With the release of Drupal 11.1, there’s a cool new feature for developers: Hooks can now be implemented as class methods using PHP attributes instead of functions. This change is a major step forward in modernizing Drupal’s codebase. While procedural function-based hooks are still supported (and will be for some time), developers writing new code should strongly consider using the object-oriented (OOP) approach introduced in Drupal 11.1.

One of our core commitments at Drupalize.Me is ensuring that our tutorials remain accurate and relevant as Drupal evolves. So we’re working on updating all of our tutorials to take into account the new OOP approach to adding hooks in a module. We’re also aware that procedural hooks have been around for 24 years, and aren’t going to disappear overnight. You’ll see them in example code and existing documentation for a long time to come. So for now we’ll be including both approaches in our content whenever doing so makes sense.

You should plan on learning both approaches, and then using the one that makes the most sense given your specific case.

Continue reading to learn a bit about the evolution of hooks in Drupal core and how to implement hooks as classes in Drupal 11 in this latest Drupalize.Me blog post by Joe Shindelar.

After a 105-day hiatus — because I became a dad ☺️ — time to catch up! It’s the last day of January and I’m writing about week 22, while in week 34! I intend to catch up by the end of February and that of course happens to be week 42. 😜 🤓

Most of you will probably wonder why I’d even bother catching up. Well, many of you told me you’ve found these posts invaluable to have a sense of where Experience Builder (XB) is going, of the progress we’re making, and to know when we’re working on things where your expertise might be especially valuable. Plus, it’s helpful for me to have a complete overview as the XB tech lead of what everything is that happened (impossible to be fully caught up during paternity leave), and ensure loose ends are tied up. 1

The weeks further in the past I’ll make more summary-like with less detail. As I get closer to catching up to the present, I’ll bring back more detail, as I’ve done in the past. Here we go! 🚀

We all love a good Bálint “balintbrews” Kléri-made GIF, don’t we? 😁 See how he evolved the “add” menu in #3477372 based on the updated design:

But by far most importantly, Harumi “hooromoo” Jang, Bálint and Jesse Baker landed a massive usability improvement for the so-called “Layers” dragging components around: dragging into empty slots was impossible before, some affordances were missing, and while it worked, it was a bit jumpy. Not anymore:

Missed a prior week? See all posts tagged Experience Builder.

Goal: make it possible to follow high-level progress by reading ~5 minutes/week. I hope this empowers more people to contribute when their unique skills can best be put to use!

For more detail, join the #experience-builder Slack channel. Check out the pinned items at the top!

Not at all visual but nonetheless important:

• Kristen Pol contributed a long-overdue README.md 😅
• Omkar “omkar-pd” Deshpande, Pooja Sharma, Travis Carden and I added a route that enables a future client-side improvement: logging client-side errors to the server.
• Finally, as a nice appetizer for things to come: Dave “longwave” Long and I pivoted the way XB stores component trees from being tightly coupled to Single Directory Components (SDCs) to allowing multiple component types … 🤓

Week 22 was October 7–October 13, 2024.

• 1

  I was working at ~30% capacity for most of my paternity leave to not be fully out of the loop, and to make my paternity leave last longer. (Thanks, Acquia! 🙏😊) The intent was for me to keep up this blog post series during that time. But that didn’t work out: reviews required all of that time!

Upgrading Drupal to a newer version ensures your website remains modern, secure, and efficient. For Drupal 8 users, upgrading to a higher major version, such as Drupal 9 or 10, is significantly easier than for older versions, thanks to the improved upgrade process. However, an update isn’t just clicking a button – it requires proper preparation to avoid technical issues and ensure uninterrupted website operations. In this article, we explain the differences between an upgrade and a migration and highlight key points to consider when upgrading Drupal 8 to newer versions.

Automating workflows and decision-making procedures is important for efficiency in the fast-paced commercial world of today. 

Event-Condition-Action (ECA) modules are designed to help businesses achieve this by enhancing operations, reducing errors, and improving productivity. At LN Webworks, a Drupal Development Company, our team experts have explored how ECA modules can automate business logic, improve decision-making, and seamlessly integrate with AI and BPMN.io for a more powerful and efficient workflow.

What are ECA Modules? 

ECA modules are tools that automate business logic by defining a set of rules based on three core elements:

As we look ahead to what will come in 2025, it's a perfect time to reflect on the remarkable journey our Drupal community has undertaken over the past year. Traditionally, we've gathered at two major annual events—DrupalCon North America and DrupalCon Europe. However, the past year was a year of expansion and innovation, marked by three dynamic DrupalCons in Portland, Barcelona, and Singapore, each contributing uniquely to our project's evolution.

Embracing Innovation in Portland

In May 2024, DrupalCon Portland brought together a diverse group of developers, designers, and strategists. The conference featured a comprehensive schedule, including sessions on community health, development and coding, and user experience. A highlight was the Driesnote, where Dries Buytaert, our founder, provided insights into the future of Drupal. The event also emphasized contribution, with dedicated spaces for general contribution and Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions, fostering collaboration and community engagement.

Celebrating Community in Barcelona

September 2024 saw us gather in Barcelona for an event that exemplified Drupal's global reach and collaborative spirit. The conference featured over 100 sessions and four inspiring keynotes, covering a wide array of topics from technical deep dives to business strategies. The Women in Drupal Award was a highlight, recognizing significant contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community.

The Driesnote provided deep insights into the future of Drupal, including updates on the Drupal Starshot Initiative, which aims to make Drupal more accessible and user-friendly, particularly for non-developers.

Expanding Horizons in Singapore

December 2024 marked Drupal's return to Asia with DrupalCon Singapore, the first in the region in six years. The event was a vibrant mix of learning, networking, and innovation, featuring the inaugural DrupalCon Splash Awards in Asia, which recognized the best Drupal sites in the region. Exclusive training opportunities were offered, catering to new users as well as backend and frontend developers.

The conference schedule was packed with sessions that highlighted Drupal's versatility and its application across various industries. The Driesnote provided attendees with updates on the progress of the Starshot Initiative and the upcoming release of Drupal 11, targeted for August 2024, with a fallback of December 2024.

Looking Ahead to Atlanta

With such a successful year behind us, we're now setting our sights on DrupalCon Atlanta 2025. Scheduled for 24-27 March, 2025, this event promises to build upon the momentum of 2024, offering even more opportunities for learning, collaboration, and innovation. As we prepare for this upcoming conference, it's worth reflecting on the insights gained from the past year's events and how they can inform our contributions moving forward.

Why Engaging with the Community Matters?

Attending DrupalCons offers more than just access to sessions and keynotes; it's about becoming part of a global community dedicated to open-source excellence. The networking opportunities, collaborative sessions, and the chance to contribute to Drupal's future are invaluable experiences that can significantly enhance your professional journey.

For those who couldn't attend the 2024 conferences, the session recordings provide a treasure trove of information and insights. Engaging with these materials can help you stay abreast of the latest developments and prepare you for active participation in future events.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting back on the past year, it's evident that our Drupal community made significant strides in innovation, inclusivity, and global collaboration. The introduction of the Starshot Initiative and the forthcoming Drupal 11 signal a new era for Drupal, one that emphasizes accessibility and user-friendliness.

As we look forward to DrupalCon Atlanta 2025, let's carry forward the lessons learned and the connections made, continuing to build a robust and inclusive community. Whether you're a seasoned developer or new to Drupal, there's a place for you in this journey.

Here's to another year of growth, collaboration, and shared success in the Drupal ecosystem.

Ask Freelock: Sortable tables?

Kevin asks,

Is there a Drupal Add On or Widget that would allow users to sort tables as they're displayed on the website?

Hi, Kevin,

Several options here:

DrupalCon Singapore 2024 was an extraordinary gathering of developers, marketers, and business leaders, uniting passionate minds to celebrate innovation and collaboration within the Drupal ecosystem across Asia. This milestone event marked a return of DrupalCon to Asia, made possible by the vision and hard work of the Drupal Asia Steering Committee—a dynamic group of volunteers from around the globe. Their efforts ignited a sense of excitement and camaraderie, engaging both new and seasoned community members.

A Dream Realized: The Steering Committee’s Role

The Drupal Asia Steering Committee, formed in 2023 under the Linux Australia Council, played a pivotal role in organizing this spectacular event. As a community-driven initiative, the committee’s dedication to fostering connections and growth within the Drupal ecosystem was evident in every aspect of the conference. Their collaborative efforts with the Drupal Association laid the groundwork for an unforgettable experience.

To learn more about the Asia Steering Committee or to get involved in future DrupalCons in Asia, visit drupalasia.org.

Event Highlights at a Glance

Here’s a snapshot of the key moments, milestones, and takeaways from DrupalCon Singapore 2024. For a more detailed view, please view the recap.

Key Metrics:

• Total Registrations: 253 participants from diverse professional backgrounds, with an impressive 54% attending their first-ever DrupalCon!
• Complimentary Tickets: 21% of attendees received complimentary passes, showcasing the community’s inclusivity.

Registration Type

Number of Registrations

Paid

200

Complimentary

53

Top countries by attendance:

• India: 61 attendees
• Singapore: 41 attendees
• Australia: 36 attendees
• Japan: 27 attendees

Program and Sessions:

• Sessions Delivered: 41 impactful talks, including inspiring keynotes from industry leaders.
• Topics: From Drupal CMS advancements to real-world case studies on digital transformation.
• Contribution: Sold out with 110 registrations and high demand for additional spots.

The International Splash Awards made an exciting return to Asia, celebrating exceptional websites and digital experiences built with Drupal. Congratulations to the winners! 

View the full list of winners.

Sponsorship and Exhibition

Thank You, Sponsors! DrupalCon Singapore 2024 was powered by an incredible array of sponsors who provided invaluable support for everything from coffee breaks, awards ceremonies, and everything in between! Their contributions made this event possible, and we are deeply grateful.

• Expo Hall Highlights: The vibrant Expo Hall featured 12 sponsor booths alongside dedicated spaces for the Drupal Association and the Community Booth. These provided unique networking opportunities and showcased ways for attendees to stay engaged with the Drupal community.

Attendee Feedback: A Resounding Success

Post-event surveys painted a bright picture:

• Overall Satisfaction: 81% of respondents rated their DrupalCon experience as Excellent or Good.
• Valuable Insights: Attendees shared constructive feedback on improving future events, offered topic suggestions, and even proposed ideas for upcoming DrupalCon locations.

Looking Ahead

DrupalCons remain a cornerstone event for the global Drupal community, fostering learning, networking, and innovation. The success of DrupalCon Singapore 2024 underscores the community’s passion and commitment to advancing web development and supporting emerging talent.

Stay tuned for details on future DrupalCons by visiting the Drupal Association Events page.

This year’s DrupalCon Asia was more than just a conference—it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community. I can’t wait to see where the journey takes us next!