drupal is a lucrative option when it comes to the web, software, and application industries. Drupal is a highly specialized CMS framework. Additionally, it’s not easy to source proficient Drupal developers. Therefore, companies tend to hold on to the Drupal developers due to their expertise in Drupal-powered solutions for continuous growth.
The 8 Most Popular Drupal 7 Modules
Drupal has an extremely immense amount of modules reaching well over 20,000. However, there are some that have earned more of a likability compared to others.
1. Chaos Tool Suite
Also known as “CTools”. It was created with teachers, students, and researchers in mind to assist them in creating websites. C Tools combines course management features with project and research collaboration features.
2. Drupal 7 Module is Views.
The views took mainly deals with the management, display, and organization of data lists. The output you receive when using this tool is called a display. As you may already know, it is possible to have multiple displays in Drupal. If you are working with classified information, the Views tool also “User View” where viewing access will only be allowed to those with certain roles at the discretion of the administrator to maintain utmost security.
3. The Token module.
For starters, Tokens in Drupal are placeholders for another value. For example, many times in media setting usernames that we initially desire are often taken so we are forced to settle for a less desired username. However, with a function like Token the user would be able to replace their username to instead show their actual name. For many of us that use Snapchat you have then seen this when you originally made your account. Snapchat does not allow you to change your username. Although, you are given a display name which you can change and edit as you please, similar to the Token module.
4. Pathauto.
The Pathauto module also works hand in hand with the previously mentioned CTools and Token to customize URL aliases.
Drupal works by recognizing the Tokens and working on a pattern system changing a URL from something like this: “>/node/123 “>into something like this: /category/my-node-title> in an automated, seamless process.
5. Administration Toolbar.
This is a highly used module that provides quick access to a variety of administrative pages through the incorporation of a drop down menu on top of the default toolbar.
6. Drupal FAQ Module
Drupal’s FAQ module allows its users with permission to create questions and answers, which then go on to the FAQ section. The configured FAQ nodes in Drupal generate the FAQ page automatically. The module also provides the basic view layouts, and you can customize it using the views UI.
You can modify the layout of the FAQ page via the settings. There are four layouts for this, but you can also categorize questions by enabling the Taxonomy module. The user needs permission to “view the FAQ page.” To configure the FAQ page layout, the user needs “administer FAQ” permission.
7. Drupal Chaos Tools
The Drupal Chaos Tools are also known as CTools. This series of developers’ tools ensures that the code is readily available for Drupal developers. Drupal Chaos Tools create libraries that other modules can use as well. For example, the modules using the ctools series include panels and views.
8. Drupal CTools
The chaos tool suite is a helper set that can simplify your workflows and define custom functionalities. The tools used in this suit include plug-ins, AJAX responder, exportables, form tools, object caching, CSS tools, form wizards, modal dialog, context, and content.
Benefits of Drupal
Functionality
Drupal is certainly a CMS framework with guidelines. Regardless, it is far more agnostic than WordPress in terms of how one sets up their CMS. This platform offers a variety of different modules for common features such as users, content types. These content types are what they refer to as “Blocks”. Blocks are individual sections of a web page’s layout. All of which are very flexible, in terms of how they are put together.
Drupal is ideal for enterprise-level websites, where there may be a need for multiple different user role types, multiple page templates, as well as housing many different sites in the same CMS.
Security
Another huge advantage of Drupal is security. Partially due to its popularity, WordPress can potentially be an easy target for would-be hackers. Since WordPress sites often rely on third-party plugins for its functionality, it is possible for hackers to locate vulnerabilities in these plug-ins. Ultimately allowing the ability to penetrate the WordPress admin controls.
On the other hand, Drupal is well known for its security reputation. This may explain why this platform comes with a dedicated security team prepared to resolve any issues reported. Upon fixing the issue, Drupal’s security team will even offer advice to mitigate these problems in the future.
A few tactics that Drupal incorporates to ensure utmost security includes Brute Force Detection, Granular Access Control, and Secure Access.
Security: Brute Force Attack
However, the good news is that cracking a 10 character pass-code, built of a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols can take weeks or at times even months. Fortunately, Drupal anticipates cases like this. Which is why they incorporated a feature that limits the amount of times an IP address as a whole can log into the platform in a given amount of time. The attempted login history is displayed for the view of the administration.
Security: Granular Access Control
Secondly, when running a business where there is a variety of tasks for different positions to complete on an online platform, it can get a little controversial when giving complete power to everyone who must make edits/publishes to the site. Thankfully, through the use of granular access control administrators can define and enforce the roles of each individual specifically formulated to what it is they need to complete. Thus, inapplicable features are then blocked. In an attempt to disallow access in entirety where it is not necessary.
Security: Secure Access
One additional known Drupal function that peaked my interest was Secure Access. When a Drupal password is being stored in a database it is not encrypted. Rather, it goes through a process called salting and hashing. For example, the process of encryption is a two way function. This process involves scrambling and the opportunity to unscramble later on. Salting and hashing on the other hand is a one way function. When done correctly, there will be no way to reverse it and reveal the initial pass-code.
Disadvantages of Drupal
Backwards Compatibility
One often cited disadvantage of Drupal is its issue with backwards compatibility. When a new version of Drupal is released, there has been a history of transitioning to a higher type. This tends to be somewhat of complicated process. Certain modules are then deprecated. This ultimately results in features you have become accustomed to are no longer supported in newer versions. Upgrading to a new version of Drupal will no doubt require the experience of a web developer well-versed in the framework.
Learning Curve / Strong requirement of PHP knowledge
As touched on above, Drupal is known and intended for use by developers. This is due to the fact that it requires a certain command of PHP, and programming concepts that may otherwise be able to be mitigated with choosing WordPress. Learning PHP is not an easy task. Many have stated that to just get down the basics can take at minimum one month. But that is if you are consistent in learning. To master PHP it can surpass even two years. However, compared to other coding languages it is one of the more simpler ones to pick up. If you are looking to sharpen up your PHP knowledge or even if you are aiming to learn completely from scratch there are a number of online forums to turn to for guidance.
That being said, the tradeoff is the flexibility it offers for more complex sites. Which, in some cases, is a worthwhile compromise. Drupal 7 has a more of a distant PHP feel to it. However, Drupal 8 very closely resembles other PHP frameworks. In Drupal 7, a user was able to get decently far without PHP knowledge. But on version 8, many people are saying it is necessary that you come into it previous PHP knowledge. By having new users who are attempting Drupal already educated in PHP this will in turn decrease the learning curve because developers will already be extremely familiar working with similar systems.
Drupal vs. WordPress
WordPress is more of an easy-to-use platform for non-developers. You can use third-party plug-ins and themes to extend the features of WordPress without any customization. On the other hand, Drupal is specialized software with many built-in frameworks and solutions.
Anyone can learn to navigate their way through WordPress. However, becoming a Drupal Developer requires you to gain knowledge and build your skill-set by practicing new solutions. Drupal has an integrated control system for you to create roles and grant access permissions to each user.
WordPress is an out-of-the-box solution and comes at an affordable cost. On the other hand, Drupal requires customized implementation and specialist developers. Therefore, hiring a developer can be an expensive investment. Drupal also supports multilingual functions, whereas WordPress relies on third-party plug-ins for this option.
Last but not least, the taxonomy system in Drupal offers more flexibility than WordPress. This makes Drupal more efficient at handling a large chunk of content than WordPress.
Now that you know what Drupal is, how it works, and the benefits, you can make better decisions about using it for your next website development project. However, remember that if you are looking for a basic blogging site, a basic tool like WordPress will be easy to use and understand for non-developers.
However, if you are looking for a CMS-based website development solution that offers tons of features and modules with customization options, Drupal is the right answer.
How is Drupal better than WordPress?
In total, it accounts for just over 30% of all sites on the web. By contrast, Drupal has been used for just under 4% of all CMS-based websites and it accounts for 2% of all websites.” Perhaps the reason for this gap in usage is due to the ease of use in comparison with the two. Although Drupal lacks in overall awareness, this platform certainly does not lack in the functions it offers to users.
Advantage: Highly Custom Coded Theme
Many people love the fact that Drupal provides a highly custom coded theme, generating uniqueness across the board. For example, say you are running a website for a personal training gym that has ten different trainers. Well, with Drupal you would be able to create a personal trainer directory that can contain various fields. These fields can include anything such as name, number, short bio, and even a picture of themselves. You are even able to choose the display type for this information as well!
Support & Documentation
Like WordPress, Drupal is Open Source software. It is encompassed of a large community actively working on improving the framework and supplying excellent documentation for its developers. Drupal, is a mature CMS framework with most common uses well-documented, easing the process of getting started, ever since it was first released in 2000. As for support, because it takes a highly advanced developer to be able to accurately maneuver themselves in Drupal, the community is much smaller. Therefore, it can be extremely frustrating trying to find help when dealing with an urgent website issue if you are not interested in paying for a professional
Advantage: Taxonomy System
The complexity of Drupal’s taxonomy system when handling large amounts of content is another plus in comparison to WordPress. Taxonomy is the practice of organizing and classifying content. WordPress allows for a more flat tagging system. On the other hand, Drupal allows the user to include custom made relationships. In addition to potential personalization on the amount of information that is included in each category.
Overall, due to the complexity and potential customization Drupal offers its users it is more geared toward a website that requires multiple page templates: websites like Tesla and Nasdaq for instance. However, a website with a more simple layout will benefit more with the functionalities WordPress offers, such as BBC Professional and Bloomberg America.
Conclusion
After getting to know Drupal, I am certain you have concluded that if you are looking to make a site primarily for blogging purposes, WordPress is your way to go.
However, if you are looking to set yourself apart with a site that is unlike all the rest then certainly turn to Drupal.
Author Bio
Angelo Frisina is a highly experienced author and digital marketing expert with over two decades of experience in the field. He specializes in web design, app development, SEO, and blockchain technologies.
Angelo’s extensive knowledge of these areas has led to the creation of several numerous award winning websites and mobile applications, as well as the implementation of effective digital marketing strategies for a wide range of clients.
Angelo is also a respected consultant, sharing his insights and expertise through various podcasts and online digital marketing resources.
With a passion for staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the digital world, Angelo is a valuable asset to any organization looking to stay ahead in the digital landscape.
2 Comments
Love the manner in which you give the data inside and out, Thank you for sharing this blog….
Thanks Katty!