Drupal is an open source content management system that is widely used in the web development industry. One of the biggest strengths of Drupal is its vast ecosystem of contributed modules that provide additional functionality to the core. In this article, we'll discuss why you should use Drupal contributed modules and how to determine their quality.
Benefits of using contributed modules
Time-Saving
Contributed Drupal modules can save developers a lot of time and effort. Instead of building custom functionality from scratch, developers can use pre-built modules that have already been tested and optimized for the specific purpose they need. Many Drupal modules have already solved common problems and can be easily integrated into a project with minimal effort.
Cost-Effective
Using contributed Drupal modules is often more cost-effective than building custom functionality from scratch. Custom development can be expensive and time-consuming, whereas using a free or low-cost contributed module can save both time and money. By leveraging existing modules, developers can reduce the overall cost of a project without sacrificing quality or functionality.
Community Support
Drupal has a large community of active developers who regularly contribute to the platform. Contributed modules are developed and maintained by this community, which means developers can benefit from the collective expertise of thousands of other Drupal developers. If a developer encounters an issue or needs additional functionality, there's a good chance that someone in the community has already encountered the same problem and developed a solution.
Security
Contributed Drupal modules are often more secure than custom-built solutions. Security vulnerabilities are identified by other developers and addressed by following higher software security standards. When a developer uses a contributed module, they can be confident that they are incorporating security best practices into their project.
What do you need to take into account when finding a contributed module.
Code Quality
Code quality is an important aspect to consider. A good Drupal contributed module should follow Drupal coding standards and best practices. You can evaluate the code quality by reviewing the module's source code, if the code is poorly written or difficult to understand, it could indicate that the module is not well-maintained.
Maintenance Status
Considering the maintenance status of a module is crucial. A reliable Drupal contributed module ought to receive periodic updates, bug fixes, and security patches. To assess the maintenance status, you can review the module's release notes, issue queue, and commit history.
Documentation
Clear and concise documentation is a hallmark of a dependable module. It should provide a detailed explanation of the module's functionality, installation process, and usage instructions. In addition, the documentation ought to incorporate suitable examples and screenshots to enhance its clarity.
Compatibility
For a Drupal contributed module to be deemed satisfactory, it must be compatible with the version of Drupal being utilized. It's advisable to peruse the module's release notes and issue queue to confirm if there are any glitches or challenges associated with your particular Drupal version.
Usage
Another important aspect to consider is the popularity of the Drupal contributed module. A reliable module would have a vibrant community of users and developers who can give feedback, offer support, and participate in the continuous enhancement of the module.