Drupal or Zend Framework?

[Lauxa]

I posted a couple of days ago... I want to upgrade my flashcards website to include social networking features, and am wondering the best way to go about it. Here is the current website:

Moone Leaf Flashcards: Picture Index

I have a couple of options I am considering. I bought a book off Amazon yesterday, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Web-2-0-Applications-PHP/dp/1590599063/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204553047&sr= 8-1">Practical Web 2.0 Applications with PHP</a>, which focuses on developing Web 2.0 applications with the Zend Framework and Smarty Templates. I have been using Zend for PHP programming, but not the Framework yet, and this book is supposedly a good intro to the Zend Framework.

I also found a thread on this board suggesting that Drupal can be used to build social networking portals. I found that the Gallery (picture display) module is *sort of* integrated into Drupal, and maybe there is an audio module as well. Perhaps it would be possible to write a "flashcard module" for Drupal that would work together with the image and audio modules. The advantage to using Drupal would be not having to write the user administration pieces of the webapp.

I am also wondering... since Drupal is GPL, would I be required to distribute the source code of any modifications I make? I know I would be required to do this if I distribute the program, but what if it is just running on my web server?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[gale44]

I have just started exploring the world of drupal too. Actually exploring isn't right, I do have a sight up, that I have started to add content too, but I still haven't figured out the theming thing yet. Drupal has modules for just about everything. I loaded V6, but a lot of the modules aren't upgraded from 5 yet.

To the best of my understanding, you can make any modules that you want for your own installation, and you don't have to do anything about it. They just seem to stress that you build modules and don't hack the core code. Otherwise you lose the upgrade path.

If you can't find a module that does what you want, you can make your own, and if you want to share it they would be happy for the contribution.

They have a zend framework module also.

[prasunsen]

I am not quite sure how you compare Drupal and Zend? One is a CMS, the other is a development framework.
As for Drupal, think twice. Modifying it's code can be quite painful. Changing hosts can be a nightmare. I had a site using Drupal and after trying to do some changes figured out it's less costly to have my custom CMS.

[schola]

Have you considered Joomla?

[tobyhede]

Drupal and Zend are very different.

I haven't used Drupal in years, but it tends to be pretty tricky to customise. If want you want is more or less out-of-the-box behaviour, then Drupal is great.

Also: stay clear of Smarty. It's pointless. PHP is already a templating system,. so using a templating system built with a template system is crazy. A decent MVC framework is all you need.

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by Lauxa

I am also wondering... since Drupal is GPL, would I be required to distribute the source code of any modifications I make? I know I would be required to do this if I distribute the program, but what if it is just running on my web server?

Some relevant bits about the GPL:
-You have to give anyone you destribute the program to the source code if your program uses any GPL code. If you don't destribute it, you don't have to give away source code. So no.
-With the GPL you can also remove all of the GPL code from your program and do whatever you want with your own code. (ex. you could write a program using GPLed libs, open source it, use your own source code from the app to write a different program, and keep that one closed source)

...If I understand the GPL correctly.

[prasunsen]

Originally Posted by tobyhede

Also: stay clear of Smarty. It's pointless. PHP is already a templating system,. so using a templating system built with a template system is crazy. A decent MVC framework is all you need.

Three thumbs up about this. And more on the topic - Positron Ideas Manufacturing » Stop Using PHP Template Engines Once And For All (Why Smarty Is Evil)

[tobyhede]

Under the GPL (version 2) you do not have to release source if your changes are hosted on a website. This is not currently considered distribution. GPL 3 looks set to change this.

-With the GPL you can also remove all of the GPL code from your program and do whatever you want with your own code. (ex. you could write a program using GPLed libs, open source it, use your own source code from the app to write a different program, and keep that one closed source)

This is true. You still own copyright on any changes you make. But if you release those changes under the GPL you can't revoke that code. You can do what you like with code that is yours.

For example: MySQL actually distributes under a dual-license. GPL for non-commercial use and a commercial license for everyone else. As MySQL (the company) owns the copyright they can set the terms of the code distribution.

[saif]

Originally Posted by prasunsen

As for Drupal, think twice. Modifying it's code can be quite painful. Changing hosts can be a nightmare. I had a site using Drupal and after trying to do some changes figured out it's less costly to have my custom CMS.

You shouldn't modify the core because that would make the system proprietary, instead develop modules which extend the functionality of the core and then people can develop your modules even further and be used by the community.

I personally never experienced any problems moding Drupal, it's just about reading the right material and having knowledge of the technologies the system uses and how the system functions.

[CeciL]

CMS, blah