subject: Drupal Application Development And Services: Extensible Platform [print this page] Today websites require an extensible platform to compete in the existing online scenario. Drupal application development is simply a collection of files, which contain a set of routines written in PHP. It executes within the context of the website.
It uses all the functions and access all the variables and structures of the main engine. In fact it is a concept, which encourages better development model and better design principles. Drupal exploits the relational nature of its supported databases. It allows other modules to extend the objects with additional data fields.
The most interesting feature of Drupal web development is its established software design. The themes and modules do not encapsulate data. One module is separated from the other set of functions, which are contained. This generates unique examples. Drupal also makes extensive use of decorator pattern.
Drupal is described as a content management system or a content management framework. It is geared more towards configurability and customization. In Drupal you find such tools and systems that you can use easily for assembling your own custom news engine.
Now you can modify it and tweak it exactly according to your liking. You can use these systems and methods to make all sorts of engines and functional widgets. These functions can be combined endlessly to do all types of smart things beyond your imagination. All you need to do is to learn about some of the key tools of Drupal universe.
Drupal opens the whole new world of possibility, which exists outside the custom programming. Drupal has abstracted approach to handle web content and functions. You can connect with your database and have Drupal website, up and running quickly with a simple FTP upload and a few short web based configuration questions.
After that you have to pick one of the included themes and then start adding content. To get visitors log in, you can just switch an authentication on or off. To switch on some of the included tools you just have to turn on forums and attach the ability to comment on things and switch on user polls, etc.
With Drupal services your documents automatically get updates from the latest sources of Drupal and ensure you that your documents are up-to-date.
