drupal 7 development: beginning module development

BEGINNING MODULE DEVELOPMENT

Joe Crespo | Developer, Aten Design Group

YOUR NOT-SO-HUMBLE PRESENTERDesktop publishing >> Graphic design >> Web design >> PHP developer >> Drupal

Joe Crespo | Developer, Aten Design Group

“Hello World”

PART 1

DRUPAL TOOLBOX

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 (IM). #drupal-colorado

5. api.drupal.org is your new best friend.

Beginning Module Development | Intro

DRUPAL TOOLBOX

Super-common Drupal functions we’ll look at today:

1. arg() - http://bit.ly/function_arg

2. form_set_error() - http://bit.ly/form_set_error

3. check_plain() - http://bit.ly/check_plain

4. t() - http://bit.ly/function_t

Super-common functions we probably won’t get to:

1. variable_get() - http://bit.ly/variable_get

2. variable_set() - http://bit.ly/variable_set

Beginning Module Development | Intro

DRUPAL TOOLBOX

The ‘devel’ module… essential! Essential!! ESSENTIAL!!!

Provides the world’s most useful function:

• dpm() - http://bit.ly/function_dpm

Gives you a great place to test your scripts:

• http://yoursite.domain/devel/php

Beginning Module Development | Intro

Hooks are functions automatically called during execution.

Your module makes changes to content or functionality by invoking these hooks.

Beginning Module Development | Getting Started

For example: Your Module Name: my_first_moduleDrupal Hook:  hook_form_alter()Module invokes Hook with my_first_module_form_alter()

DRUPAL TOOLBOX: HOOKS

DRUPAL TOOLBOX: HOOKS

Hooks you'll use constantly!

1. hook_init() - http://bit.ly/hook_init (sparingly!)

2. hook_form_alter() - http://bit.ly/form_alter

Other super-common hooks we won’t get to today:

1. hook_menu() - http://bit.ly/hook_menu

2. hook_node_presave() - http://bit.ly/hook_node_presave

3. hook_form_FORM_ID_alter() - http://bit.ly/hook_form_FORM_ID_alter

4. hook_form_BASE_FORM_ID_alter()- http://bit.ly/hook_form_BASE_FORM_ID_alter

Beginning Module Development | Intro

PART 2Rules of Thumb

DRUPAL DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES

“Every time you hack core, God kills a kitten”

Beginning Module Development | Rules of Thumb

DRUPAL PRESENTATION

OBLIGATORY KITTEN PHOTO

Separate Drupal core modules, contrib modules, and your custom modules.

ORGANIZING YOUR SITE

Beginning Module Development | Rules of Thumb

• 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.

BEFORE YOU START DEVELOPING A MODULE

Beginning Module Development | Rules of Thumb

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Beginning Module Development | Rules of Thumb

PART 3The long, long live demo(operating without a net)

CONCLUSION

BEGINNING MODULE DEVELOPMENT

Joe Crespo | Developer, Aten Design Group