Drupal is a free and open-source content management system. It powers millions of websites and applications. Drupal is known for its flexibility, scalability, and security, making it a popular choice for businesses, organizations, and governments around the world. In June 2020, Drupal 9 was released. It introduced several improvements and new features. In this article, we’ll explore what Drupal 9 is, why it matters, and how to use it.
What is Drupal 9?
Drupal 9 is the latest version of the Drupal content management system (CMS). It builds upon the foundation of Drupal 8, which was released in 2015, and includes several significant improvements and new features. The main focus of Drupal 9 is to make it easier to use and maintain while improving its performance, security, and accessibility.
One of the significant changes in Drupal 9 is the removal of deprecated code, which means that it no longer supports the code that was used in previous versions of Drupal. This makes it easier for developers to maintain their websites and applications and ensures that Drupal remains up-to-date with the latest web technologies.
Another improvement in Drupal 9 is its compatibility with modern PHP versions, including PHP 8. This means that websites and applications built with Drupal 9 can take advantage of the latest PHP features and improvements, making them faster and more efficient.
Why does Drupal 9 matter?
Drupal 9 matters because it offers several benefits over previous versions of Drupal. For example, it provides better performance, security, and accessibility, making it easier for developers to build and maintain websites and applications. It also includes several new features, such as improved media management, layout building, and multilingual support, which make it easier to create engaging and dynamic content.
Another reason why Drupal 9 matters is that it’s built on an open-source community-driven model. This means that anyone can contribute to its development and improvement, making it a robust and reliable platform that’s constantly evolving. It also means that Drupal is accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical expertise or budget, making it a popular choice for organizations of all sizes.
How to use Drupal 9
If you’re new to Drupal or looking to upgrade to Drupal 9, here are some steps to get started:
- Install Drupal 9: You can download Drupal 9 from the official website and follow the installation instructions. You’ll need a web server and a database to run Drupal.
- Choose a theme: Drupal 9 comes with several pre-built themes that you can use to customize the look and feel of your website. You can also create your own theme or download one from the Drupal community.
- Install modules: Drupal 9 comes with several core modules that provide essential functionality, such as user management and content creation. You can also install additional modules from the Drupal community to add more features and customization options.
- Create content: Once you’ve installed Drupal 9 and customized your website, you can start creating content, such as pages, articles, and media. Drupal 9 includes several tools to help you manage your content, such as the WYSIWYG editor and media library.
- Manage your website: Drupal 9 provides several tools to help you manage your website, such as the admin dashboard and user roles. You can also use Drupal’s built-in caching and optimization features to improve your website’s performance.
Conclusion
Drupal 9 is a powerful and flexible content management system that offers several benefits over previous versions of Drupal. Its improved performance, security, and accessibility make it a popular choice for businesses, organizations, and governments around the world. If you’re new to Drupal, or looking to upgrade to Drupal 9, follow the steps above to get started.
