Drupal is a powerful and versatile content management system used by many businesses and organizations to create and manage their websites. On December 14, 2022, Drupal released its latest version, Drupal 10, which, compared to its predecessor, Drupal 9, offers significant improvements and new features such as new themes, improved frameworks, enhanced content management, better multilingual support, advanced security, and an easier content creation and editing process. In this article we also discuss some of the common issues and obstacles that may be faced during migrations, and provide tips for a smooth and successful transition to the newest version of Drupal.
If you’re currently using Drupal 7, we’ll also cover what you need to know about migrating to Drupal 10, which is a significant change that requires expert guidance. It is important to keep in mind that Drupal 9 will reach its end-of-life in November 2023, so upgrading to Drupal 10 is crucial.
Major Changes & Improvements in Drupal 10
Drupal 10 brings significant improvements and changes, such as the Claro and Olivero themes, Theme Starterkit, CKEditor 5, and Symfony 6. Claro replaces Seven as the new administration theme and aligns with the new default theme, Olivero, providing a modern and intuitive interface for managing Drupal websites. Additionally, Theme Starterkit simplifies the creation of custom themes. CKEditor 5 offers a customizable WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor, while Symfony 6 provides a secure and reliable PHP framework that supports faster development. These updates make Drupal 10 an even more flexible and user-friendly platform for creating and maintaining websites.
Better content management:
Drupal 10 makes the content creation and management process easier than ever by providing a flexible and user-friendly platform for building websites at any size. It offers an intuitive content authoring experience, improved tools for content migration, and better integration for managing media. Additionally, Drupal 10 features an upgraded content preview mechanism that enables users to preview content changes before publishing.
Better multilingual support:
The language detection mechanism of Drupal 10 has been significantly improved as it delivers a personalized experience, with a more flexible and customizable language switcher. The translation management system has also been upgraded, streamlining content translation and management workflows. These enhancements provide a more robust and flexible multilingual support for organizations looking to create and manage websites in multiple languages.
Advanced security:
The new Drupal version has several enhanced security features, including a stronger password policy that require users to choose more secure passwords. In addition, it provides better security for third-party modules, allowing easier identification of potential threats. It also offers regular security updates to make sure that websites remain safe to use.
Enhanced content creation & editing:
With Drupal 10, the content creation process is easier, as it offers a new media library, better media management tools, and more user-friendly content creation and editing forms. Moreover, the introduction of the inline editing function allows the users of Drupal 10 to edit content directly from the front end, streamlining the editing process thus improving the overall user experience.
Common Issues and Obstacles Faced During Migrations
Migrating from an older version of Drupal to the latest version can be a challenging process, and there are several common issues and obstacles that organizations may face during migrations. One of the most significant obstacles is dealing with incompatible modules, as not all modules are compatible with the latest version of Drupal. Another challenge is the potential for data corruption or loss during the migration process. Issues may arise when integrating with other systems or third-party applications. Finally, migrations can result in downtime or service disruption, which can negatively impact the user experience. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to plan the migration carefully, test thoroughly, and seek the assistance of Drupal developers as needed.
Migrating from Drupal 7
Migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 can be a daunting process, as there is a huge difference between the two versions. It is important to note that before migrating to Drupal 10, you must first migrate to Drupal 8. This is because Drupal 8 introduces major structural changes that are not compatible with Drupal 7. It is recommended to seek professional assistance from Drupal developers to ensure a smooth and successful migration. Additionally, it is crucial to evaluate module and theme compatibility, validate data and configuration, and test the new website before launching it live.
Tips for Ensuring a Smooth and Successful Migration
- Before starting the migration process, ensure that all the modules and themes you use are compatible with the new version. Incompatible modules and themes can cause errors and issues during the upgrading, leading to data loss. It is recommended to seek professional assistance to update the modules that are not compatible with Drupal 10.
- Make sure to validate all the data and configuration settings to ensure that they are correct and complete. This includes validating user accounts, content types, theme settings, and module configurations. This will help to ensure that your website is migrated correctly and without errors.
- It’s always a good idea to test the migration in a staging environment before launching the upgraded website. This allows you to identify and fix any issues or errors before they affect the live site.
- Migrating to a new version of Drupal can be complex and challenging, especially if you have a large and complex site. Therefore, seeking professional assistance from experienced developers can ensure to make the process smooth and successful. Drupal developers can provide expert guidance on the best practices and tools to use, as well as help to address any issues or problems that may arise during the migration.
The Final Word
In conclusion, upgrading to Drupal 10 can provide significant benefits, including improved content management, enhanced multilingual support, advanced security, and better content creation and editing. However, it’s essential to carefully plan and execute the migration process to avoid common issues and obstacles. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure a seamless transition to Drupal 10 and enjoy its enhanced features and capabilities, ultimately delivering a better user experience for your audience.