Drupalcon advanced theming techniques

• views 2 takes advantage of themes, you can choose what theme to use.

Anatomy of a theme

1. info
2. template override
3. function override
4. theme at module level

.info file

1. add stylesheets - css
2. add regions to theme
3. provide default settings
4. include javascripts - jquery libs add-ons

template overrides

1. .tpl files containg html markup
2. useful for subtheming

function overrides

1. make decisions where logic is needed
2. better for performance - 5 times more efficient than template files

theming at the module level

1. needed for theming new functionality

overriding preprocessing functions

• preprocess functions better than template files
• preprocess funnctions arent hooks!
  • sepatrate logic from appearance
  • less msintenance

1. copy and paste from include into template.php, and change name

• have look in theme registry or test with function_exists(), has it been overridden already?
  • if module overrode theme you need to know anytime your theme's overrided, call theme_links or the custom... avoid dependencies on module... prehaps on multi site

subtheming

• take theme closer to final code without writing a line a of code
• use zen as base without having to merge changes
• separate out logic and appearance of theme
  • create design1 appearance theme
  • have nothing but the css
  • create another subtheme called logic that deals with specific modules, client

theming forms

• clear the cache!!
• forms are special case
• target a specific form?
• this form? use this template, this function

1. modify individual form elements

• take form object that the form api creates and intercept it
• Theming the User Registration Form in Drupal 6