Lab 99 Web Design

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Introduction to Textpattern

Textpattern website home page

Textpattern is a remarkably versatile content management system, suitable for use in anything from a basic blog to a complex database website.

Textpattern’s Versatility

Textpattern was developed for use in blogs, and comes with all the HTML code that makes a blog work. If you just want to use it for this purpose, or if you have only a limited knowledge of HTML, the default installation will allow you to set up a functioning website very quickly. You may perhaps want to make a few minor alterations to the HTML and the CSS, but this isn’t essential.

Although Textpattern includes plenty of HTML code for you to use if you wish, it has the advantage over some content management systems of not requiring you to use any particular HTML code. The database functionality works independently of the HTML. This versatility is what makes Textpattern a fine content management system.

Database Websites Made Simple

The main Textpattern website is much better than it used to be, and now includes a helpful basic tutorial. Nevertheless, some of Textpattern’s important inner workings may not be obvious to anyone without a background in programming.

The tutorials in this series are for the benefit of those who have a reasonable knowledge of HTML but no knowledge of PHP, the scripting language which underlies Textpattern. In particular, these instructions are intended for those who know how to create a static website and who now want to create a database website without all the bother of learning PHP.

The intention here is not to give an account of everything to do with Textpattern, but to explain how the system works. Once you understand that, you will be able to use the official Textpattern documentation and easily work out the details for yourself.

These tutorials are intended to be as comprehensive as possible. This, and the fact that not everything about Textpattern is obscure, means that almost everyone will find things here that they will think are blindingly obvious. But people have different levels of knowledge, and what is blindingly obvious to one reader may not be blindingly obvious to another.

Installing Textpattern

Textpattern’s installation instructions are clear enough. We will assume that you have installed the program and have checked out the various screens and options.

Textpattern’s Building Blocks

Textpattern contains four main building blocks:

This sequence of tutorials will explain what each of these building blocks does, starting with the two basic elements: pages and sections.

Next …

Continue with the next article: Textpattern Pages and Sections.

[This tutorial is part 1 of a series by Jeremy Bojczuk intended to introduce the Textpattern content management system to web designers who have no knowledge of PHP or databases.]