News
Be prepared for drupal 9. already update from drupal 7 to 8.
At Hannibal we create websites and web shops in Drupal. This is a deliberate choice of our developers. Drupal has the great advantage of being an open source CMS system. It is maintained and extended by a community. Thanks to Drupal, we can easily create additional modules, perfectly tailored to our customers. But which version do you currently have at your disposal? Was it 7, 8 or 9?
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRUPAL 7,8 AND 9?
Drupal 7, 8 and 9 are versions of the Drupal CMS system. Each version has several smaller releases (e.g. 7.67, the most recent Drupal 7 version). These mini updates must be performed at regular intervals to ensure a secure website. We recommend installing any major security updates to keep your site safe. An unsafe site runs the risk of being hacked and sending out spam, potentially resulting in reputational damage.
NEW SITE? GO FOR DRUPAL 8
Drupal 7 is now the oldest still supported version of the Drupal CMS. This means that you are no longer 100% safe with Drupal 6. And because Drupal 9 will not be released until 2020, Drupal 8 is currently the best choice for creating a new site.
The sites that currently run on Drupal 7 will still be supported until November 2021, the same date as the end of life of Drupal 8. The reason for this is that an update from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8 actually requires the programming of a complete new drupal website meant.
DRUPAL 7 VS DRUPAL 8
Drupal 8 offers several advantages over Drupal 7. What to remember:
- Drupal 8 uses the Symfony PHP framework. In addition to the fact that your CMS system is much better protected, Symfony also makes it easier to implement updates.
- Where Drupal 7 still mainly works in PHP 5, Drupal 8 requires PHP 7. PHP 7 offers extra security and performance as major advantages.
SMOOTHER UPDATING
Does this mean that - every time a new major Drupal version is released - a new website has to be created? The answer is – fortunately – no. Once your site is running on Drupal 8, you will be able to update to Drupal 9 without having to completely reprogram the site. An update from Drupal 8 to 9 will therefore take the same amount of effort as an update from Drupal 8.7.7 to 8.7.8. The only thing left to check is whether all modules are ready for Drupal 9.
For Drupal 6 and 7 sites, your site must be reprogrammed. So if you want to thoroughly modify your current Drupal 7 site, it may be worthwhile to immediately switch to Drupal 8. Anyone who makes this investment will receive a more extensive CMS that works better and more flexibility to adapt the site to the way you want.
Curious about what new features there are in Drupal 8 and Drupal 9? Be sure to contact Johan at johan@hannibal.be. He will tell you all about it.