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When working with large websites and web-applications the number of files on your theme folder can grow quickly, and if you're not organized it can get very messy . As a result you’ll find yourself spending a lot more time looking for bits of code every time you have to change or update something.

Here are some tips to help keep you organized.

File Structure:

On Drupal a couple of files have to be on your theme rood folder:

• - page.tpl.php
• - node.tpl.php
• - template.php
• - themename.info
• - comment.tpl.php

If your file doesn't have to be on the theme root folder, it should be organized with similar files on subfolders. Here is what we typically use:

• - css (folder)
• - js (folder)
• - flash (folder)
• - images (folder)
• - templates (folder)
• - views (folder)

Naming Conventions:

When naming your TPLs alway be very descriptive and try to group files that theme similar items together. For example, all forms should be form_nameoftheform.tpl.php and all blocks should be block_nameoftheblock.tpl.php

Similar convention can be used for images. icon_nameoftheicon.gif, background_areawhereyouuseit.jpg, header_nameoftheheader.png etc.

Note that I always use the underscore ( _ ) instead of a dash ( - ) on my filenames. Whichever you choose to use just keep it consistent.

CSS :

It is probably a good idea to have multiple style sheets divided according to each section of the site they belong. This will not only help keep you organized, but it will increase the speed on the page load. Eg: you don’t have to load the user profile css on every page if you wont be using it.

page.tpl :

If you have to add javascript or CSS to every page on your site, you should do it on the Info file

If you see yourself writing a long code to something specific like a navigation, or a footer, you should have that code on a separate template file.

These were some very simple things any themer, beginner or advanced, can do to help save a lot of time in the long run.

Do you have your own style of staying organized? Share some tips with us!

Have a happy theming!

Erico Nascimento