MODx Web Development - Download

Building dynamic websites with the PHP application framework and CMS Simple, step-by-step instructions detailing how to install, configure, and customize MODx Covers detailed theory from the basics, to practical implementation Learn the most common web requirements and solutions, and build a site in the process

In Detail

MODx is a content management system and PHP web application framework rolled into one. With the ease of a CMS and the extensibility of a framework, MODx allows you to develop professional-looking, intricate websites with its easy-to-use interface and flexible architecture. MODx provides reusable code called snippets most of which are so generic that, without any modification, they can serve multiple functionalities. The generic nature of the snippets makes it possible to get the perfect customization that is so hard in other content management systems.

This book will get web developers up-and-running with MODx. With step-by-step examples and illustrative screenshots, you will be guided through installation, configuration, and customization. By the end of the book, you will have created a powerful, dynamic website by using the individual elements of MODx, without the need for programming know-how.

Starting with a walk-through of installing MODx, you will quickly learn how to develop your site without having to use any programming language. Logical, step-by-step instructions will show you how to create your own unique site by adding and editing documents using the inbuilt TinyMCE editor. Change the look and feel of your site by creating your own templates using HTML, CSS, and widgets. By following the example of a blog site, you will learn how to extend your templates to allow rich user interactions through comments, posts, and forms. The book teaches a few core snippets such as Ditto and Wayfinder in detail. These powerful and flexible snippets will enable you to add multiple functionalities to your site. The book will also introduce you to many more snippets which will help you build some of the commonly required web functionalities such as forums and image galleries. Manage your users with authentication and authorization and make your site user-friendly with user groups, forums, and the use of PHx notations to embed logic in templates.

Through following this easy-to-use, step-by-step guide, by the end of the book you will have a fully functional, feature-rich MODx site with professional-looking, dynamic web pages that are totally customizable.

What you will learn from this book?

Build a complete, feature-rich website using MODx Manage content easily using documents and containers Manage users and access with authentication and authorizationCreate templates to customize the look of your siteLearn how to enhance your website quickly with dynamic content such as recent posts and dynamic menus using core snippetsLearn the powerful templating language PHx to extend logic to templatesUse custom snippets to add more functionality such as forums and image galleriesLearn to create your own snippet for unique functionalitiesDeploy a search-engine-optimized and secure site

Approach

This book is an example-driven tutorial, which will take you from the installation of MODx through to configuration, customization, and deployment. Step-by-step instructions will enable you to build a fully-functional, feature-rich website quickly and without any programming language.

Who this book is written for?

This book is ideal for those who want to learn to use MODx. Both beginner and experienced web developers will benefit from this comprehensive guide to MODx. No knowledge of PHP programming or any templating language is needed, but the more advanced chapters towards the end of the book will allow more confident developers to extend their applications even further by creating their own snippets.

User review
Alright, but unnecessary
Like someone else said, you can learn MODx by finding resources on the internet. I started reading this book to get introduced to the system, and it was OK for that, but I found I didn't really use it or need it when I actually started making my MODx site. It's a good overview/introduction that may help you understand what MODx is and how it functions, but not totally needed if you just want to jump right in and make a site with MODx. Also, since the release of MODx 1.0/1.0.1, the terminology used in this book is no longer correct, so it may actually confuse you (Resources are now Elements, Documents are now Resources, etc.) And I found some of the writing to be awkward.

User review
Nice introduction, but there is room for improvement
I was new to MODx when I bought this book - and one of my reasons for choosing MODx was the fact that it's easy to extend it with PHP.
The book does a good job of explaining what MODx is and walking you through many of the aspects of MODx and I was especially happy with the `creating snippets` chapter, that explains how to add your own PHP code on the front end side of your website (so for normal end-users).

But, as often, there is some room for improvement:
In the current version of MODx (1.0) the terminology has changed; so an update of the books seems already necessary.
Some of the examples as mentioned in the book do not seem to work - at least not with the current distribution of MODx - maybe because some snippets (NewsPublisher) were not included anymore (I could have installed them of course - the book does contain instruction about installing snippets).
The instructions about what to type in for the examples are very detailed, but sometimes I would have liked a little more information about what it meant and how it worked (for example: why do I need to type in `[~[*id*]~]` when referring to the current page).
The information about modules is too short. Some extra text about how to configure modules would have been nice - and I would have liked some information about making your own modules (adding your own PHP code on the `backend` side - for the people managing the content of the site).
I would have liked more information about snippets - for example regarding the debugging of snippets.

In general: this book was worth the money because it gives a nice overview and buying it helps further MODx development a little bit - but a new/improved version of the book would be useful.

User review
It's okay, but better guides are available for free on the web
I bought this book to help me learn the MODx system, which is an excellent CMS product. I had already started learning by playing around with it, and by searching the web for sites that talk about it (there are many). Once I received the book I dug right in and although I am thrilled that there is a book on this subject, however, the content was just not very helpful to me. I think the quality of the writing is good, but not the best I've read and some parts are a bit awkwardly worded. Still it is not the worst written either.

My biggest issue is that there are features/functions that are not covered in the book. Perhaps it is because of the modular nature of MODx, but when I would turn to the book to look for answers, they were not there. Perhaps if I were a more advanced user it would be better for me as there appears to be some great chapters on advanced programming with MODx, but I did not get there.

User review
this web developer likes it.
I've been developing sites with MODx for years. It's a great content management system. What it needed was better documentation, and that's where this book comes in. It begins with a cool overview of content management system types, and where MODx fits into that continuum. Then it goes on to describe in clear steps how to build and manage a site. Although I am very experienced with the system by this time, I still picked up some good new things.

It's well-organized, and pretty easy to follow, as long as you have a basic understanding of website concepts. I wish I had had this while I was learning (he said enviously)!

I think the author is an excellent writer, and has done an exemplary job. Very nice!