Mastering Drupal 9 Modules: A Short Guide to Installing, Managing, and Maintaining

6 minutes

Drupal is a powerful Content Management System (CMS) with thousands of modules available to extend its functionality. Drupal 9 is the most popular version for now. It is used by millions of people around the world and its modules make it even more powerful.

What is Drupal 9 and its Modules?

Drupal 9 is a popular version of the open-source CMS that enables users to create and manage websites. But it is not the last because on December 14 2022 was released the newest version of Drupal 10 was. It is also built and designed to be highly customizable. The statistic of Drupal websites shows there are 28% of Drupal websites are built in Drupal 9. It has a wide range of features, including content management, user management, file and media management, and more. Drupal 9 is highly extensible and can be extended with modules, which are plugins that add additional features and functionality to your website. The modules available for Drupal are divided into two categories: core modules, which are included with the Drupal 9 installation, and contributed modules, which are developed and released by the Drupal community. Core modules are pre-installed and are essential to the functionality of Drupal. Contributed modules are not pre-installed and can be added to your site by downloading them from the Drupal website.

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What Are Core Modules?

A core module is a Drupal module that’s offered as part of the core codebase. This means it doesn’t exist as a separate download and needs to be installed manually via the module management system. This system enables you to search and install different kinds of core modules in order to add functionality to your site. Drupal core features many different types of core modules:

  • Content modules - Extend Drupal’s core content functionality by adding support for customizing portions of the site like pages, posts, media, and custom fields.

  • Media modules - Enable the management and display of multiple types of media like images, video, and audio via the media library.

  • User management and permissions - Enable the addition of users, their privileges, and roles that determine their level of access to different parts of your site.

  • Front end - Add visual effects like hover effects, parallax backgrounds, and UI elements for your site.

  • Back end - Add additional functionalities like automated content creation, scheduling, analytics, and workflow.

  • Other - Include modules that add “other stuff” to your sites like analytics and management tools. These are often offered as community modules.

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Installing Drupal 9 Modules

Installing Drupal 9 modules can greatly enhance the functionality of your website. Modules can add features such as forms, polls, galleries, and more. They can also help improve the security of your website and provide access to new themes and designs. Installing modules can also make it easier to optimize your website for search engines, and provide additional tools for managing and maintaining your website. Installing Drupal 9 modules is a simple process. To get started, you'll need to log into your Drupal site and go to the “Extend” page. From here, you can search for the module you want to install, read its description, and decide if it's right for your website. Once you've made your decision, you can simply click the “Install” button to install the module. You may be asked to enter your Drupal credentials in order to complete the installation.

Once you've installed the module, you can configure it to fit your needs. This may involve adding additional fields or settings or editing the code for the module. You can also use the “Uninstall” button to remove the module from your website.

 

Managing and Maintaining Drupal Modules

Once you've installed a Drupal 9 module, you'll need to keep it up to date. To do this, you'll need to go to the “Extend” page and check for any available updates. If an update is available, you can click the “Update” button to install it. You can also use the “Uninstall” button to remove any modules you no longer need.

It's also important to keep track of the modules you have installed. To do this, you can use the “Modules” page to view a list of all the modules installed on your website. This page will also show you which modules are enabled and which are disabled. Keeping an up-to-date list of your modules can help you troubleshoot any issues you may be having with your website.

 

What are the Most Popular Drupal 9 Modules?

Drupal 9 has a wide range of popular modules that can enhance the functionality of your website. Some of the most popular modules include Views, which allows you to create custom lists and displays from your content; Panels, which enables you to create custom layouts for your pages; and Rules, which allows you to create custom rules and actions for your website.

Other popular modules include the Media module, which enables you to manage images, videos, and audio files; the Security Review module, which helps you keep your website secure; and the Search API module, which enables you to create custom search pages.

 

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What is the Search API Drupal Module?

The Search API module is a powerful module that allows you to create custom search pages on your website. It enables you to index and search your content, and display the results in a variety of formats. The module also allows you to customize the search experience by allowing you to add additional filters, sort options, and other features.

How to Upgrade From An Older Version of Drupal to the Latest Version

If you're using an older version of Drupal, upgrading to the latest version of Drupal 9 can be a daunting task. Fortunately, the process isn't too complicated. To upgrade, you'll need to first take a backup of your website and then download the latest version of Drupal 9. After that, you'll need to install the new version of Drupal and upgrade your modules and themes. Finally, you'll need to run the database upgrade script provided by Drupal.

What is the Current Version of Drupal?

The current version of Drupal is 10. This version includes a range of new features, such as a new Layout Builder, new media types, improved security, and more. But Drupal 10 was released in December 2022, so it still has little usage statistics. If you're using an older version of Drupal, upgrading to the latest version is always recommended to ensure you have access to the latest features and security updates.

Troubleshooting Tips for Drupal Modules

If you're having issues with your Drupal modules, there are a few troubleshooting tips you can try. First, make sure your modules are up to date. If they aren't, you can use the “Extend” page to check for any available updates. You can also check the module's documentation for any known issues or solutions.

If you're still having issues, you can try disabling the module and then re-enabling it. You can also try disabling other modules or themes to see if they are causing the issue. If all else fails, you can reach out to the module's developer or the Drupal community for help.

 

Conclusion

Drupal modules can be a great way to add additional features and functionality to your website. Installing and managing them can be a challenging task, and if you ever find yourself in need of professional help, reach out to High Quality Web Solutions experts to solve your business tasks. With our expertise and experience, we can help you get the most out thanks to connecting the right Drupal 9 or 10 modules.

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Anton Holovin
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