Intro to Module Development

So, you’ve used Drupal to build a few sites. You know all about installing modules, configuration, and may have even used PHP a few times in your theme or (God forbid!) the PHP Input Filter. The time has come for you to stick your hands into the raw code itself and actually build a module of your own.

Don’t Panic!

Not all modules are as complex as Views. You can implement beneficial functionality with only a couple well-placed functions and hook implementations.

This session will guide you through the anatomy of a module and introduce you to the most commonly used hooks, functions, and Drupal conventions. We’ll explore:

• What makes a module, a module
• Namespacing functions
• Hooking into Drupal’s systems, such as menu, permission, node, etc.
• “_alter“ing existing features
• Using Drupal’s functions
• Security techniques
• Forms
• Write code the “Drupal way”
• More resources and examples

I’ll be focusing exclusively on Drupal 6 development.