Creating custom content nodes in Drupal using the Content Construction Kit (CCK) is a powerful way to extend the functionality of your website. In this tutorial, we will walk through the process of setting up CCK and creating custom content types.

Prerequisites:

Step 1: Install and Enable CCK Module

  1. Log in to your Drupal admin panel.

  2. Go to "Modules" under "Administer."

  3. Scroll down and find the "Content" section.

  4. Check the box next to "Content" and click the "Save configuration" button to enable the CCK module.

Step 2: Create a Custom Content Type

  1. In the admin menu, go to "Structure" > "Content types."

  2. Click the "Add content type" link.

  3. Fill in the required information:

    • Name: Enter a unique name for your custom content type (e.g., "Product").
    • Type: A machine-readable name for the content type (e.g., "product").

  4. Click the "Save and manage fields" button.

Step 3: Add Fields to Your Content Type

  1. In the "Manage fields" tab for your content type, click the "Add field" button.

  2. Choose the field type you want to add (e.g., "Text," "Image," "Date," etc.).

  3. Configure the field settings according to your needs. For example, if you're adding a "Price" field, you might specify it as a decimal number field.

  4. Click the "Save" button.

  5. Continue adding fields as needed for your content type.

Step 4: Configure Display Settings

  1. After adding fields, go to the "Manage display" tab for your content type.

  2. Arrange the fields in the desired order by dragging and dropping them.

  3. Configure the display settings for each field (e.g., label placement, formatting, and more).

  4. Click the "Save" button.

Step 5: Create and Edit Content Nodes

  1. To create a new content node of your custom type, go to "Content" > "Add content" in the admin menu.

  2. Select your custom content type (e.g., "Product").

  3. Fill in the fields you created in earlier steps with relevant information.

  4. Click the "Save" button to create the node.

  5. To edit an existing content node, go to "Content" > "Edit" and select the node you want to edit.

Step 6: Manage Content Types

  1. To manage existing content types or create additional custom content types, go to "Structure" > "Content types."

  2. Click the "edit" link next to a content type to modify its settings or fields.

Step 7: Customize Permissions

  1. Go to "People" > "Permissions" in the admin menu.

  2. Configure permissions to control who can create, edit, and view content of your custom type.

Step 8: Test Your Custom Content Type

Visit your site's front end to test the display of your custom content nodes. Ensure that the content appears as you intended based on the fields and display settings you configured.

By following these steps, you can create custom content types in Drupal using the CCK module. This allows you to structure and display content on your website in a way that best suits your specific needs.