Introduction to content management systems BTM 395 Internet

Introduction to content management systems BTM 395: Internet Programming

Traditional web programming model • Physical HTML pages for structure and content • CSS formatting • Java. Script for client-side dynamics • Server-side scripting for primary application logic

Disadvantages of the traditional model • A lot of code required to maintain many similarly-structured pages • Very complex to build and maintain • Huge technical separation between website developers and content providers

Resolutions for the traditional model • Templating of pages: Separation of page structure from its content • Still inaccessible to non-techies • Eventual evolution led to content management systems

Content management systems • Web pages are purely virtual • No physically stored web page; web page is created only when requested by a browser • Physical pages store – Structural template of pages – Style sheets (CSS is still physical) – Programming logic (Java. Script, server side) • Actual page content is stored in database and served dynamically

Key features of content management systems • Page content stored in database, served dynamically • User control system • Page classification system (categories) • Themes or templates to manage design • Extensions for specialized functionality • Open source CMSs permit direct editing of source code for more dramatic customizations

Leading content management systems • Word. Press (55% market share) • Joomla (10% market share) • Drupal (6 -7% market share) Market share figures from http: //w 3 techs. com/technologies/history_overview/content_management

Word. Press • Originally started as blogging platform with limited CMS functionality • Grew in popularity because of ease of use • Gradually increased in functionality to support full CMS features • Market share has led to enormous market of plugins for tailorable experience

Joomla • CMS from the beginning; focus was ease of use with medium functionality • Has become increasingly functional and easier to use, but not as easy as Word. Press • Market share reduced due to Word. Press's growth

Drupal • Originally one of the most popular CMSs, famous for flexibility for programmers • Reputed to be most stable, most secure, and most customizable (for expert programmers) • Today, used either by large companies who need extreme customizability (e. g. military) or by hardcore IT people • Market share reduced due to Word. Press's growth