The Features module allows Drupal configurations like content types, views, and fields to be exported into custom modules called "features". This addresses issues with storing configurations in the variable table or custom data stores. Features exports configurations to code, creates modules for that code, monitors for discrepancies between configurations and code, and provides tools to resolve those discrepancies. Features modules are custom modules that act as "glue code" to satisfy specific use cases.

1. Drupal Deployment
An Introduction to Features Module
JAMES SANSBURY * DO IT WITH DRUPAL 2011

2. The Problem

4. ‣ Content and Configuration are sleeping together

5. ‣ Content and Configuration are sleeping together
‣ No standard for storing configuration

6. ‣ Content and Configuration are sleeping together
‣ No standard for storing configuration
‣ Variable table

7. ‣ Content and Configuration are sleeping together
‣ No standard for storing configuration
‣ Variable table
‣ Custom data store

8. ‣ Content and Configuration are sleeping together
‣ No standard for storing configuration
‣ Variable table
‣ Custom data store
‣ Even [gasp] entities

9. Oh noes!

10. Solutions

11. Solutions
‣ Update hooks

12. Solutions
‣ Update hooks
‣ SQL Queries

13. Solutions
‣ Update hooks
‣ SQL Queries
‣ Patterns (http://drupal.org/project/patterns)

14. Solutions
‣ Update hooks
‣ SQL Queries
‣ Patterns (http://drupal.org/project/patterns)
‣ Exportables

15. Enter the Features Module

16. What is Features Module?

17. What is Features Module?
Features module

18. What is Features Module?
Features module is a module

19. What is Features Module?
Features module is a module that creates modules

20. What is Features Module?
Features module is a module that creates modules
called ‘features’.

21. What is Features Module?
[FAIL
Features module is a module that creates modules
called ‘features’.
]

22. What is Features module?

23. What is Features module?
‣ Exports configuration to code

24. What is Features module?
‣ Exports configuration to code
‣ Creates a module for that code (called a feature)

25. What is Features module?
‣ Exports configuration to code
‣ Creates a module for that code (called a feature)
‣ Monitors discrepancies

26. What is Features module?
‣ Exports configuration to code
‣ Creates a module for that code (called a feature)
‣ Monitors discrepancies
‣ Provides tools to resolve those discrepancies

27. What is a “feature” module?

28. What is a “feature” module?
‣ A module

29. What is a “feature” module?
‣ A module
‣ Glue code

30. What is a “feature” module?
‣ A module
‣ Glue code
‣ Satisfies a specific use case

32. Let’s try it!

33. Step back.

34. Step back.

35. Namespace.

36. Use version control.

37. Be careful.

38. Be careful. Easy can still be powerful.

39. And we all lived happily ever after.

40. Tools to help you along the way
‣ The Kit specification: lb.cm/kit
‣ Drupal.org features: lb.cm/drupal-org-features
‣ Boxes: lb.cm/boxes
‣ Debut: lb.cm/debut
‣ Features Override: lb.cm/features-override
‣ Features Plumber: lb.cm/features-plumber
‣ UUID Features: lb.cm/uuid-features
‣ Features issues: lb.cm/features-issues

41. Questions?