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What Does a Drupal Developer Do?

The PHP programming language drives the Drupal platform. So working knowledge of how PHP works are required. Fortunately, if you have been writing code for any web-based front-end development tools, you would be able to pick up the PHP programming concepts in no time.

In addition, Drupal is also based on the LAMP (Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP) technology stack, which is one of the most widely adopted stacks worldwide. As a result, any developer familiar with MySQL and PHP would be able to work with Drupal infrastructure and start implementing the Drupal platform in no time.

As a Drupal developer, you will find your job responsibilities split between the needs in building out the front-end and back-end features for your client's needs. So let's start with looking at the day in the life of a Drupal developer.

Front-end/UI Responsibilities

• Work on Drupal HTML-based templates
• Work on laying out new themes or customizing existing themes as per client requirements
• Develop responsive layouts of new web pages

Backend Responsibilities

• Installing and configuring Drupal Modules
• Setting up new databases with the Drupal environment and configuring them with frameworks like Symfony to consume various services and APIs.
• Troubleshooting and tweaking performance and security issues

What Skills Do I Need To Become a Drupal Developer?

Thanks to its open-source origins, Drupal boasts of a very well-knit community online. As a result, you will find the Drupal website hosting an immensely helpful content repository. On their Youtube channel, you will also witness the Drupal developer association providing extensive coverage of training and the latest developments in the Drupal ecosystem.

If you are starting on Drupal and feel lost for guidance, the Drupal community should be able to help you find the right mentors and connections to keep you engaged. In addition, Drupal has a community registration, which opens up possibilities to engage in online and in-person events, including conferences that attract Drupal developers from around the world.

The primary skills you would need to pick up to become a Drupal developer are listed below, in no particular order.

• Proficiency in HTML/CSS/Javascript
• Proficiency in PHP with knowledge of at least one PHP framework (like Symfony)
• Working knowledge about content management systems
• Working knowledge of how databases and APIs work
• Understanding how themes and responsive layouts work

The following overall technology skills also come in handy in your ability to attract the right clients and stand out as an experienced developer.

• Being able to adhere to unit tests and integration tests
• Understanding how versioning works, especially git-based
• Understanding how web standards work

What Are the Core Drupal Developer Responsibilities?

Depending on the client’s requirement, a work description for a Drupal developer requirement could vary. However, regardless of the level of customization your client might want, the following responsibilities might always find a place in a Drupal developer description.

• Developing new CMS functionality and customizing existing themes
• Troubleshoot security and performance issues
• Handle and customize responsive design layouts
• Work with designers and backend engineers to integrate and implement new system functionality
• Proficient in PHP, Javascript, HTML, CSS

Should I Get a Drupal Degree or Certification?

Although a Drupal certification is not mandatory, it is helpful to make your Upwork profile look distinguished from all the other developers well versed in Drupal. Acquia provides an extensive list of certifications depending on your role in the Drupal ecosystem, like the Acquia Certified Developer certification for Drupal 9. If you pursue and achieve such a certificate, this investment will reap dividends and help you stand out in your ability to attract more clients.