Automation has simplified almost everything today and Drupal development is no exception. Drupal developers can now leverage the power of automation to create websites effortlessly and take Drupal development services to a whole new sphere. With automation, it is possible to perform a majority of operations such as managing modules, users, and generating code with a single command. Imagine the extent of productivity boost you’ll accomplish as a Drupal developer if you automate some processes. Besides, companies now prefer to hire Drupal developers with the power of automation in their arsenal.
Given that, if you aspire to get hired by a top-notch Drupal development company, you should begin experimenting with the following tools.
7 Handy Solutions for Drupal Developers That Simplify Drupal Development
1. Drupal console
The Drupal console is an effective command line interface. With it, you can create boilerplate code and debug Drupal CMS. The latest version of this powerful tool was released on November 28, 2021. It is v1.9.8. You’ll be glad to know that adding the Drupal console to your project is a piece of cake. All you require is a single command:
Once you add the Drupal console, you can effortlessly use various commands provided by it. Given below are some examples to help you understand the tool’s functioning better.
Module generation
Entity generation
User creation
Service generation
So, this is how the Drupal console opens up a world of possibilities for you. Besides, it also enables you to run a local PHP server to test your website.
The following command will launch a local server on port 8088.
2. Examples for developers
As the name suggests, examples for developers is a project dedicated to Drupal developers. It can help you learn how to create your own unique Drupal modules. Amazing, isn’t it? 33 different modules are available to help you get the hang of things. From simple blocks to controllers with REST API support, you’ll find everything imaginable.
By taking a plunge into this project, you can learn numerous new things, expand your skills, improve your efficiency, and take your Drupal development services to a whole new sphere. So, are you ready to enhance your caliber with Examples for developers?
3. Devel
Those who are already familiar with this module know the magic it can create. Devel is a hub of additional functions and help pages for both Drupal developers as well as administrators. It possesses blocks and toolbars for availing developer information and swift access.
If you have to test roles and permissions in Drupal, Devel enables you to simulate another user. It also renders helpful features that make debugging a piece of cake. Further, the list of Devel’s praises cannot end without mentioning that it can also generate test content for you.
Are you feeling flattered by this exceptional module and want to install it immediately? If the answer is yes, the following command is what you need:
4. Weight
At times, while executing a project, you may end up using modules that employ the same hooks. If we talk about Drupal’s default setting, it doesn’t allow you to choose the order of module execution. If this is something that bothers you, you’ll be glad to know that it is possible to define the order of module execution in three different ways. Let’s discuss them now.
- Strategy 1: Proactively set Drupal module weight during the installation process
To do so, simply go to the install file of your module, and add HOOK_install to set the module weight.
If you use Drupal 9, you are in for a huge advantage as the version offers a built-in feature for the same.
However, if you are still using Drupal 7, things are bound to be a little challenging for you as you will have to change this field in the database on your own.
- Strategy 2: Use the core.extension.yml file for changing the weight
You can employ the core.extension.yml file to change weight in case you utilize configurations in your project. Once you export the module, the weight gets depicted as a number after its name. The methods in the modules will be executed in the ascending order of their weights.
- Strategy 3: Through the Modules Weight module
Drupal provides the Modules Weight module to add an easy-to-use module weight configuration. Once you go to the configuration page ( /admin/config/system/modules-weight/configuration), the following table will appear on the screen.
In the weight column, you can set the weight of various modules in a hassle-free manner.
5. yml and setting.php files
The settings.php file and the services.yml file, both are available to access in the sites folder of your Drupal installation. By adding just a few lines, Drupal developers like you can experience enormous ease while rendering Drupal services. You can generate a settings.dev.php file and add all the changes to it. When you are in the development phase, you can add this file to the main settings.php file. Afterward, you can remove it while uploading the website to the server.
An even better alternative that you can implement is the utilization of an environmental variable such as ENV and setting it to “dev”. Afterward, you need to go to the settings.php file and examine if it contains a setting.$env.php file. If it is so, you go ahead and add it.
This enables you to include all your support changes for development in your settings.dev.php file.
What great things can you do there?
- In case your website gets tormented by an issue, you can enable an error display along with a message that lets the visitors know that your site is facing an issue.
- You can disable CSS and JS aggregation easily.
- You can disable the render cache.
- You can include the development services.yml file.
Given below is how the content of the latter file will look like:
After this, you are required to enable Twig debugging. These helpful comments present in the HTML structure make finding a template file or creating hooks easier for you. You also require to disable the cache. Besides, adding the cache.backend.null service, which helped you disable the render cache earlier is also needed.
6. Lando
Lando is an incredible tool built on Docker. It is capable of working with a wide range of computers. Lando aids the local development of your business website. With it, you get the power to run anything you desire. Isn’t it amazing? Further, Lando comes with a command line interface (CLI) by default which enables you to manage your installations without any hassle. When it comes to local Drupal installation, you require to follow only a few steps. Let’s discuss them now.
- Leverage the power of the composer to create a Drupal project.
- Go to the generated directory and execute the following command:
- Opt for Drupal 9 as your recipe
- Give a name to your webroot web
- Give a name to your project
Once the entire process gets executed, you’ll have a .lando.yml file with you containing varieties of information such as the name of your project, the services you use, the PHP version, and so on.
- Run the following command:
Afterward, proceed to finish the Drupal installation by moving to the address given in the .lando.yml file.
7. Drush
Drush is a highly effective tool for Drupal developers. It is a command-line interface created particularly for usage in Drupal development services. The phenomenal tool has been in existence since Drupal 4.7 and continues to be upgraded even today.
With it, you can import and export configurations, clean cache, update the database, and manage your site in a hassle-free manner. Further, it is fascinating to note that the latest versions of Drush also enable you to generate code. The following are some useful Drush commands to remember.
Cache cleaning:
Importing configuration:
Exporting configuration:
Generating a one-time login link:
Enabling module:
Disabling and removing module:
Updating the database:
Watchdog checking (dblog module):
Speaking about code generation, there are a plethora of options available. Hence, it is advisable to execute the following command and find the most intriguing one.
Let’s Wrap Up
Throughout the blog, we discussed some effective tools Drupal developers like you can utilize to simplify the process of rendering Drupal development services. Try them out once and they’ll undoubtedly captivate your heart by making things effortless for you and enhancing your productivity. So, are you ready to embrace these phenomenal tools?
In case you find yourself battling any difficulties, LN Webworks, a trusted Drupal development company can help you overcome them. Our entire team of Drupal developers is highly proficient at using all the tools mentioned above. So, contact us whenever you find yourself stuck at any point.
Author Information
Deepak
Deepak has a close to decade of experience working as a brand and digital designer. His experiences with visual design, web design, print design, and animation have established him as a useful force wherever he is able to serve.
