Learning path: developer #

This path is for learners who will build on Exponential with PHP: extensions, modules, templates, content classes and integrations. You should know basic PHP and be able to use a terminal. Git is taught along the way. Finish the editor path first; it shows you what the code you write is for.

Contents #

1. The steps
2. Going further
3. Where the path leads next

The steps #

Step 1: A development installation from Git clones (2 hours) #

• Read: Develop with Git steps 1 and 2, Setting up a development installation.
• Practice: Installing from Git clones for study.
• Check: what does git switch -c my-site give you, and why does "HEAD detached" in an extension not mean anything is broken?

Step 2: Reading the code you have (1 hour) #

• Read: Reading the code you have, What an extension is.
• Practice: use git log --oneline -10 -- <file> and git blame <file> on one kernel file (Develop with Git).

Step 3: The content model (2 hours) #

• Read: Understanding the content model, The content model and editing content sections 1 to 3.
• Practice: project 1.
• Check: what is the difference between a content object and a node?

Step 4: The template language (4 hours) #

• Read: Learning the template language, Templates and design sections 1 to 6.
• Practice: project 3.
• Check: why does {$node.name|wash} use wash?

Step 5: Settings, siteaccesses and the console (2 hours) #

• Read: Understanding siteaccesses and settings, Settings scopes and their order, The exp:ini command.
• Practice: read one setting with exp:ini where and explain which file wins.

Step 6: Extensions and modules (4 hours) #

• Read: Extensions section 6.1, RAD tools.
• Practice: project 8.
• Check: a module view without a 'functions' entry has what kind of access control? (None: anyone who can reach the site can open it, as the extensions guide warns.)

Step 7: The REST API (2 hours) #

• Read: REST API v1 and v2, Personal API keys sections 1 to 3.
• Practice: project 7.
• Check: which versions answer reads, and which answer writes?

Step 8: Search and roles from the developer's side (2 hours) #

• Read: Roles, policies and unactivated users, the trainers' Search course, module 1.
• Practice: project 6.

Step 9: Quality and contributing (2 hours) #

• Read: Quality checks, Coding standards, Contributing code, Contributing as a student.
• Practice: Your first contribution, step by step.
• Check: which five words may a commit subject start with? (Added:, Updated:, Fixed:, Removed:, Renamed:, as CONTRIBUTING.md lists them.)

Going further #

Where the path leads next #

• Study projects: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, capstone.
• With a trainer: Developers, 13 modules.
• Contribute: Contributing as a student.

Related pages #

• Using Git as a student
• Git quick reference for learners
• Learning path: designer
• Free documentation: this page is free to copy, translate and improve under the GNU FDL 1.3.