Migration to Drupal 8
Table of contents
As previously mentioned, Drupal is a free and open-source content management framework, widely recognized as the most popular CMS worldwide. Known for its scalability, Drupal can transform simple projects into complex ones within the life cycle of a single system.
Community and Security
With an extensive community of over one million users, Drupal continuously evolves through shared knowledge, constant updates, and communication about new techniques. A dedicated team works on identifying vulnerabilities, reinforcing the security and viability of Drupal.
Drupal 8 Overview
Drupal presents its latest version, Drupal 8, designed to be easier to use, simple, flexible, and integrable. The improvements in this version are particularly focused on developers, optimizing support tools and other features to benefit businesses.
New Features in Drupal 8
- Homogeneous Configuration: The site configuration is more consistent as it uses configuration files instead of code.
- Template System: The powerful and flexible Twig template system is employed for templates.
- PHP Flexibility: This version offers the flexibility to be utilized by many PHP developers beyond just those familiar with Drupal.
- Symfony Architecture: Built on Symfony, another popular PHP framework, it allows developers with existing Symfony databases to quickly and productively initiate a Drupal 8 project.
Advantages of Drupal 8
- Performance: Constant improvements lead to better performance compared to previous versions, with core functionalities that ensure fast page loading through efficient cache storage, thereby enhancing SEO.
- Accessibility: Drupal 8 features automated multi-language capabilities for site creation and translation, along with a redesigned administrative panel optimized for various devices.
- Security: Security remains a hallmark of Drupal, supported by the extensive community that monitors and develops new functionalities. This version offers a solid and complete core with security-focused modules.
Migration to Drupal 8
To migrate to Drupal 8 from a site running Drupal 6 or 7 efficiently, follow these steps summarized from Drupal.org:
- Create a New Drupal 8 Site: If you're new to Drupal 8, consider creating two sites: one for migration and another for comparison.
- Enable Migration Modules: On the "Extend" page, enable the three core "Migrate" modules located under the heading 'Core (Experimental).'
- Access the Update Page: Add "/update" to your site URL (e.g.,
http://my-d8-site.com/upgrade). If you encounter a 404 error, ensure the "Migrate Drupal UI" module is enabled. - Enter Database Credentials: Input your D6/D7 database credentials found in "settings.php" (located at
[codebase-root]/sites/default/settings.php). - Review Upgrade: Click "Review upgrade."
Migration to Drupal 8 is complete!
As Drupal pioneers in Panama, we are at your disposal to help migrate your company's website to Drupal 8 in an automated way. If automatic migration is not feasible, we offer personalized consultations to understand your company’s requirements, collaborating with our expert team to create quality projects.
At Rootstack, we maintain international business alliances for the design, development, and implementation of web and mobile systems, enhancing our understanding of your company’s needs.