Today we are talking about Drupal’s API Client, What it does, and why you might need it with guest Brian Perry. We’ll also cover Iconify Icons as our module of the week.

For show notes visit: www.talkingDrupal.com/454

• Brian what is new with you!
• Elevator pitch for Drupal API Client
• What was Pitchburg like
• Is this a normalizer for JSON API
• Why is this JS framework agnostic
• What is typescript and how does Drupal API Client use it
• Looking at the quick start guide the second step is to create an instance, where do you do that
• Who is this module for
• Will Drupal API Client be added to core
• What is on the roadmap
• How does this relate to Chapter Three and Next.js
• What is the spin up time
• How will Starshot impact this

• API Client
• API Client Quick Start
• NPM Packages
• Ideas Queue Issue - Promote API client packages to Drupal NPM namespace
• Drupal at your Fingertips
• Open collective
• JSON API Schema

Brian Perry - brianperry.dev brianperry

Nic Laflin - nLighteneddevelopment.com nicxvan John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi Randy Fay - rfay

Martin Anderson-Clutz - mandclu.com mandclu

• Brief description:
  • Have you ever wanted to empower your content creators to place icons from a massive, open source library into your Drupal site? There’s a module for that.
• Module name/project name:
  • Iconify Icons
• Brief history
  • How old: created on May 22 of this year, so less than two weeks ago, by David Galeano (gxleano) of Factorial
  • Versions available: 1.0.0 which supports Drupal 9.3 or newer, right up to Drupal 11
• Maintainership
  • Actively maintained
  • Security coverage
  • Test coverage
  • Documentation
  • Number of open issues: 2 open issues, neither of which are bugs
• Usage stats:
  • 1 site
• Module features and usage
  • Out of the box the module provides both a CKEditor button for placing icons, and a new field type. It even provides a new form element that can be used in custom forms, a render element you can use to programmatically put an icon into something like a custom block, and a Twig extension that can be used to place icons in templates.
  • According to the project page, the Iconify icon library includes more than 200,000 icons, though in my limited experimentation it seems like there are some duplicates between icon sets. Speaking of which, Iconify provides over 150 different icon sets, and in this module’s configuration you can specify which ones you want to be available on your site.
  • Placing an icon is as simple as using an autocomplete to search the names of the icons available, and a preview is shown for each of the matches found.
  • The field widget and the CKEditor button both give content creators options for what size and color to use for the icons. For myself I’d prefer to lock some of those options down (for example, make that part of the field’s display configuration instead), but I’m sure that could be added as part of a different widget.
  • I can think of a few Drupal sites I’ve built where this would have been really handy, so I’m interested to play around with this module some more, and see how it evolves.

Drupal's popularity is soaring because it's easy to use and flexible enough to fit any project. Businesses love it for its ability to grow with them, whether they're just starting out or already established. With each update, Drupal improves, offering more features and making it easier for everyone to build amazing websites.

One big thing to watch out for is the Starshot Initiative. It's all about making Drupal easier to use by adding some cool features from the start. Think of it as getting a new phone with all the apps you need installed. Starshot is like that for Drupal, making it simpler for everyone to get started and build something great.

The best part about Drupal is its community. People worldwide come together to share ideas, help each other, and improve Drupal. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, there's always something new to learn and someone to help you.

As Drupal grows, so does its potential. More and more businesses are choosing Drupal because it's reliable, adaptable, and just plain works. With initiatives like Starshot on the horizon, Drupal's future looks brighter.

With that said, let's now explore what updates and news we have covered last week:

In the interview with Alka Elizabeth, sub-editor at The Drop Times, Esmeralda Braad-Tijhoff, discusses her background, rise in the Drupal community, and ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and collaboration within the tech industry. She shares insights into her roles with the Stichting Drupal Nederland and the Network of European Drupal Associations (NEDA), reflecting on her achievements and vision for the future of open-source solutions in public sector projects.

I had the opportunity to connect with some of the speakers of the upcoming DrupalJam to gain their insights on their sessions. Frederik Wouters sheds light on integrating RAG and OpenAI technologies within organizational infrastructures, emphasizing the significance of data quality and privacy considerations. Mikko Hämäläinen delves into the complexities of Digital Experience Platforms (DXP), elucidating their role in addressing customer expectations and internal silos in customer management. Finally, Mathias Bolt Lesniak advocates for the importance of open-source software in governmental policies, urging society to rediscover its benefits and advocate for its adoption.

Additionally, PHPCamp took place on 8th June 2024. I spoke with the organizers to provide insights into what attendees could expect. Amit Kumar Singh, a key organizer, shared his thoughts on why PHPCamp holds significance in the tech community.

Recently, Jay Callicott, an experienced Drupal Architect, introduced a new tool: DrupalX. DrupalX aims to simplify the process of building enterprise-level websites using Drupal. The Drop Times approached him for a comment, where he highlighted DrupalX's focus on improving the Drupal development experience, particularly for enterprise projects. Jay anticipates DrupalX will be beneficial in addressing common challenges developers face. Click here to read more about DrupalX.

The Drupal Starshot Initiative is picking up speed, and if you're interested in getting involved, now's the perfect time! The complete session calendar is now accessible, featuring a range of interactive Zoom calls. These sessions are tailored to offer updates and guidance on how you can contribute to this thrilling initiative.

After its unveiling at DrupalCon Portland 2024, the initial Drupal Starshot session, spearheaded by Dries Buytaert on May 31, 2024, attracted over 200 participants. The session discussed key topics such as community involvement, funding strategies, and governance plans. These discussions underscored the project's mission to streamline Drupal site construction through improved features and accessibility.

The Drupal Starshot project has introduced its new leadership team headed by Dries Buytaert. This team comprises key figures such as Technical Lead Tim Plunkett, User Experience Lead Cristina Chumillas, Product Owner Pamela Barone, and Contribution Coordinator Gábor Hojtsy. Together, they are committed to elevating the Drupal platform by prioritizing product vision, technical excellence, and user experience.

The Drupal Association has invited leaders of Local Associations from Asia to the inaugural Local Association Leaders meet-up on June 11, 2024. This initiative aims to strengthen the success of Drupal Local Associations by directly involving community leaders committed to advancing the Drupal project within their respective regions.

To celebrate Pride Month 2024, the Drupal Association is highlighting international LGBTQ+ organizations and donating proceeds from Pride-themed apparel sales. Community members can vote for the recipient organization, and they're encouraged to share their Pride stories for potential social media features.

The Drop Times has officially become a media partner for Drupaljam 2024, set to take place on June 12, 2024, at Fabrique Utrecht. We'll offer extensive coverage of all the latest updates throughout the event. But that's not all! The Drop Times has also been named the official Media Partner for DrupalCamp Spain 2024. This event is a cornerstone gathering for the Drupal community and is scheduled to be held from October 24 to 26 at the Hotel DeLoix Aqua Center. Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage of both Drupaljam 2024 and DrupalCamp Spain 2024!

Twin Cities Drupal Camp has opened the Call for Submissions for its upcoming event on September 12-13, 2024. With rolling session acceptance, early submissions have a higher chance of selection. The event will feature general sessions lasting 45 minutes, allowing for interactive audience Q&A sessions.

Registration for DrupalCamp Asheville 2024 is now open. The camp, which will take place from July 12 to 14, 2024, offers an exciting lineup of events. The camp includes three days of training, an unconference, various sessions, and community activities, all set against the scenic backdrop of Asheville. 

In other news, MidCamp will return with new dates in 2025, from May 20 to 22, at the DePaul University Student Center in Chicago. This change aligns with an earlier DrupalCon, providing the community a great opportunity to gather in the spring. Key events leading up to MidCamp include opening the call for speakers in the fall of 2024, with final selections and the schedule announcement expected in late January or early February 2025.

It summarises the week's major updates, though we couldn't include every story in this selection. Until next week... 

To get timely updates, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Also, join us on Drupal Slack at #thedroptimes.

Thank you,
Sincerely
Kazima Abbas
Sub-editor, The Drop Times

It typically occurs when you click on a website and become disinterested in utilizing it because there are no language preferences. In addition, you will be more interested in browsing the website if you can easily navigate its user interface and select your preferred language, regardless of where you live. 

According to some reports: Multilingual websites can reach 75% more internet users and improve user experience, as 60% of global consumers prefer browsing in their native language. Businesses with such websites see a 70% average increase in conversion rates. That’s why it is preferred that you must create a multilingual website to help with website traffic and your business strategy.

How?

Ever had to scratch your head, ferreting out the secret weapon behind those mammoth success stories of the digital world? Well, ponder no more, you've just stumbled upon the world of Drupal 10!

As the latest prodigy of the Drupal family, Drupal 10 isn't just a facelift but a tool that champions uncharted territories. With an arsenal of new features, it's here to empower developers - both seasoned and novice ones.

Let's picture this through an everyday scenario. You're a site developer catering to a global audience. Earlier, you'd have to have multiple versions of the site to cater to various languages. Drupal 10 simplifies this with its built-in multilingual feature. You can now translate and localise your website without bothersome plugins.

Consider another common tussle developers face - keeping up with the digital world's insatiable appetite for interactive and responsive designs. With Drupal 10's layout builder, you can create and customize layouts per content type, per node, or even per user role.

Even SEO, the lifeline of online visibility, gets a boost with Drupal's 10 in-built meta tag and path auto modules. Now you can ensure your site stays in the limelight with less effort and more smart work.

Yet the standout trait of Drupal 10, one that deserves a tip of the hat, is the ease of upgrade. Remember the hair-pulling days of upgrading from Drupal 7 to 8? Those days are in the rear view mirror as Drupal 10 ensures a seamless upgrade, promising the preservation of custom themes and modules.

In conclusion, Drupal 10 is not just a new version, but a pivotal shift in web development that caters to today's fast-paced, ever-evolving digital landscape. It's about time we embrace it!

Drupal's migration system allows the use of a number of different plugins to perform source, processing, and destination functions. 

Process plugins are responsible for copying and sometimes manipulating data into the destination. There are a number of different process plugins that allow you to get data in different ways and and apply it to your destination fields.

Both the core Migrate module and the excellent Migrate Plus module contain a number of different process plugins that you can use to process your data in different ways.

Out of the box, the default process plugin is the get plugin, which can be used like this in your migration scripts.

This is often shortened to the following, which has exactly the same functionality.

Most of the time you will want to avoid creating custom plugins, but sometimes your migration requirements will necessitate their use. You might find that your source data is very messy and needs to be cleaned up before importing it into the site. Process plugins are a really good way of doing this, but it is essential that you write tests to cover every situation that you might encounter. 

In this article we will look at two custom migrate process plugins that are built in different ways and how to test them. This will dive into some concepts around Drupal plugin management, dependency injection, as well as unit testing and data providers with PHPUnit.

First, let's look at the migration script that we will be using in this article. All of the source code for this migration example is available on GitHub.

Read more

WP's default Gutenberg editor is an intuitive, yet highly flexible page editor that exists as an independent open-source project, and has meanwhile matured and become popular, with integration into Drupal as well.