29/10/2013

Joomla 3.2: discover what is new

Native integration of some features, secure access to back-office, a more user-oriented interface... Joomla version 3.2, which should be available in early November (beta 2 being released 25th October), contains many new features. Read more in the following interview with Yann Gomiero, Co-founder and President of the AFUJ (Association Francophone des Utilisateurs de Joomla - joomla.fr).

What are the notable features for the contributors?

The back-office now integrates versioning, automatic installation in multiple language options and the "app store" for extensions.

Versioning, a previous extension, is now a native feature of Joomla 3.2, providing access to older versions and drafts of content as well as the possibility to compare the different versions.

Joomla 3.2 anglais versioning

In addition, the multilingual mode can now be selected when installing the CMS whereas previously each additional language required an installation. This new feature saves time in setting up a new multilingual website.

Joomla 3.2 anglais multilangue

Finally, this new version offers an "app store", meaning a directory of extensions, integrated into the interface so to replace the dedicated website. This directory allows you to select extensions, which can be installed in a few clicks.

Joomla 3.2 app store Joomla Extension Directory (JED)

Furthermore, Joomla 3.2 is enriched with useful features such as secure access to back-office. This is enhanced through the establishment of a new encryption system and the integration of two-factor authentication. This system can require a second code, eg sent to a smartphone to access the back office.

This new version should also make available the French translation of the online help, conducted by a member of the Francophone community. Over 90% of the pages (185 pages) have been translated with the support of AFUJ. Other languages ​​will follow.

Can you discuss the new features for developers?

Yes: the Joomla development platform! RAD (Rapid Application Development) is now natively integrated. This integration facilitates rapid access to the development framework, which saves time on extension development through using the Agile method. Joomla! RAD also complies with the Model-View-Controller (MVC) from Joomla.

Joomla 3.2 Rapid Application Development (RAD)

In addition, version 3.2 natively uses the Ajax framework, which allows developers to create extensions (eg drag and drop to rank a list of items) integrating framework libraries.

Finally, Joomla 3.2 introduces a microdata library, which will simplify accessing microdata, this should improve the SEO of the site.

Is the new version easy for new contributors to pick up on a functional level?
Joomla 3.2 includes version 4.0.8 of TinyMCE, the WYSIWYG editor based on JavaScript and HTML. This latest version of TinyMCE integrates better with Joomla’s responsive interface, both in the administration in back office in the front office, especially for editing articles. Joomla is responsive since the version 3.0 because the interface has been redesigned with the integration of Bootstrap in the front and back-end.

Joomla 3.2 anglais TinyMCE avant
Joomla 3.2 anglais TinyMCE 4

Moreover, the user interface for managing templates has been redesigned to simplify actions such as changing style, copying the original template... by contributors.

How does the migration from one version to the other work on a technical level?
Versions of Joomla are divided into two categories: Short Term Support (STS), the versions being a short term support, and Long Term Support (LTS) versions being a long term support. In the 2.x branch as in the 3.x branch, the LTS versions are .5: the 2.5 and 3.5. Within each branch, the update is done with one click.
Migration from one branch to another, even if it is automated and is controlled from the admin interface, is more complex. Before anything else, it is essential to check the compatibility on one hand, extensions and, on the other hand, the language versions of databases (the 3.x branch is installed in several database configurations including PostgreSQL).

However, the community recommends waiting for the next LTS version (3.5) to upgrade from 2.x branch.

The screenshots were taken from Kiwi.net and OStraining.com.

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