Welcome to the Day 6 of your Joomla Website Setup series. Today I am introducing you to some important Joomla terms. These terms are often used in Joomla world. The main aim of this article is to give you enough information about this terminology. That will help you to understand and implement the things of your own. All of the terms explained here are in Joomla website context only.
The terms often used in Joomla world are listed below:
- Position
- Frontend
- Backend
- Content
- Extension
- Module
- Plugin
- Component
- Template
- Parameter
- Menu
Position
A web page is divided into several divisions. Normally each division is referred to as position in Joomla Terminology. The most common positions in Joomla website are: top, bottom, syndicate, left, right, user1, user2, user3, user4 etc.
Frontend
The frontend is referred to as the website pages which users visit and see. No logins are necessary to see the web frontend.
Backend
The backend is referred to as the administration area of the website. For example http://yourwebsite.com/administration takes you to the backend of your website.
Content
The articles added in Joomla based website are referred to as website Content. And Joomla is referred to as Content Management System. The content is also referred to as website data.
Extension
The extra softwares used to extend the core functionality of Joomla are called Extensions. Extensions are nothing but software programs written in PHP. The Modules, Components, Plugins, Templates and Languages are all different types of extensions.
Module
Modules are Joomla extensions which are used to display pieces of website content at different positions. Modules can be both of type fronted and backend.
Plugin
Plugins are used to modify system functionality without touching the original software code. These are event driven. For example if you want to display something before and after the content served by your website, you will use plugins. The type of plugins used will depend upon specific requirements.
Component
Components are also used to display the pieces of website content. The output of the content created by components is displayed in main content area. Several examples of components are available e.g content, section navigator, banner, contact etc. Components are also of two types frontend and backend.
Template
Templates are used to provide look and feel to the Joomla website. The data is provided by Joomla database. The data display format is provided by Joomla modules, components and plugins. The look and feel to that data is provided by templates. There are thousands of free Joomla templates available for download on different sites. The positions are parts of templates in which modules are displayed.
Parameter
Parameters are the input values for Joomla extensions which affect the output of these extensions. There can be any number of parameters defined for Joomla Extensions.
Menu
Menus are the means provided to navigate the Joomla website. These are also of frontend and backend types. A menu can have several menu items. Clicking on a menu item takes user directly to a particular area or page of website. Menus can have sub-menus as well.
That’s all for today. In day 7, I am gonna discuss about Section Manager in Joomla website. Remember to come back and grab your tutorial session.