Learning Joomla! 3 Extension Development-Third Edition by Tim Plummer

by Tim Plummer

A practical guide with step-by-step examples that build on each other so you can learn by doing and get hands-on knowledge about creating your plugins, modules, and components in Joomla."Learning Joomla! 3 Extension Development, Third Edition" is for developers who want to create their own Joomla extensions. It is assumed you will have some basic PHP, HTML, and CSS knowledge, but you don't need any prior Joomla programming experience. This book will also be useful to people who just want to make minor customizations to existing Joomla extensions and build on the work of others in the open source spirit.

Paperback Bunko

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[David Attard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been working in Joomla industry for 7 years now, nearly as long as Joomla! has been around. I've always been interested in web development, and having a significant career in software development in general, I originally found it quite easy to learn the syntax of what was (then) a new language for me (PHP), and quickly got productive with a language which I was previously not very familiar with. However, the most difficult part of learning and getting to grips with a new language or a new system, is learning its API (Application Programming Interface). Each language and each framework has its own API, different rules, different functions and different ways of working which usually requires a good reference to enable you to be productive with the framework. Joomla is no different has a very rich framework which is essentially its strength since it allows anybody or anyone to create components, modules and plugins which extend the functionality of the basic CMS. However, it takes time to get familiar with an API and usually a good book eases the transition to a new framework. If you are completely new to Joomla or coming from a different CMS, then mastering the Joomla Framework can be a bit of a challenge.

This book has been a game changer and a refreshing help. The book has been a very good resource for me to get to grips with the development nuances of the Joomla 3 API.

The contents of book flow very well, starting with a brief intro to Joomla and it's various types of extensions, What's new in Joomla 3, Tools you need to develop in Joomla and then delves into the API and more details on how to develop plugins, modules and full blown components. It introduces the general classes Joomla uses, and how they relate to each other. Each chapter then introduces and describes more enhanced functionality, such as accessing the database, developing components, the MVC model, and keeps on building, with each chapter building and adding to the knowledge learned in the previous chapters. If you want to complement and enhance your Joomla extension development knowledge, then this is the book for you.

Besides being a good all round development book, its an excellent reference. When you are stuck on something, just find the relevant chapter, read through the examples, and soon you'll have enough information to get yourself going. The Appendix also has a full API reference with all classes and methods, which once again is a golden nugget.

Overall I think this book is a great book for anyone delving into the Joomla Development world, and highly recommend this book.

[Designjoomla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tutorial style book as excellent resource is addressed mainly for Joomla developers with basic PHP, HTML, and CSS knowledge, but not only. It will be useful also to developers that are new to Joomla and want to make a start with developing extensions. Besides that there is a group of Joomla 2.5 developers who need to ensure their extensions are compatible with new version - they also won’t be disappointed.
Learning Joomla! 3 Extension Development divided into 10 chapters is a practical step-by-step guide packed with examples about building and extending your plugins, modules, and components in Joomla.
The way in which the book is divided is not accidental. It starts with a intro to Joomla and it's various types of extensions, what's new in Joomla 3 and tools you need to develop in Joomla. Then if focuses on API, plugins and modules and then it goes to backend and frontend component development.It introduces the general classes Joomla uses, and how they relate to each other. Next part is about common security vulnerabilities and what you can do to avoid them. After that the author explains how to prepare your extensions for distribution and updates, as well as how you can extend your components with various plugins and modules.
Each chapter introduces and describes more enhanced functionality with each chapter building and adding to your knowledge learned in the previous chapters.
I like the way it's explained how to do it That leads you to a fully working example that you can modify and learn from.
Clear division has another easy advantage - when you have a problem with something, you just need to find the relevant chapter and read it. So at the end you will stand with a package of functionable extensions ready to use!
I am sure that this book is just perfect for anyone who want to explore the Joomla Development world. I do not have any other choice but to recommend it. It's a obligatory copy if you want to build your own custom extensions in Joomla.
"Learning Joomla! 3 Extension Development" will give you opportunity to learn it all in a practical way.