Joomla

Joomla is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) that lets you build and maintain websites without writing code from scratch. Written in PHP and backed by a database, Joomla is one of the most popular CMS platforms in the world, sitting in terms of functionality between the simpler WordPress and the more complex Drupal.

How Joomla works

Joomla separates content from its presentation: data is stored in a database, and templates define the look. An administration panel lets you manage the entire site from the browser. The architecture is built on three types of extensions:

• components — the main functional modules, such as the article system or a shop;
• modules — smaller blocks of content placed within the page layout, such as a menu;
• plugins — extensions running in the background, reacting to system events.

Joomla stands out for its elaborate user and permission management and built-in multilingual support, which makes it attractive for larger, multilingual sites.

Practical applications

Joomla works well for company websites, community portals, sites with an elaborate content structure and services requiring advanced user access control. To run, it needs hosting with PHP and database support, so before installing it is worth making sure the chosen server meets the technical requirements of the current system version. Joomla's ecosystem is enriched by numerous third-party extensions that let you add shop, form, gallery or booking features without coding them yourself. As with any popular CMS, security depends on discipline: regular core and extension updates, strong passwords and backups are essential to reduce the risk of a breach. Installation can be done manually or with a single click through the auto-installer available in the hosting panel, which greatly shortens the time to launch a ready site.