Introduction

 ·      Introduct for Developers

   What you should learn before developing magento.
         
    Magento is a Zend Framework (v1) application. Learning ZF  will help you getting Magento quickly. Dedicate                                   some days to learn at http://framework.zend.com/
      
    Understand OOP  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object-oriented_programming  first . Once you are done, study   and understand Eventdriven programming  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event-driven_programming.
        
   Understand Model View Controller architectural pattern principles ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model–view–          controller ), and RESPECT it when developing Magento.

   You might need some help during setup, follow the official  installation guide at http://www.magentocommerce.com/knowledge-base/entry/magento-installation-guide

• After the installation, you MUST understand EVERY SINGLE parameter under “system>configuration”. It’s the key to avoid developing again something that comes out-of-the-box. 

• Magento directory structure:

• “app” directory is your main focus
• “js” and “skin” will also be important developing frontend
• “media” will host all the catalog pictures
• “var” is where all the temporary content will be
• Don’t mess too much with the rest…

Create your own Namespace in “app/code/local” .  Every module you develop will be placed there.

Create also your own design package in “app/design/frontend”

Create new layouts and use them in any CMS page


·       XML Examples:

When referencing XML the ellipses, ..., are used to suggest that other, optional, or  pre-existing XML tags are present. Given the XML structure below:

<config>

<modules>

<Company_RewardPoints>

<version>0.1.0</version>

<depends>

<Mage_Customer />

<Mage_Checkout />

</depends>

</Company_RewardPoints>

</modules>

<global>

<resources>

<rewardpoints_setup>

<setup>

<module>Company_RewardPoints</module>

<class>Mage_Core_Model_Resource_Setup</class>

</setup>

<connection><use>core_setup</use></connection>

</resources>

</global>

</config>

The section enclosed in the rewardpoints_setup tag may be represented as this:

<config>...
<global>
...
<resources>
<rewardpoints_setup>
<setup>
<module>Company_RewardPoints</module>
<class>Mage_Core_Model_Resource_Setup</class>
</setup>
<connection><use>core_setup</use></connection>
</resources>
...
</global>
...
</config>