Getting Started with Joomla!: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:11, 4 January 2025

This article is for Joomla! CMS Version(s)

Introduction

Joomla! is one of the most popular, free and open-source content management systems (CMS) available for publishing web content. It is user friendly, extendable, multilingual, accessible, responsive, search engine optimised and so much more. Joomla! 4 is the current version, released in August 2021.

Joomla! must be installed on a web server, either on your own computer for private testing purposes or a hosting service to make your content available to the rest of the world.

There are thousands of free and commercial Joomla! extensions available from third parties for all sorts of special purposes. However, Joomla! comes with enough core extensions to allow you to create a fully functional web site. It is best to familiarise yourself with the core Joomla capabilities before looking for third party extensions.

Understanding Joomla!

If you're having trouble visualizing how Joomla! works, it might be useful for you to think of Joomla! as an Operating System (OS), like Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS or Linux. The most important similarity is that your OS uses Applications and Joomla! uses Extensions to do something useful.

Further similarities and differences can be found in the following table.

Comparison Table

Joomla! concept	Operating System concept
Extension	Added Application (e.g. Word, Chrome, Music Player, Photoshop)
Core extensions	Built-in applications (e.g. Start button, Screen Saver, File Search)
Database	File system (one type of Files)
File system	File system (another type of Files)
Viewing a page	Using an application (Added or Built-in)
Updating Joomla!	Installing updates for your OS (Security patches and bug fixes)
Migrating between Joomla! versions	Installing a new version of your OS, for example moving from MS Windows 7 to MS Windows 10.

What You Will Need

A Hosting Environment

On your own laptop or desktop. Install a WAMP or XAMP or LAMP stack. This looks daunting but is usually very easy and may be installed already along with your operating system. The W stands for Windows, the X for Mac OS X and L for Linux, your OS software; the A stands for Apache, the web server software; the M stands for MySQL (or MariaDB), the database software; the P for PHP, a widely use web scripting language. You should also install phpMyAdmin to create a Database and Database User.
- Check whether your OS provides the appropriate stack. If it does, check that it is installed or install it. If not, search the web for a download site. All of this software is free! You should not need to pay or provide any personal details.
- If stuck, try XAMPP which is a free package used to install and manage all of the required components, except Joomla. It works on all platforms. WAMP is restricted to Windows.
On a Hosting Service. Almost all will provide the necessary environment. However, the cheapest may have over-restrictive php.ini settings so it is best to check the recommended settings in the Installing Joomla tutorial with what a proposed hosting service provides.

An Installed Copy of Joomla!

This is described in more details in the Installing Joomla! tutorial.

Download the latest version of Joomla to your local computer from the Joomla site.
Move or copy it to the root of your web site, uncompress it and give the folder a short name.
Install Joomla!.
- Installing with Sample Data allows you to to explore a Joomla! site before you have created one for your own content.

Alternatives

Use a Demo Installation. Many hosting services or script installer sites offer 'demo' versions of a Joomla! installation. You will at least be able to make changes, but they will not be permanent. 'Demo installations' are reset back to a 'fresh' installation state at regular intervals.
One-click Installation. Many hosting services offer a one-click installation of popular web site programs.

Alternatives are likely to come with their own problems and are probably best avoided!

Upgrading an Existing Site

If you have inherited an existing site you may need to follow the Upgrading from an Existing Version tutorial.

Getting Started Tutorials

Summing it all up

Articles are the main type of web site content.
Categories create an organisational hierarchy to control web site content.
Menus provide a navigational method to use or browse the web site content (pages).
Modules provide a means to combine web site content (Articles) with other information.
Templates control the look of a Joomla! web site.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 <noinclude><languages /></noinclude>
-<noinclude>{{Joomla version|version=4.x}}</noinclude>
+{{version|4.x,5.x}}
 <translate>
 ==Introduction== <!--T:2-->
 </translate>
 <translate>
-Joomla! is one of the most popular, free and open-source content management systems (CMS) available for publishing web content. It is user friendly, extendable, multilingual, accessible, responsive, search engine optimised and so much more.
+<!--T:71-->
+Joomla! is one of the most popular, free and open-source content management systems (CMS) available for publishing web content. It is user friendly, extendable, multilingual, accessible, responsive, search engine optimised and so much more. '''Joomla! 4''' is the current version, released in August 2021.
 </translate>
 <translate>
-===Joomla! Version 4===
+<!--T:78-->
+Joomla! must be installed on a web server, either on your own computer for private testing purposes or a hosting service to make your content available to the rest of the world.
+<!--T:79-->
+There are thousands of free and commercial Joomla! extensions available from third parties for all sorts of special purposes. However, Joomla! comes with enough '''core''' extensions to allow you to create a fully functional web site. It is best to familiarise yourself with the core Joomla capabilities before looking for third party extensions.
 </translate>
-<translate><!--T:1-->
-This series of articles introduces Joomla! Version 4 to people who have not previously used Joomla!. Its main focus is:</translate>
-<translate><!--T:9-->
-* Users with limited computing experience</translate>
-<translate><!--T:10-->
-* Users who are using Joomla! for a small web site. (e.g. club, association, church or small business), although Joomla! itself can be used for quite large and complex websites.</translate>
 <translate>
@@ Line 23: / Line 22: @@
 </translate>
 <translate><!--T:14-->
-If you're having trouble visualizing how Joomla! works, it might be useful for you to think of Joomla! as an [[wp:Operating system|operating system (OS)]], like Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS or Linux.</translate>
+If you're having trouble visualizing how Joomla! works, it might be useful for you to think of Joomla! as an Operating System (OS), like Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS or Linux. The most important similarity is that your OS uses '''Applications''' and Joomla! uses '''Extensions''' to do something useful. </translate>
-<translate><!--T:15-->
-The most important similarity is that both your OS and Joomla! are not really intended for direct use. You need to install applications onto your OS (and extensions for Joomla!) to be able to actually do something useful with your computer (and your web site). Just like your OS, Joomla! comes with enough ''core'' extensions to allow you to create a fully functional web site.</translate>
 <translate><!--T:16-->
@@ Line 40: / Line 36: @@
 Operating System concept</translate>
 |-
-| [[Extension/en|<translate><!--T:21-->
+| [[S:MyLanguage/Extension|<translate><!--T:21-->
 Extension</translate>]] ||  <translate><!--T:22-->
 Added Application (e.g. Word, Chrome, Music Player, Photoshop)</translate>
@@ Line 66: / Line 62: @@
 | <translate><!--T:33-->
 Migrating between Joomla! versions</translate> || <translate><!--T:34-->
-Installing a new version of your OS, for example moving from MS Windows XP to MS Windows 7.</translate>
+Installing a new version of your OS, for example moving from MS Windows 7 to MS Windows 10.</translate>
 |}
 <translate>
@@ Line 74: / Line 70: @@
 <translate>
-===An Installed Copy of Joomla!=== <!--T:36-->
+=== A Hosting Environment === <!--T:80--></translate>
-</translate>
-<translate><!--T:37-->
-For some parts of these tutorials you must have the use of a Joomla! web site. You can follow along just reading the material, but there is no better way of learning than doing. Here are the options available.</translate>
-<translate><!--T:38-->
-* '''Install a copy of Joomla! (with Sample Data) on your own computer.''' This is sometimes referred to as a 'localhost' installation. This is a good option for beginners.
-</translate>
-<translate><!--T:39-->
-* '''Install a copy of Joomla! (with Sample Data) on a Hosting server.''' This is sometimes referred to as a 'remote host' installation. This is a good option for beginners.</translate>
 <translate>
-**Installing with Sample Data allows you to to explore a Joomla! site before you have created one for your own content. </translate>
+<!--T:75-->
-<translate><!--T:40-->
+* '''On your own laptop or desktop.''' Install a WAMP or XAMP or LAMP stack. This looks daunting but is usually very easy and may be installed already along with your operating system. The W stands for Windows, the X for Mac OS X and L for Linux, your OS software; the A stands for Apache, the web server software; the M stands for MySQL (or MariaDB), the database software; the P for PHP, a widely use web scripting language. You should also install phpMyAdmin to create a Database and Database User. </translate>
-* '''Use an existing Joomla! web site'''. If you are going to be adding content to an existing site and do not have much computing experience this is a '''not a good option'''.</translate>
-<translate>
-====What to do to install Joomla!====
-</translate>
 <translate>
-* '''On your own laptop or desktop.''' Install a WAMP or XAMP stack. This looks daunting but is usually very easy and may be installed already along with your operating system. The W stands for Windows, the X for Mac OS X or Linux, your OS software; the A stands for Apache, the web server software; the M stands for MySQL, the database software; the P for PHP, a widely use web scripting language. Read More...</translate>
+<!--T:76-->
+** Check whether your OS provides the appropriate stack. If it does, check that it is installed or install it. If not, search the web for a download site. All of this software is free! You should not need to pay or provide any personal details.
+** If stuck, try [https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html XAMPP] which is a free package used to install and manage all of the required components, except Joomla. It works on all platforms. WAMP is restricted to Windows.</translate>
 <translate>
-* '''On your own computer or hosting service.''' Download and install Joomla. [[J4.x:Installing_Joomla/en|Read More...]]
+<!--T:81-->
-</translate>
+* '''On a Hosting Service.''' Almost all will provide the necessary environment. However, the cheapest may have over-restrictive php.ini settings so it is best to check the recommended settings in the Installing Joomla tutorial with what a proposed hosting service provides.</translate>
 <translate>
-===Alternatives=== <!--T:41-->
+===An Installed Copy of Joomla!=== <!--T:36-->
 </translate>
-<translate><!--T:42-->
-* '''Use a Demo Installation'''. Many hosting services or script installer sites offer 'demo' versions of a Joomla! installation. You will at least be able to make changes, but they will not be permanent. 'Demo installations' are reset back to a 'fresh' installation state at regular intervals.</translate>
-<translate><!--T:43-->
-* '''One-click Installation'''. Many hosting services offer a one-click installation of popular web site programs.</translate>
 <translate>
+<!--T:82-->
-== Getting Started == <!--T:44-->
+This is described in more details in the Installing Joomla! tutorial.</translate>
-</translate>
 <translate>
+<!--T:83-->
-===What to Expect=== <!--T:45-->
+* '''Download''' the latest version of Joomla to your local computer from the [https://www.joomla.org Joomla] site. </translate>
-</translate>
-<translate><!--T:46-->
-Joomla! is introduced using detailed 'hands-on' instructions about adding, altering and manipulating content. At the same time, general points about Joomla! are made which are intended to help people to learn and do more. As the tasks require more background knowledge, so there are fewer hands-on instructions and more general pointers to the extensive documentation available for Joomla!</translate>
 <translate>
+<!--T:84-->
-===Topics=== <!--T:47-->
+* '''Move or copy''' it to the root of your web site, uncompress it and give the folder a short name. </translate>
-</translate>
-<translate><!--T:48-->
-The series is divided into multiple parts. Each topic will build upon the previous one. Alternatively, you can go right to the part containing the information sought.</translate>
 <translate>
+<!--T:85-->
-===Remember=== <!--T:49-->
+* '''Install''' Joomla!.
 </translate>
-<translate><!--T:50-->
-As you move from one Tutorial topic to the next, you can always refer to the [[glossary/en|Glossary]] if you forget the meaning of common terms.</translate>
 <translate>
+<!--T:73-->
-== Topics == <!--T:51-->
+**Installing with Sample Data allows you to to explore a Joomla! site before you have created one for your own content. </translate>
-</translate>
-<translate><!--T:52-->
-These topics should be considered the key building blocks of a Joomla! web site. They will give you a foundation upon which to build.</translate>
 <translate>
-===[[Article/en|Articles]]=== <!--T:57-->
+====Alternatives==== <!--T:41-->
 </translate>
-<translate><!--T:58-->
+<translate><!--T:42-->
-Articles are the core content of any Joomla! powered web site. Everyone needs to know the basics of how to edit and create them. This tutorial will help you to understand the inner workings of Joomla! articles and their integration into a web page.</translate>
+* '''Use a Demo Installation'''. Many hosting services or script installer sites offer 'demo' versions of a Joomla! installation. You will at least be able to make changes, but they will not be permanent. 'Demo installations' are reset back to a 'fresh' installation state at regular intervals.</translate>
+<translate><!--T:43-->
+* '''One-click Installation'''. Many hosting services offer a one-click installation of popular web site programs.</translate>
 <translate>
+<!--T:86-->
-===[[Category/en|Categories]]=== <!--T:55-->
+Alternatives are likely to come with their own problems and are probably best avoided!</translate>
-</translate>
-<translate><!--T:56-->
-Every part of Joomla! powered web site or any CMS type of web site needs a method to display and store its content logically. The usual method is by categories and subcategories.  Joomla! allows for multiple ways to display and use content controlled by categorisation. This part of the Tutorial will introduce you to the uses of Joomla! categories.</translate>
 <translate>
-===[[Menu/en|Menus]]=== <!--T:59-->
+=== Upgrading an Existing Site === <!--T:87--></translate>
-</translate>
-<translate><!--T:60-->
-Every web site has some type of navigation system, or menu. They can vary in style from web site to web site, but they all perform the same function. The menu tutorial will explain how menus control content.</translate>
 <translate>
+<!--T:88-->
+If you have inherited an existing site you may need to follow the [[J4.x:Updating_from_an_existing_version|Upgrading from an Existing Version]] tutorial.</translate>
-===[[Module/en|Modules]]=== <!--T:61-->
-</translate>
-<translate><!--T:62-->
-As you have already learned, Extensions and Core Extensions are like a Computer Application (e.g. Word, Excel, Photoshop, Screensaver, File search). Modules are lightweight Joomla! extensions. A module's display is controlled by the ''Template'' and ''Menu'' Core Extensions. They are usually used to display information boxes alongside, above or below Articles. Common examples include a ''Login'' form and a ''Site Search'' form.</translate>
 <translate>
-===[[Template/en|Templates]]=== <!--T:53-->
+== Getting Started Tutorials == <!--T:44-->
 </translate>
-<translate><!--T:54-->
-Templates control how a Joomla! powered web site appears for users, notably the colour scheme and general layout of the pages' Articles, Modules and Menus. It is possible to have more than one template so that some pages can take on a different appearance..</translate>
 <translate>
+<!--T:89-->
-==Summary== <!--T:63-->
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Hosting_Setup|Hosting Setup]]
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Installing_Joomla|Installing Joomla]]
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Logging_in_to_Joomla|Logging in to Joomla]]
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Articles_and_categories|Articles and Categories]]
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Getting_Started:_Adding_an_Article|Adding an Article]]
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Getting_Started:_Adding_a_Category|Adding a Category]]
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Getting_Started:_Adding_a_Menu_Item|Adding a Menu Item]]
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Getting_Started:_Adding_a_Module|Adding a Module]]
+* [[S:MyLanguage/J4.x:Getting_Started:_Site_and_Administrator_templates|Site and Administrator Templates]]
 </translate>
-<translate><!--T:64-->
-After you complete all Tutorial Topics, you should be able to create a simple website.</translate>
 <translate>
 ===Summing it all up=== <!--T:65-->
 </translate>
-<translate><!--T:66-->
+<translate><!--T:68-->
-*Templates control the look of a Joomla! web site.</translate>
+*Articles are the main type of web site content.</translate>
 <translate><!--T:67-->
 *Categories create an organisational hierarchy to control web site content.</translate>
-<translate><!--T:68-->
-*Articles are the main type of web site content.</translate>
 <translate><!--T:69-->
 *Menus provide a navigational method to use or browse the web site content (pages).</translate>
 <translate><!--T:70-->
 *Modules provide a means to combine web site content (Articles) with other information.</translate>
+<translate><!--T:66-->
+*Templates control the look of a Joomla! web site.</translate>
 {{-}}
@@ Line 187: / Line 154: @@
 [[Category:Beginners{{#translation:}}]]
 [[Category:Joomla!_4.x{{#translation:}}]]
+[[Category:Joomla!_5.x{{#translation:}}]]
 </noinclude>

J4.x