Drupal training 4: Extending Drupal with Modules

Drupal's modular architecture is one of its standout features, offering developers a high degree of flexibility and customisation. This capability is primarily facilitated through a rich ecosystem of modules, both contributed and custom-built. For Drupal developers, mastering the balance between utilising existing modules from Drupal.org and creating custom modules is crucial for efficient and maintainable project development.

Why Use Contributed Modules

Contributed modules are extensions that are made available by the broader Drupal community on Drupal.org. These modules cover a wide range of functionalities and can significantly accelerate the development process by providing pre-built solutions to common needs. Some of the benefits of using contributed modules include:

• Time Efficiency: Contributed modules can save substantial development time by providing pre-existing solutions that only need to be configured.
• Community Support: Many contributed modules are actively maintained and supported by a community of developers, ensuring regular updates and patches.
• Proven Solutions: Popular modules have undergone extensive testing in numerous environments, making them reliable choices for various projects.

Considerations when Choosing a Contrib Module

Obviously, the first thing to consider is whether the module works with your version of Drupal.

After that, it's always useful to see how many sites report using the module. If it's used on a very large number of sites, that can be an indication that it works well and is well-tested. If it's only on a small number of sites, it could be an indication that it is buggy, or perhaps just a very new module.

Check the author and maintainers of the module. Are they well-known Drupal developers? If so, you can usually expect well-written, secure code.

Check if there's any documentation for how to use the module. If not, perhaps you can contribute this documentation to the community.

When the above is complete, scan the code of the module to make sure you don't see any critical flaws in it. If you do, file a bug report and/or a merge request to fix it.

When to Write Custom Modules

There are scenarios where the available contributed modules may not meet specific project needs, and writing a custom module becomes necessary. Situations that often call for custom module development include:

• Unique Functionalities: Projects with unique business requirements that are not addressed by existing modules may need custom solutions.
• Performance Optimisation: Custom modules can be tailored to optimise performance for specific use cases, eliminating overhead found in more generic modules.
• Integration Needs: When integrating with external APIs or systems, custom modules offer greater control and flexibility in handling interactions.
• Small Features: The functionality you require might exist in a large contrib module, but you just need a very small feature. In this case, it's often better to write a small module.

You can find more information about modules on the Drupal.org creating modules page.

Training in Module Development

Effective training in Drupal development should encompass both the use of contributed modules and the skills necessary to create simple custom modules. Such training ensures that developers can:

• Identify Module Requirements: Analyse project requirements to decide between using a contributed module or a custom solution.
• Configuring Contributed Modules: Learn how to configure and extend contributed modules to meet generalised needs.
• Building Custom Modules: Acquire fundamental skills to develop custom modules, starting from basic structure to advanced functionality.

By understanding when to leverage contributed modules and when to opt for custom solutions, developers can create robust, scalable, and maintainable Drupal applications. Continuous learning and hands-on practice in module development will empower developers to harness the full potential of Drupal's modular system.

Filed Under:

1. LocalGov Drupal
2. Drupal
3. Drupal Training