Week 3–4: My Journey at Google Summer of Code with Drupal
Introduction
In this article, I will share the highlights of my 3–4 week journey, from setting up the project repository to successfully rendering a “Hello World” message on a separate page.
Throughout the process, I learned valuable lessons, faced challenges, and received guidance from my mentor. Let’s dive into the details!
Project Exploration and Repository Setup
After successfully drawing an HLD diagram for the project, my mentor informed me that we would be building a chatbot module on top of Drupal. This idea instantly sparked my interest, and I was eager to get started. I set up the project repository on GitHub, which can be found at Drupal-Chatbot.
Setting Up Drupal Locally
To begin my journey, I needed to set up Drupal on my local system.
- This step involved installing and configuring the necessary dependencies.
- I followed the official Drupal documentation to ensure a smooth setup process.
Creating My First Drupal Module
To develop the chatbot module, I had to create a custom Drupal module.
- I found a helpful guide titled “An Absolute Beginner’s Guide: Writing Your First Drupal 9 Module” by Mike Madison.
- This article served as an excellent starting point and provided step-by-step instructions for creating a basic module.
Installation and Routing
With the custom module created, the next step was to install and enable it within Drupal.
- I followed the standard module installation process and encountered a minor hiccup due to file-naming inconsistencies.
- Fortunately, my mentor was readily available and helped me identify and rectify these mistakes.
Overcoming Common Drupal Errors
During the installation process of Drupal’s module, I encountered a common Drupal error message: “The website encountered an unexpected error. Please try again later.”
- It was disheartening at first, but I explored it on different websites and then reached out to my mentor, who guided me through the troubleshooting process.
- Together, we identified the root cause in the meeting and resolved the issue, allowing me to proceed with my work.
Weekly Meetings and Mentor Guidance
To ensure progress and maintain clear communication, my mentor and I scheduled weekly meetings on Sundays.
- These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss my achievements, challenges, and plans for the upcoming week.
- My mentor’s guidance was invaluable, as they shared their expertise and helped steer me in the right direction whenever I faced obstacles.
Rendering “Hello World”
After overcoming the initial hurdles, I focused on rendering a simple “Hello World” message on a separate page within Drupal.
- This step, although seemingly straightforward, required attention to detail. I carefully configured the routing and implemented the necessary rendering logic within my module.
- With perseverance and support from my mentor, I was able to achieve this milestone, which marked a significant accomplishment in my project.
Conclusion
Participating in Google Summer of Code 2023 with Drupal was an enriching experience till now and it has allowed me to delve into the world of chatbot module development.
- From setting up the project repository and local Drupal environment to creating a custom module and overcoming challenges, I learned valuable skills and gained a deeper understanding of Drupal’s capabilities.
- Working closely with my mentor and having weekly meetings ensured that I stayed on track and received guidance when needed.
- Finally, successfully rendering a “Hello World” message on a separate page served as a testament to my progress and dedication. I am excited to continue exploring the vast possibilities of Drupal development.
As I move forward in my Google Summer of Code journey, I am excited to tackle new challenges and contribute further to the Drupal community.
