Unit 3 - Joomla

Basic Joomla :
An open source content management system (CMS) called Joomla is used to
create online apps and webpages. It is divided into front-end and back-end
templates (administrator) and is extensible and free. PHP, Object-Oriented
Programming, software design patterns, and MySQL (which is used to store the
data) are employed in the development of Joomla.
Features

User Manager: This feature facilitates the management of user data, including
the ability to modify, access, publish, add, or remove users, as well as modify
passwords and languages. Authentication is the primary component of the user
manager.
• Content Manager: It makes it possible to manage content in an extremely
easy-to-use manner by using a WYSIWYG editor to generate or edit content.
• Banner Manager: This tool is utilized for adding or modifying banners to the
webpage.
The Template Manager is responsible for overseeing the designs utilized on the
website. In a matter of seconds, the templates can be put into use without
altering the content structure.
• Media Manager: This is the folder and tool for organizing and managing
media files that you can upload, manage, and organize into your article editor
tool with ease.
● How to Install WAMP
● Step 1: Download the WAMP Server

● Go to the official website https://www.wampserver.com/en/ and

download the WampServer setup. There are two versions of WampServer
are available i.e. 64-bits (x64) and 32-bits (x86), choose according to
your computer’s configuration.

simply click on the link “download directly” like shown below and move ahead
with the download process.
Step 2: Initiate WAMP Server Install Process
Soon after you click on the downloaded file, you will be asked to choose your
preferred language and click the “Ok” button. As I’m choosing English here.
See below.

The next screen you will see is about the license agreement. Click on the “I
accept the agreement” radio button and then the “Next” button to continue with
the installation shown below.
The next screen will inform you about the required components that have to be
present in your computer system for the proper functioning of the WampServer.
The main purpose of this step is to check for the suitable version of Microsoft
VC++ re-distributable package. Click on the ‘Next’ to continue.
Step 3: Select Location/Destination to Install WAMP
Here, you need to select the location to install the WAMP on your computer.
However, you can accept the default location and move ahead. To continue with
the installation hit the ‘Next’ button.

Step 4: Select Start Menu Folder to Install WAMP

Now, you need to select the folder where you wish to create the program’s
shortcut. You can select any folder of your choice or you can continue with the
default option. You can easily access this folder from the Windows start button.
Choose the folder and click ‘Next’ to continue.
Step 5: Ready to Install WAMP
Finally, you would see a ready to install wizard with a ready setup to begin the
installation. Just hit the ‘Install’ button to begin the installation procedure.
Now, just be patient as the WampServer is extracting files to your selected
location. Let the process complete.

Once the status bar is turned fully green, an information screen will appear like
the one shown below. Click ‘Next’ to continue.
Note: During the installation process, you will be prompted to select a default
web browser. You can either keep it as default i.e. Internet Explorer. Else click
on the folder icon to browser, find, and choose other options. Click on Open to
confirm your selection. Also, you may be prompted to add SMTP, and email
settings. Add the value or keep it as default and click on the Next option. The
installation process will continue.
Step 6: WAMP Installation Complete
The installation is almost done now simply click ‘Finish’ to exit the setup.

hat’s all. You are ready with the WAMP server now.
● Joomla Admin :
Overview of the Joomla Admin Panel :

You administer your website using the Joomla Admin Panel (Control Panel). Its
organization and user-friendliness make it simple to explore through its many
features.
Important Areas of the Joomla Dashboard Admin Panel

Synopsis: provide a synopsis of site data, such as system messages and user
activities.
Quick Links: Easy access to often used features like managing extensions or
adding new articles.
Article Content: Write/Edit Articles: Take charge of the content on your
website.
Categories: Put items in sensible clusters.
Media: Add and organize pictures and other types of media files.
Menu Management: Construct and oversee menus for navigation.
Items in the menu: Specify links to external URLs, articles, or categories.
Users: Create, modify, and oversee user accounts with User Management.
User Groups: Assign various user roles to different permissions and levels of
access.

● Joomla global configuration :

One essential component in Joomla that lets you control site-wide settings is the
Global Configuration. Below is a summary of its primary attributes and
configurations:
Accessing Global Configuration
1. Log in to the Joomla Admin Panel.
2. Navigate to System in the top menu.
3. Click on Global Configuration.
Main Sections of Global Configuration
1. Site
● Site Name: Set the name that appears in the title of the browser.
● Offline Message: Create a custom message for visitors when the site is
offline.
● Default Editor: Choose which editor to use for content creation (e.g.,
TinyMCE, JCE).
● Default Template: Select the default template for the front end of your
site.
● Language Settings: Set the default language for the site.
2. System
● Server Settings:
 o Debug System: Enable debugging for troubleshooting.
o Error Reporting: Set the level of error reporting for your site
(None, Simple, Maximum).
o Force HTTPS: Option to force secure connections on your site.
● Session Settings: Configure session management settings, including
timeout duration.
● Cache Settings: Enable and configure caching to improve site
performance.
3. Server
● Server Settings: Specify details related to your server configuration,
including:
o FTP Settings: Configure FTP settings for file access if needed.
o Path to Temp Folder: Set the path for temporary files.
● Database Settings: Ensure your database connection settings are correct.
4. Permissions
● Global Permissions: Set permissions for different user groups, controlling
who can access various features and sections of the site.
Saving Changes
After making any changes in the Global Configuration:
● Click the Save button to apply your changes.
● Use Save & Close to save and return to the previous page.
● Click Cancel to discard any changes made.

● Article Manager :
1. An overview of its features and an example of how to use it effectively
are provided below. The Joomla Article Manager is an essential tool for
creating and managing content on your website.
2. Accessing the Article Manager
3. Log in to the Joomla Admin Panel.
4. Navigate to Content in the top menu.
5. Click on Articles to access the Article Manager.
6. Key Features of the Article Manager
1. Article List
● Overview: Displays a list of all articles with details like title, category,
author, status, and creation date.
● Filtering and Searching: Use the search bar and filters to quickly find
specific articles by title, category, or status.
2. Creating a New Article
● Click the New button to create a new article.
● Editor: Use the text editor to add content. You can format text, insert
images, and add links.
● Fields:
● Title: Set the title of the article.
● Alias: Automatically generated but can be customized for SEO-friendly
URLs.
● Category: Assign the article to a specific category for better
organization.
● Publishing Options: Set start and end publishing dates, and choose the
article status (Published, Unpublished, Archived).
● Metadata: Add SEO metadata like meta description and keywords.
3. Editing an Article
● Select an article from the list and click Edit.
● Make changes in the text editor or update any fields.
● Version Control: Joomla maintains article versions, allowing you to
revert to previous versions if needed.
4. Article Options
● Publishing: Change the article’s status (Published, Unpublished,
Archived) directly from the list view.
● Access Levels: Set who can view the article based on user groups.
● Tags: Use tags for additional organization and search optimization.
 5. Batch Processing
● Use the Batch feature to perform actions on multiple articles at once, such
as changing the category or publishing status.

● Front Page Manager

The Front Page Manager in Joomla is usually used to manage the material that
appears on your website's homepage. The Content and Menus components are
principally responsible for handling this functionality. Here's a quick rundown
of top page management:

Steps to Manage the Front Page in Joomla:

1. Log into Joomla Administrator:
o Access your Joomla backend by visiting
yourdomain.com/administrator.
2. Create or Manage Articles:
o Go to Content > Articles to create or edit articles that you want to
display on the front page.
o Ensure that articles you want visible are published.
3. Set Front Page Articles:
o You can assign specific articles to show on the front page by using
the Featured Articles option.
o In the Articles list, you can mark articles as "Featured" to include
them on the front page.
4. Create a Menu Item for the Front Page:
o Navigate to Menus > Main Menu (or your active menu).
o Click Add New Menu Item.
o Choose Articles and then select Featured Articles as the menu
item type.
o Configure the settings, and set the menu item to display as the
homepage.
 5. Adjust Module Positions:
o Go to Extensions > Modules to manage the modules displayed on
the homepage.
o You can enable or disable modules and assign them to specific
positions.
6. Use the Template’s Customization Options:
o Some Joomla templates have their own settings for customizing the
homepage. Check under Extensions > Templates > Styles.
7. Preview and Save Changes:
o Always preview your changes before saving to ensure everything
looks good.

● Category manager
The Category Manager in Joomla is a key feature for organizing and managing
your content. It allows you to create categories that can group your articles,
helping to keep your website structured and easy to navigate. Here’s how to use
the Category Manager effectively:
Accessing the Category Manager
1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:
o Go to yourdomain.com/administrator and enter your credentials.
2. Navigate to Categories:
o Click on Content in the top menu, then select Categories.
Managing Categories
1. Creating a New Category:
o Click the New button.
o Fill in the Title, Alias, and Description for the category.
o Set the Parent Category if you want to create a nested category.
o Adjust any parameters (like access level and publishing options) as
needed.
o Click Save or Save & Close.
 2. Editing an Existing Category:
o In the Category Manager, click on the category you want to edit.
o Make your changes and then save.
3. Deleting Categories:
o Select the category you wish to delete and click the Trash button.
o To permanently delete, go to the Trash tab, select the category, and
click Empty Trash.
Organizing Categories
● Nested Categories: You can create a hierarchy by setting a parent
category. This is useful for larger sites with multiple content types.
● Filters: Use the filter options at the top of the Category Manager to find
specific categories quickly.
Category Parameters
● Metadata: Set SEO-related metadata (like meta description and
keywords) for better search engine visibility.
● Layout Options: You can specify how articles in this category will be
displayed when linked through a menu item.
Linking Categories to Menu Items
1. Create a Menu Item:
o Go to Menus and select the menu you want to add to.
o Click on Add New Menu Item.
o Choose Articles > Category Blog or Category List, and select the
desired category.
2. Configure Display Settings:
o Adjust the layout settings, article count, and other parameters as
needed.
3. Save: Once set, save the menu item.

● Media Manager
The Media Manager in Joomla is a powerful tool that allows you to manage
files and images on your website. It provides a user-friendly interface for
uploading, organizing, and managing media files such as images, videos, and
documents.
Accessing the Media Manager
1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:
o Go to yourdomain.com/administrator and enter your credentials.
2. Navigate to Media Manager:
o Click on Content in the top menu and select Media.
Using the Media Manager
1. Uploading Files:
o Click on the Upload button or drag and drop files directly into the
Media Manager interface.
o You can select multiple files to upload at once.
2. Creating Folders:
o To keep your media organized, you can create folders. Click on the
New Folder button, name your folder, and it will be created in the
current directory.
3. Managing Files:
o You can click on files to view details, rename them, or delete them.
o Use the checkbox to select multiple files for bulk actions like
deleting.
4. Editing Files:
o While the Media Manager doesn't have built-in editing capabilities,
you can manage files by right-clicking (or using options in the
toolbar) to rename, delete, or move them to different folders.
Organizing Media
● Folder Structure: Use a logical folder structure to categorize your media
(e.g., images, videos, documents) for easy navigation.
● File Naming: Use descriptive names for your files to make it easier to
find them later and improve SEO.
Using Media in Articles
1. Inserting Media into Articles:
o When editing an article, click the Image button in the editor to
select an image from the Media Manager.
o You can also add links to documents or other media files.
2. Media Tags: Use the Media Manager to manage any media tags that help
categorize or describe your files.

● Menu Manager
The Menu Manager in Joomla is an essential feature that allows you to
create, manage, and organize the navigation menus for your website.
Accessing the Menu Manager
1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:
o Go to yourdomain.com/administrator and enter your credentials.
2. Navigate to Menus:
o Click on the Menus tab in the top menu. You'll see a list of your
existing menus.
Managing Menus
1. Creating a New Menu:
o Click on Add New Menu.
o Fill in the Menu Title and Menu Type (the identifier for this menu).
o Set the Description if desired.
o Save your new menu.
2. Adding Menu Items:
o Click on the menu you want to add items to.
o Click the New button to create a new menu item.
o Choose the Menu Item Type (e.g., Articles, Categories, External
URL).
o Configure the Menu Item Details, such as the title, alias, and any
additional settings.
o Save your menu item.
3. Organizing Menu Items:
o Drag and drop menu items to rearrange them.
o You can create sub-menu items by dragging them slightly to the
right under a parent item.
4. Editing and Deleting Menu Items:
 o Click on an existing menu item to edit its settings.
o To delete, select the item and click the Trash button.

Menu Item Types

● Single Article: Links to a specific article.
● Category Blog: Displays articles from a specific category.
● External URL: Links to an external website.
● Contact: Links to a contact form.
● User Menu: For user-related options, like login/logout.

Menu Module Assignment

1. Menu Module Settings:
o Navigate to Extensions > Modules to find the menu module
associated with your menus.
o You can assign the module to specific positions on your template
and control its visibility based on user access levels.
2. Menu Style and Display Options:
o Customize the appearance of the menu (dropdowns, icons, etc.)
through module settings or CSS.

● Component Manager
●
The Component Manager in Joomla is a critical area for managing the
various components that extend the functionality of your Joomla website.
Accessing the Component Manager
1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:
o Navigate to yourdomain.com/administrator and log in with your
credentials.
2. Navigate to Components:
o Click on the Components menu at the top of the dashboard. Here,
you'll see a list of installed components.

Managing Components

1. Installing New Components:

o To install a new component, go to Extensions > Manage > Install.
o You can upload a package file or install from the Joomla
Extensions Directory (JED)
2. Updating Components:
 o To update components, go to Extensions > Manage > Update.
You can check for updates and install them as needed.
3. Configuring Components:
o Click on the specific component from the Components menu to
access its configuration settings. Each component will have its own
set of parameters and options.
4. Managing Installed Components:
o To see a list of all installed components, go to Extensions >
Manage > Manage. Here, you can enable, disable, or uninstall
components.
o Use the search and filter options to find specific components
quickly.
Using Components
● Each component has its own specific functionality. Common components
include:
o Content: For managing articles and categories.
o Users: For managing user accounts and permissions.
o Contacts: For managing contact forms.
o Redirect: For managing URL redirects.

● Content Manager

Accessing the Content Manager

1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:

o Go to yourdomain.com/administrator and log in with your
credentials.
2. Navigate to Articles:
o Click on Content in the top menu, then select Articles.

Managing Articles

1. Creating a New Article:

o Click on the New button.
o Enter the Title and Alias.
o Use the editor to add content, images, and formatting.
o Assign the article to one or more Categories to keep your content
organized.
o Set the Publishing Options (status, start and finish publishing
dates, access levels).
 o Save your article.
2. Editing Existing Articles:
o Click on the article you want to edit in the list.
o Make your changes and save.
3. Filtering and Searching:
o Use the filter options at the top of the Articles page to search for
specific articles or filter by status, category, or author.
4. Featured Articles:
o Mark articles as Featured to display them prominently on your
site’s homepage or in specific modules.
5. Versioning:
o Joomla supports version control, allowing you to revert to previous
versions of an article if needed.
Organizing Articles
● Categories: Articles can be grouped into categories for better
organization. You can create and manage categories under Content >
Categories.
● Tags: Use tags to further categorize and relate articles. This can enhance
navigation and searchability.
Managing Other Content Types
1. Categories: Manage your categories through Content > Categories.
Here you can create, edit, and organize categories for your articles.
2. Media: Use the Media Manager (found under Content > Media) to
upload and manage images and files used in your articles.

● Extension Manager
The Extension Manager in Joomla is a crucial tool for managing the
various extensions that enhance the functionality of your website.
Extensions include components, modules, plugins, templates, and
languages.
Accessing the Extension Manager

1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:

o Go to yourdomain.com/administrator and log in with your
credentials.
2. Navigate to Extensions:
o Click on the Extensions menu in the top navigation bar.
o Select Manage to access the Extension Manager.
o
Managing Extensions
1. Installing Extensions:
o Click on the Install tab.
o You can upload an extension package file directly from your
computer or install from a URL or the Joomla Extensions Directory
(JED).
o Click Upload & Install to install the extension.
2. Updating Extensions:
o To check for updates, click on the Update tab.
o You can select the extensions you want to update and click
Update.
o Ensure your Joomla installation is up to date for the best
compatibility with extensions.
3. Managing Installed Extensions:
o Under the Manage tab, you’ll see a list of all installed extensions.
o Use the search and filtering options to find specific extensions.
o You can enable, disable, or uninstall extensions from this list.
4. Checking Extension Details:
o Click on an extension’s name to view details such as version,
author, and description. This can help you determine if an update is
needed or if it’s compatible with your Joomla version.
Types of Extensions
1. Components: Larger applications that handle specific functionality (e.g.,
blogs, e-commerce).
2. Modules: Smaller blocks of content that can be displayed in various
positions on your site (e.g., sidebars, footers).
3. Plugins: Pieces of code that extend the functionality of Joomla (e.g.,
content filters, SEO tools).
4. Templates: The visual design and layout of your site.
5. Languages: Language packs that allow your site to be multilingual.

● Module Manager
The Module Manager in Joomla is a vital tool for managing modules,
which are lightweight extensions that display content and functionality in
various positions across your website. Modules can be used for a variety
of purposes, such as displaying menus, banners, articles, or custom
HTML.
Accessing the Module Manager
1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:
 o Go to yourdomain.com/administrator and log in with your
credentials.
2. Navigate to Modules:
o Click on Extensions in the top menu.
o Select Modules from the dropdown.

Managing Modules

1. Creating a New Module:

o Click the New button to create a new module.
o Choose the type of module you want to create (e.g., Custom
HTML, Articles, Menu).
o Configure the module settings, including the title, position, and any
specific parameters relevant to the module type.
o Save your module.
2. Editing Existing Modules:
o Click on the module you want to edit from the list.
o Make your changes and save.
3. Publishing and Unpublishing Modules:
o You can publish or unpublish modules directly from the Modules
list by toggling the status (the green checkmark means published,
while a red cross means unpublished).
4. Module Assignment:
o In the module settings, you can specify which pages the module
appears on using the Menu Assignment tab. You can choose to
show the module on all pages, only on selected pages, or hide it on
certain pages.
5. Ordering Modules:
o You can reorder modules by dragging them up or down in the list
to change their display order if they are in the same position.
Module Positions
1. Different Joomla templates have various predefined module positions
(e.g., sidebar, header, footer).
2. You can check available positions by viewing the template’s position map
or by enabling the Template Preview mode in the frontend.

● Plugin manager
The Plugin Manager in Joomla is an essential tool for managing plugins,
which are small extensions that add specific features or functionalities to
your website. Plugins can perform various tasks, such as modifying content,
enhancing SEO, or adding custom functionality. Here’s how to effectively
use the Plugin Manager:

Accessing the Plugin Manager

1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:
o Go to yourdomain.com/administrator and log in with your
credentials.
2. Navigate to Plugins:
o Click on Extensions in the top menu.
o Select Plugins from the dropdown.
Managing Plugins
1. Viewing Installed Plugins:
o You will see a list of all installed plugins. Use the search and
filtering options to find specific plugins quickly.
2. Enabling or Disabling Plugins:
o You can enable or disable a plugin by clicking the green checkmark
(enabled) or red cross (disabled) in the status column.
3. Creating a New Plugin:
o Click on the New button to create a new plugin.
o Fill in the necessary details, such as the name, type, and any
configuration settings required for the plugin.
o Save your new plugin.
4. Editing Existing Plugins:
o Click on the name of an existing plugin to edit its settings.
o Make any necessary changes and save.
5. Access Levels:
o Set access levels for plugins to control which user groups can
access or modify them.
● Plugin Types
Plugins are categorized by type, including:
1. Content Plugins: Modify content before it is displayed (e.g., parsing
shortcodes).
2. System Plugins: Execute tasks during the Joomla execution process (e.g.,
logging, SEO).
3. User Plugins: Manage user-related functions (e.g., user registration).
4. Search Plugins: Enhance search functionality.
● Changing The Layout Structure By Changing The Module
Position In Joomla

Changing the layout structure of your Joomla site by modifying module

positions can significantly enhance the design and functionality of your
pages.
Step 1: Identify Your Template's Module Positions

1. Access the Frontend:

o Visit your website's frontend.
2. Enable Template Positions:
o To view available module positions, you can enable the template
position display:
▪ Append ?tp=1 to your site's URL (e.g.,
yourdomain.com?tp=1).
▪ This will show a grid overlay with all available module
positions.
Step 2: Access the Module Manager

1. Log into the Joomla Administrator:

o Go to yourdomain.com/administrator and log in.
2. Navigate to Modules:
o Click on Extensions in the top menu.
o Select Modules.
Step 3: Change Module Positions
1. Select a Module to Edit:
o Click on the module you want to reposition from the list.
2. Change the Module Position:
o In the module settings, locate the Position dropdown menu.
o Choose the new position where you want the module to appear
based on the available positions shown on your frontend.
3. Adjust Additional Settings:
o Check any other settings that might be relevant, such as visibility
options, menu assignments, or access levels.
4. Save Changes:
o Click the Save button to apply your changes.
Step 4: Review Your Changes
1. Check the Frontend:
o Refresh your website’s frontend to see the changes take effect.
 o Verify that the module is displaying correctly in its new position.
Step 5: Fine-Tune Layout
● Module Order: If you have multiple modules in the same position, you
can reorder them in the Module Manager by dragging and dropping.
● Template Overrides: If you need further customization, consider using
template overrides to modify how modules are displayed.