CMS Part Notes

What is a website?
A website is a collection of web pages that are linked together and share a
domain name. Websites are typically hosted on a web server and are accessible
to users through a browser.
Website Setup
• Domain Registration: The first step is to register a suitable domain name
for your business, such as www.opensourcecook.in.
• Getting Web Space: Next, you need space on a web server to host your
site. This can be done by setting up your own server or purchasing space
from hosting providers.
• Domain Pointing: Once you have web space, you need to point your
domain to the server using a domain control panel. This links your
domain to your server, similar to advertising a business address.
• Setting Up Content: Finally, load your website with content by creating
static or dynamic web pages. You can also use a Web Content
Management System (CMS) for easier content management.

To establish a web presence today, having your own website with a proper
domain name lends credibility. The first step is registering a domain. A domain
simplifies access to your site by providing an easy-to-remember name that
maps to your server's IP address.
Key Concepts:
1. Domain: A human-friendly name that replaces an IP address (e.g.,
"example.com").
2. Top-Level Domains (TLDs): Suffixes like .com, .net, .org, etc. You can
explore all options on sites like ICANN or IANA.
3. Registrant: The individual or entity that owns the domain.
4. Registrar: A service accredited by ICANN that registers domains for
registrants. You can buy domain names from registrars or hosting
providers.
Domain and Hosting:
• Hosting: To put your website online, you need a web server. Hosting
providers offer packages with server space, control panels (e.g., cPanel,
Plesk), and domain registration services.
• Domain Control Panel vs. Hosting Control Panel:
o Domain Control Panel: Manages your domain settings, allowing
you to point the domain to your server and update contacts or
credentials.
o Hosting Control Panel: Manages the technical aspects of your
website like files, databases, emails, and backups.
In conclusion, register a domain, choose reliable hosting, and ensure you
renew your domain to maintain your web presence.

Static Website
A static website presents fixed content that only changes when manually
updated by the developer or administrator. It primarily uses HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript, without relying on server-side technologies like databases or PHP.
Static websites are straightforward to host, typically requiring just a web server
(e.g., Apache), and are efficient and secure.
Key Characteristics:
• Fixed Content: Each page is a separate file with no dynamic updates.
• No Server-Side Processing: Content is delivered directly from the server
without scripts like PHP or Python.
• Simplicity and Performance: Fast and efficient, requiring minimal server
resources.
• Security: Lack of server-side processing reduces attack vulnerabilities.
• Easy Hosting: Can be hosted on simple web servers or CDNs.
Website Management:
• Development: Requires knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and
sometimes FTP or SSH for managing files.
 • Content Updates: Pages must be manually edited and redeployed.
• Deployment: Upload site files to a web server once development is
complete.
Challenges:
• Manual Updates: Frequent content changes are cumbersome without
automation.
• Technical Knowledge: Requires basic coding and server management
skills.
• Lack of Content Editing Interface: No easy-to-use CMS for non-technical
users.
• Managing Large Sites: As pages increase, maintaining links and content
becomes difficult.
• Repeated Content: Headers, footers, and menus must be updated across
all pages manually.
• Limited Dynamic Features: No form handling, email services, or user
registration.
• SEO Management: Manual metadata updates for SEO can be tedious.
Advantages:
• Performance and Speed: Fast load times due to pre-built files.
• Simplicity: Easy to set up and deploy with no database dependencies.
• Security: Fewer vulnerabilities due to no server-side scripts.
• Cost-Effective: Can be hosted cheaply on basic servers or CDNs.
• SEO Benefits: Faster load times improve search rankings.
• No Server-Side Dependencies: Reduced risk of server-side issues.
Static websites are ideal for projects with fixed content, providing excellent
performance, security, and simplicity. However, they are less suitable for
dynamic, interactive, or frequently changing sites.
Content Management System (CMS)
A Content Management System (CMS) is a software application that allows
users to manage digital content easily, focusing on creating, retrieving,
updating, and deleting (CRUD) content. It is particularly useful for websites,
offering non-technical users a platform to build, edit, and manage website
content without needing programming knowledge.
Key Concepts:
1. Content: In the digital world, content refers to data stored in electronic
format, such as:
o Text: Emails, articles, blog posts, etc.
o Images: Photos, graphics, screenshots, etc.
o Audio/Video: Music, animations, recordings, etc.
o Software: Other digital applications or programs.
2. Management System: Like a library, a content management system
organizes content so it can be accessed efficiently. In digital systems, this
involves organizing files and directories, often with the help of operating
systems or file managers.
Types of CMS:
1. Web Content Management System (Web CMS):
o Designed specifically for managing website content (pages,
articles, posts, etc.).
o Offers features like:
▪ Navigation and content linking.
▪ Content categorization.
▪ User access control.
▪ Search functionality.
o Examples include WordPress for blogs and articles. Most CMS
platforms today are flexible and scalable for various purposes.
 2. Content Management Framework (CMF):
o A CMF provides CMS functionality but is designed as a base for
further development.
o It requires more customization and technical expertise to set up.
o Example: Drupal can be used as a CMS but also serves as a CMF
due to its flexibility.
3. Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS):
o An advanced form of CMS tailored for organizations.
o Incorporates workflow management, collaboration, and process
automation (e.g., leave requests, approval workflows).
o ECMS is typically used for managing structured organizational
processes and workflows.
Conclusion:
A CMS simplifies content management by providing an easy-to-use interface
for both programmers and non-programmers. Depending on the purpose,
usage, and complexity, one may choose a CMS for general content
management, a CMF for flexible development needs, or an ECMS for managing
enterprise-level workflows and processes. All CMS types enhance efficiency by
allowing users to focus on content creation rather than its organization.

CMS Architecture
There are four main types of Content Management System (CMS)
architecture, each designed for different levels of complexity and use cases.
These architectures enable organizations to create, manage, and distribute
content across multiple platforms. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Traditional (Monolithic or Coupled) CMS Architecture
• Front-end and back-end are tightly connected.
• Core elements:
o A back-end database for content storage.
o A content management platform for content creation.
 o A front-end layer for displaying content.
• Advantages:
o Easy to implement "out-of-the-box."
o Ideal for simple websites.
o Low cost and user-friendly for non-technical users.
• Drawbacks:
o Content is web-exclusive and hard to repurpose across channels.
o Limited content types and frameworks supported.
o Backend updates are complex and risky.
o Slow, less agile, and prone to security vulnerabilities.
2. Decoupled CMS Architecture
• Front-end and back-end are separated, allowing independent
management.
• Core elements:
o Backend content management system.
o Separate front-end publishing platform.
o APIs to connect them.
• Advantages:
o Greater flexibility with API integrations.
o Changes to the back-end don’t disrupt the front-end.
o Better security and faster content delivery.
• Drawbacks:
o More expensive and complex than traditional CMS.
o Requires additional technical expertise.
3. Headless CMS Architecture
• No pre-defined front-end; content is pushed across different platforms
via APIs.
 • Core elements:
o A back-end for content creation and storage.
o APIs for delivering content.
• Advantages:
o Total freedom to choose front-end technology.
o Enables omnichannel content delivery (web, mobile, IoT, etc.).
• Drawbacks:
o Requires developers to build custom front-end solutions.
o No built-in personalization or analytics.
o Not user-friendly for non-technical marketers.
4. Hybrid CMS Architecture
• Combines features of headless and traditional CMS.
• Core elements:
o APIs for front-end flexibility.
o Tools for content preview, personalization, and analytics.
• Advantages:
o Flexible delivery and development options.
o Real-time analytics and personalized content.
o User-friendly features like WYSIWYG editing.
• Drawbacks:
o More complex and expensive than other CMS types.
o May require external expertise.
How to Choose the Right CMS
When choosing a CMS architecture, consider these 9 core factors:
1. Editorial functionality: User-friendly tools, live preview, design flexibility.
2. Workflow and organization: Strong content modeling and reporting
tools.
 3. User administration: Tailored permissions and regulatory compliance.
4. Security: Tight access controls and integration with security systems.
5. Multichannel scalability: Ability to deliver content across multiple
channels.
6. Global support: Multisite, multilingual capabilities, and localization.
7. Flexibility and scalability: Cloud compatibility, performance
improvements, APIs.
8. Personalization and analytics: Data-driven insights for content
optimization.
9. Ecommerce integration: Unified interfaces, automation, and user-
generated content support.
In summary, each CMS architecture type offers different benefits, and choosing
the right one depends on your organization’s content management needs,
budget, and technical resources

Technologies required for CMS

• Server Setup
• Operating System
• Web Server
• Database
• Server-Side Scripting Language
• Mail Server

WordPress
WordPress is a powerful and versatile content management system (CMS) that
enables users to create, manage, and publish websites easily. Initially launched
in 2003 as a blogging platform, WordPress has evolved into one of the most
popular CMS platforms globally, powering over 40% of all websites on the
internet. Here’s an overview of its key features, functionality, and components.
Key Features of WordPress
1. User-Friendly Interface:
o WordPress offers an intuitive dashboard that makes it easy for
users, even those with minimal technical skills, to create and
manage content.
2. Themes and Customization:
o Users can choose from thousands of free and premium themes to
customize the look and feel of their websites. Themes can be
modified through the WordPress Customizer or by editing the
code directly.
3. Plugins:
o WordPress has a vast ecosystem of plugins (over 58,000 available)
that extend its functionality. Plugins can add features such as SEO
optimization, social media integration, e-commerce capabilities,
and more.
4. Content Management:
o WordPress makes it easy to create, edit, and organize content
through its built-in editor. Users can create various content types,
including posts, pages, and custom post types.
5. SEO-Friendly:
o WordPress is designed with search engine optimization (SEO) in
mind. It provides clean permalink structures, customizable meta
tags, and various SEO plugins to enhance visibility in search
engines.
6. Responsive Design:
o Many themes are mobile-friendly and responsive, ensuring that
websites look good on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
7. Community Support:
o WordPress has a large and active community, providing extensive
documentation, forums, and resources to help users troubleshoot
issues and learn more about the platform.
 8. Multilingual Support:
o WordPress supports multiple languages, making it easy to create
multilingual websites. Various plugins are available for translation
and localization.
9. Media Management:
o Users can easily upload, organize, and manage media files (images,
videos, audio) through the media library.
10.Security Features:
o WordPress is regularly updated to address security vulnerabilities.
Users can also enhance security through plugins and best
practices.
Components of WordPress
1. Core Software:
• The essential codebase that powers the WordPress CMS. Users can
download and install it for free from the official WordPress website.
2. Themes:
• Pre-designed templates that determine the visual appearance of a
WordPress site. Themes can be customized and modified according to
user preferences.
3. Plugins:
• Extensions that add specific features and functionalities to a WordPress
site. Popular examples include WooCommerce (for e-commerce), Yoast
SEO (for search engine optimization), and Contact Form 7 (for forms).
4. Widgets:
• Small blocks that perform specific functions and can be added to various
areas of a theme, such as sidebars and footers. Widgets can display
recent posts, categories, tags, custom HTML, and more.
5. Posts and Pages:
• Posts: Regularly updated content, typically used for blog entries, news
articles, or updates. Posts can be categorized and tagged.
 • Pages: Static content that does not change frequently, such as the About,
Contact, and Privacy Policy pages.
6. Users and Roles:
• WordPress has a built-in user management system. Users can have
different roles (Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, Subscriber)
with varying permissions to manage the site.

Blog posts and Pages

Here's a brief comparison between Blog Posts and Pages in WordPress:
Blog Posts:
• Dynamic content that is typically used for news, updates, or articles.
• Displayed in reverse chronological order (newest first).
• Can be categorized and tagged for better organization and discovery.
• Associated with categories and tags.
• Often part of a blog section on a WordPress site.
• Date-based content (can be time-sensitive).
• Users can comment on posts (if enabled).
Pages:
• Static content that usually remains the same over time (e.g., About,
Contact, Privacy Policy).
• Not categorized or tagged like blog posts.
• Typically, part of the site’s main structure (e.g., menus or footer).
• No publication dates or time-based organization.
• Generally non-commentable (though comments can be enabled).
• Used for important, evergreen content that doesn’t change frequently.
In summary, posts are dynamic and time-sensitive, while pages are static and
evergreen.
Categories and Tags
In WordPress, Categories and Tags are used to organize and classify content,
helping visitors easily navigate and find relevant information. Both are types of
taxonomies, but they serve different purposes:
Categories:
• Broad grouping of posts (e.g., News, Tutorials, Reviews).
• Hierarchical: You can create parent and child categories for more refined
organization.
• Required: Every post must have at least one category, but it can have
multiple.
• Helps in organizing content into broad sections of your site.
• Categories often appear in the site’s menu or sidebar.
Tags:
• Specific keywords or topics related to a post (e.g., "WordPress," "SEO,"
"Tips").
• Non-hierarchical: Tags are flat, without parent-child relationships.
• Optional: You can add multiple tags to posts, but it’s not mandatory.
• Used for fine-grained, detailed classification of content.
• Helps improve searchability and SEO by associating relevant keywords
with posts.
Key Differences:
• Categories are used for broad grouping, while tags are used for specific
details.
• Posts must have at least one category but can have many tags.
• Categories often show up in site navigation, while tags are more focused
on search and content relevance.
Both categories and tags enhance user experience by making content easier to
find and organize.
Installing Plugins in WordPress
Method 1: From the WordPress Dashboard
1. Login to your WordPress admin panel (yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for the plugin you want to install using the search bar.
4. Once you find the plugin, click Install Now.
5. After installation, click Activate to enable the plugin.
Method 2: Uploading a Plugin
1. Download the plugin file from the plugin provider (usually a .zip file).
2. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Click the Upload Plugin button at the top.
4. Click Choose File, select the plugin file (.zip), and click Install Now.
5. Once installed, click Activate.
Method 3: Installing via FTP
1. Download the plugin in .zip format.
2. Extract the plugin folder.
3. Using an FTP client (like FileZilla), upload the plugin folder to the /wp-
content/plugins/ directory.
4. After uploading, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in the dashboard and
activate the plugin.

Installing Themes in WordPress

Method 1: From the WordPress Dashboard
1. Login to your WordPress admin panel.
2. Go to Appearance > Themes.
3. Click Add New at the top of the page.
 4. Browse through the theme directory or use the search bar to find the
theme you want.
5. Once you find the theme, click Install and then Activate.
Method 2: Uploading a Theme
1. Download the theme in .zip format from a theme provider.
2. Go to Appearance > Themes.
3. Click the Add New button and then Upload Theme.
4. Click Choose File, select the theme file (.zip), and click Install Now.
5. After installation, click Activate.
Method 3: Installing via FTP
1. Download the theme in .zip format.
2. Extract the theme folder.
3. Use an FTP client to upload the theme folder to the /wp-
content/themes/ directory.
4. After uploading, go to Appearance > Themes, and activate the theme.

Users and Roles in WordPress

In WordPress, users and profiles are integral to managing permissions and
access across the site. WordPress has a built-in user management system that
allows you to assign different roles to users, each with varying levels of access
and control over the site.
WordPress User Roles
WordPress comes with several predefined user roles, each having a specific set
of permissions:
1. Administrator:
o Full access to all aspects of the site.
o Can install and delete plugins, themes, and manage users.
o Can edit and delete all content, including posts and pages.
 o Can adjust site settings and configure the WordPress installation.
2. Editor:
o Can publish and manage posts, including posts written by other
users.
o Can moderate comments and manage categories, tags, and other
content-related features.
o Cannot install plugins or themes or manage site settings.
3. Author:
o Can create, edit, publish, and delete their own posts.
o Cannot edit posts written by others or access site settings.
o Can upload media files (like images).
4. Contributor:
o Can write and edit their own posts, but cannot publish them.
o Posts must be reviewed and published by an Editor or
Administrator.
o Cannot upload files (e.g., images or media).
5. Subscriber:
o Can manage their own profile and view content on the site.
o Often used for user registration and login systems.
o Cannot create or edit posts or pages.
6. Custom Roles (Optional):
o Developers can create custom roles with specific permissions
suited to the needs of the site. This can be done using a plugin like
"User Role Editor."
Managing Users in WordPress
Adding a New User
1. Login to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to Users > Add New.
 3. Fill in the required information:
o Username: The unique name the user will use to log in.
o Email: The user’s email address.
o First Name/Last Name: Optional, but can be added for better user
management.
o Role: Assign the appropriate role (Administrator, Editor, etc.).
4. Click Add New User.
Editing a User Profile
1. Navigate to Users > All Users.
2. Find the user you want to edit and click Edit.
3. Edit profile information such as name, email, website, or password.
4. Update the User Role if needed.
5. Click Update User to save changes.
User Profile Settings
• Personal Information: Each user can add personal information like their
first name, last name, nickname, and display name.
• Contact Information: Users can add an email address and website URL.
• Password: Users can change their password from their profile page. For
security, WordPress encourages strong passwords.
• Avatar: Users can set an avatar (profile picture) through the Gravatar
service.
Viewing Users
To view all users:
1. Go to Users > All Users in the admin panel.
2. Here, you can view a list of all registered users, including their username,
email, role, and status (active or pending).
Managing User Permissions
 • User Role Editor Plugin: To further manage and customize permissions
for each role, you can use the User Role Editor plugin. It allows you to
fine-tune what each role can or cannot do on the site.
Front-End User Profiles (For Membership Sites)
If your site has a membership system or you want users to interact more with
their profiles:
• You can use plugins like Ultimate Member or ProfileGrid to create front-
end user profiles where users can manage their own profiles without
accessing the WordPress dashboard.
Best Practices for User Management
• Assign roles carefully to ensure security and avoid giving too many
permissions to users who don’t need them.
• Regularly review users and their access levels, especially on larger sites.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for users with high-level access
(e.g., Administrators) to enhance security.
• Use plugins like WP Activity Log to monitor and track user activity on the
site.
By understanding and managing users and profiles in WordPress, you can
effectively control access and maintain security on your site.

Drupal
The Drupal Admin Interface is the central hub for managing a Drupal site,
designed to give site administrators control over content, configuration, users,
and more. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for site maintenance,
content management, and customization. Here’s a detailed summary of its core
components:
1. Admin Toolbar
The admin toolbar, located at the top of the screen, offers quick access to
important site management sections:
• Dashboard: A summary of site activity such as recent content updates
and system alerts.
 • Content: Manage content such as pages, articles, and custom post types.
• Structure: Organize site elements like content types, menus, blocks, and
views.
• Appearance: Control the visual design by managing themes.
• Extend: Install, enable, or disable modules to extend functionality.
• Configuration: Set up site-wide settings such as URL aliases, file systems,
and performance optimizations.
• People: Manage users, roles, and permissions.
• Reports: View logs, performance reports, and security notices.
2. Content Management
This section allows for the creation, viewing, and management of content such
as pages, articles, and custom content types. Admins can organize content
using tags, categories, and other taxonomies, and control how content is
displayed through bulk actions or manual management.
3. Structure
The Structure section allows admins to define how content is organized and
presented on the site:
• Content Types: Define types of content (e.g., articles, pages) and their
associated fields.
• Taxonomy: Manage categories, tags, and other classifications that
organize content.
• Menus: Create and manage site navigation structures.
• Blocks: Manage and place content into specific sections of the site, such
as sidebars or footers.
• Views: Create custom queries and display content in various formats like
lists, tables, or grids.
• Layouts: Organize the visual layout of pages using block placements or
layout builders.
4. Appearance
This section lets you control the look and feel of the site by:
 • Managing the active theme.
• Installing new themes from the Drupal repository or uploading custom
themes.
• Adjusting theme settings such as logo, colors, fonts, and more.
5. Extend (Modules)
Modules in Drupal add functionality to the site. The Extend section allows you
to:
• Enable or disable existing modules.
• Install new modules from the Drupal repository or upload custom ones.
• Manage module dependencies to ensure proper functionality.
6. Configuration
The Configuration section is where you manage site-wide settings:
• Site Information: Configure general settings like site name, slogan, and
default email.
• URL Aliases: Create user-friendly URLs for pages and content.
• Regional Settings: Set the site’s time zone, date formats, and language.
• File System: Manage file storage paths and temporary directories.
• Performance: Optimize the site by configuring caching and page
compression.
• Security: Set up security-related configurations like user login limits and
file access controls.
• Backup and Migrate: Backup and restore your site as needed.
7. People (User Management)
The People section is used for managing users and permissions:
• Users: Add, edit, or delete user accounts.
• Roles: Create and assign different roles (e.g., Administrator, Editor,
Subscriber).
 • Permissions: Set permissions for each role to control what actions users
can perform on the site.
8. Reports
This section provides insight into the site’s performance and logs:
• Recent Log Messages: View warnings, errors, and site activity logs.
• Status Reports: Monitor site health, including module status and
security settings.
• Security Advisories: Check for available security updates for modules
and the core system.
9. Maintenance Mode
Admins can enable maintenance mode to temporarily take the site offline,
displaying a maintenance message to visitors while allowing admin access for
updates or troubleshooting.
10. Multilingual Management (If enabled)
Drupal’s multilingual features, if configured, allow you to:
• Add and manage multiple languages for content.
• Translate content to different languages.
• Set up language switching features for users.
11. Additional Features
• Admin Toolbar: A user-friendly dropdown toolbar that provides quick
links to different sections of the admin interface.
• Content Moderation: Workflow tools for managing how content is
published, reviewed, or approved before going live.
• Shortcuts: Admins can set up custom shortcuts to frequently used
sections, making site management more efficient.
• Responsive Design: The admin interface is mobile-friendly, enabling
administrators to manage the site on mobile devices.
Modules and Themes
In Drupal, themes and modules are essential components that control the
appearance and functionality of a website.
Themes:
• Purpose: Define the visual appearance and layout of the site (colors,
fonts, design).
• Key Components: Templates, CSS, JavaScript, and images.
• Management: Can be activated, deactivated, and customized from the
Appearance section.
• Types of Themes:
1. Core Themes: Default themes included with Drupal (e.g., Bartik).
2. Contributed Themes: Developed by the community and available
in the Drupal theme repository.
3. Custom Themes: Created specifically for a site’s needs or modified
from existing themes.
Modules:
• Purpose: Add or extend the functionality of the site (e.g., SEO, user
management, content display).
• Types of Modules:
1. Core Modules: Essential functionalities like user management and
content types (e.g., Views, Taxonomy).
2. Contributed Modules: Additional features created by the
community (e.g., Metatag, Webform).
3. Custom Modules: Custom-built functionalities for unique site
needs.
Differences:
• Themes focus on design, while modules focus on functionality.
Both can be installed, managed, and configured through the Drupal admin
interface, allowing for a highly customizable site.
Regions, Blocks and Menus
In Drupal, regions, blocks, and menus are key components for organizing
content, navigation, and layout. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each concept
and how they work together:
1. Regions
• Definition: Regions are predefined areas in the theme where content can
be placed, such as headers, footers, sidebars, or custom sections of a
page.
• Role: They provide structure for how content is displayed on the page.
• Example: Common regions in themes include:
o Header
o Footer
o Sidebar
o Content
o Navigation
o Pre-footer
• Customization: Theme developers define regions in the theme files, but
administrators can assign content to these regions via the Block layout
section in the Drupal admin interface.
2. Blocks
• Definition: A block is a piece of content that can be placed into regions
of the site. Blocks can contain anything from text and images to forms
and views.
• Role: Blocks are used to display content in different parts of the page
(e.g., sidebars, footers) and can be used to add widgets, notifications, or
dynamic content like forms.
• Examples:
o Custom text or HTML
o Recent posts
 o Login form
o Social media links
• Types of Blocks:
1. Custom Blocks: Created by the admin to display custom content or
HTML.
2. System Blocks: Built-in blocks like login, search, and navigation menus.
3. Views Blocks: Dynamic blocks created using Views (e.g., lists of content,
latest articles).
• Management: Blocks are managed and placed into regions through the
Block layout interface in the admin section.
3. Menus
• Definition: Menus provide navigation for your site. They consist of a list
of links (e.g., home, about, contact) that direct users to various parts of
the site.
• Role: Menus help visitors easily navigate the site and access different
content sections.
• Types of Menus:
1. Main Menu: The primary navigation for the site (often displayed at
the top of the page).
2. Secondary Menus: Additional navigation menus, such as footer
menus or sidebars.
3. Custom Menus: Created by the admin for specific purposes, like
an admin menu or content-specific navigation.
• Management: Menus are created and managed from the Structure →
Menus section in the admin interface. You can add, edit, and delete
menu links, as well as reorder them.
Managing Blocks in Drupal
• Adding Blocks:
o Navigate to Structure → Block layout.
o Click on + Add block to create a new block.
 o Enter content (text, HTML, etc.) or use a view to display dynamic
content.
• Placing Blocks:
o In Block layout, you can assign blocks to specific regions by
dragging and dropping them.
o Define visibility settings for each block, such as which pages, user
roles, or content types the block should appear on.
• Block Visibility:
o Blocks can be shown based on conditions like specific pages,
content types, or user roles.
o You can manage visibility from the block's settings page, ensuring
they only appear in relevant contexts.
Managing Menus in Drupal
• Creating a Menu:
o Go to Structure → Menus → + Add menu.
o Name the menu, and set the title and description (optional).
• Adding Menu Items:
o Under the same Menus section, click Add menu link.
o Specify the link title and path (e.g., /about-us) to point to specific
pages.
• Reordering Menu Items:
o From the Menus section, you can reorder the menu items by
dragging them into the desired order.
• Menu Blocks:
o Menus can be converted into menu blocks that are placed into
regions using the Block layout interface. This allows you to display
navigation menus in different areas of the site (e.g., sidebar,
footer).
Key Points:
• Regions provide the framework for where content (like blocks) can
appear on the page.
• Blocks are used to display content in these regions. They can be static
(custom content) or dynamic (e.g., using Views).
• Menus organize navigation links and can be placed as blocks in specific
regions.
Together, regions, blocks, and menus allow for a highly flexible and
customizable layout, enabling admins to control both the content and the
navigation of their site.

Drupal Views
Drupal Views is a powerful module that allows you to create dynamic,
customizable content displays without coding. It is used to query, filter, and
present content in various formats (e.g., lists, grids, tables).

Drupal Content Types

In Drupal, content types define the structure and fields of various types of
content on a site (e.g., Articles, Blog Posts, or Events). You can create new
content types or manage existing ones through the Drupal admin interface.
Creating New Content Types:
Creating a new content type allows you to define a custom structure for
specific types of content on your site.
Steps to Create a New Content Type:
1. Navigate to Content Types:
o Go to Structure → Content types.
2. Add Content Type:
o Click on + Add content type.
3. Define Basic Settings:
 o Name: Give the content type a name (e.g., "Event", "Product", or
"Testimonial").
o Description: Optionally provide a description that explains the
purpose of this content type.
o Submission Form Settings: Define how the content submission
form will behave (e.g., title and body fields).
o Publishing Options: Choose whether content will be published
automatically or manually.
4. Customize Fields:
o After creating the content type, you can add custom fields (e.g.,
image, date, price) that are specific to this type of content.
o Fields can be added by going to Manage fields and selecting the
type of field you want (text, image, date, etc.).
5. Content Type Display:
o Configure how the content will be displayed when viewed on the
site by going to Manage display.
o Here you can arrange the fields and choose how they will be
presented (e.g., as a list, in a table).
6. Save:
o After configuring the content type, save your changes. The new
content type is now available for content creators to use.
Working with Existing Content Types:
You can manage existing content types to modify their structure or display
settings as needed.
Managing Existing Content Types:
1. Edit Content Type:
o Go to Structure → Content types and select the content type you
want to edit.
o Click Edit next to the content type’s name.
2. Modify Fields:
 o You can add new fields or modify existing ones under Manage
fields.
o Fields can be reordered, deleted, or edited based on your needs
(e.g., changing a field's label or type).
3. Edit Display Settings:
o Go to Manage display to customize how fields are shown on the
front end.
o You can choose between different formats (e.g., rendered, hidden,
or inline).
4. Change Content Type Settings:
o You can modify settings like publishing options, menu settings, and
URL aliases from the Edit page of the content type.
o For instance, you can define whether content should have a
specific URL path (e.g., /events) or allow users to edit it.
5. Delete Content Type:
o If needed, you can delete a content type by going to Structure →
Content types and selecting Delete for the content type you want
to remove.
o Be careful, as deleting a content type will also delete all associated
content.
Examples of Common Content Types:
• Article: Used for blog posts or news articles.
• Page: Used for static pages like "About Us" or "Contact".
• Event: Used for events with fields like date, location, and time.
• Product: Used for e-commerce with fields like price, SKU, and image.
Key Points:
• Content Types allow for structuring different types of content based on
their purpose.
• Fields (like text, images, dates) can be added to customize the content
type.
 • Display settings can be configured to control how content appears on
the front-end.
In summary, creating and managing content types in Drupal is a flexible way to
organize and display different types of content according to your site’s needs.

Users and Roles in Drupal

In Drupal, Users and Roles are essential components for managing access
control and permissions. Users represent individuals or entities who interact
with the site, while roles define the access and permissions for those users.
Together, users and roles form the foundation of Drupal’s access control
system.
Users in Drupal:
• Users are registered individuals who can log in to the site and perform
various tasks, depending on their assigned role and permissions.
• Users can be authenticated (log in) or anonymous (view content without
logging in).
• Each user has a profile containing personal details like username, email,
password, and roles.
Creating Users in Drupal:
1. Navigate to User Management:
o Go to People → + Add user in the Drupal admin interface.
2. Enter User Details:
o Username: Provide a unique username for the user.
o Email: Enter the user's email address.
o Password: Set a password for the user.
o Status: Choose whether the account will be Active (enabled) or
Blocked (disabled).
o Roles: Assign one or more roles to the user (this determines their
permissions on the site).
3. Save the User:
 o After entering the details, click Create new account to add the
user.
4. User Profile:
o Users can edit their profiles to update personal information or
change their password.
User Permissions:
Each role is associated with permissions that define what users can and cannot
do on the site. These permissions are set by the site administrator.

Roles in Drupal:
• Roles define a set of permissions that determine what actions users can
perform on the site (e.g., content creation, access to specific pages, or
site administration).
• Users can have one or more roles, and each role can have different
permissions.
Adding New Roles in Drupal:
1. Navigate to Roles Management:
o Go to People → Roles (in the admin interface).
2. Add a New Role:
o Click on + Add role.
o Provide a Role name (e.g., "Editor", "Contributor", "Moderator").
o Click Save to create the role.
3. Assign Permissions to the Role:
o After creating the role, go to People → Permissions.
o In the permissions page, you will see a list of available
permissions, organized by module.
o Check the appropriate boxes to assign permissions to the role
(e.g., content creation, editing, user management).
o Click Save permissions to apply the changes.
 4. Assign the Role to a User:
o To assign a role to a user, go to People → Select the user → Edit.
o Under the Roles section, check the desired role for the user.
o Save the changes.

Common Roles in Drupal:

• Anonymous User: Users who are not logged in. Can typically view
content but have limited access to site functionality.
• Authenticated User: Logged-in users who may have access to more
features than anonymous users.
• Administrator: Users with full access to all site settings and content. This
role usually has permissions to manage users, configure modules, and
manage content.
• Editor: A role for users who can create and edit content but may not
have access to admin features.
• Content Author: Users who can submit new content but might not be
able to edit or delete existing content.

Key Points:
• Users represent individuals or entities who interact with the site, and
they are assigned roles that determine their capabilities.
• Roles define what users can do on the site, and permissions are granted
to roles to control access to content and administrative features.
• Users can be assigned one or more roles, and these roles can be
customized according to the needs of the site.
• Permissions for roles can be fine-tuned, allowing for precise control over
access to different parts of the site and its functionality.
In summary, creating users and roles in Drupal allows you to manage access
control effectively, ensuring the right people have the right access to various
parts of the site.