Introduction
Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a powerful web content management system that allows users to create, manage, and publish digital content. AEM components are an essential part of building websites using AEM. They offer a range of functionality and can be highly customized to fit specific needs. Understanding the different types of AEM components and how to use them is crucial for building effective and efficient websites.
AEM Components Types
AEM components can be classified into three types: basic components, standard components, and custom components. Each type of component offers different functionality and customization options.
Basic Components
Basic components, also known as foundation components, are the building blocks of AEM pages. They are simple and easy to use but have limited functionality. Basic components include:
- Text component: The text component allows users to add text to a page. Users can customize the font size, color, and alignment of the text.
- Image component: The image component allows users to add images to a page. Users can customize the image size, alignment, and alt text.
- List component: The list component allows users to add lists to a page. Users can customize the list type and list items.
Standard Components
Standard components are pre-built components that come with AEM. They offer more functionality than basic components and can be customized to fit specific needs. Standard components include:
- Text components: In addition to the basic text component, AEM also includes other text components such as the Rich Text Editor (RTE) component and the Title component.
- Image components: In addition to the basic image component, AEM also includes other image components such as the Image Gallery component and the Teaser component.
- List components: In addition to the basic list component, AEM also includes other list components such as the Table component and the Download component.
- Navigation components: The navigation components allow users to create navigation menus for their website.
Custom Components
Custom components are components that are built specifically for a project or website. They are built using AEM’s component development tools and can be highly customized. Custom components can be divided into three categories:
- Component development: This is the process of building custom components in AEM. It involves using AEM’s component development tools such as the Component Library and the Touch UI.
- Component configuration: This is the process of configuring AEM components to fit specific needs. Configuration can be done using AEM’s Component Properties dialog box.
- Component usage: This is the process of using AEM components on pages. Components can be added to pages using AEM’s drag and drop interface.
Component Development
Component development involves using AEM’s component development tools to build custom components. These tools include the Component Library and the Touch UI.
The Component Library is a tool that allows developers to create, modify, and delete components. It provides a visual interface for managing components and their properties. The Touch UI is a tool that allows developers to create and edit components using a drag-and-drop interface.
Component Configuration
Component configuration involves customizing AEM components to fit specific needs. Configuration can be done using AEM’s Component Properties dialog box.
The Component Properties dialog box allows users to configure various properties of a component, such as its height, width, and layout. Users can also add custom properties to a component using the dialog box.
Component Usage
After creating and customizing AEM components using the component development and configuration tools, the next step is to add them to web pages using AEM’s drag-and-drop interface. This process is known as component usage.
To effectively use AEM components on web pages, users should follow these steps:
- Select the page where the component will be added: Before adding a component, users should select the page where it will be added. This can be done by navigating to the desired page and opening it in AEM’s page editor.
- Open the component library: Once the desired page is open in the page editor, users should open the component library. The component library provides access to all available AEM components, including basic, standard, and custom components.
- Select the desired component: After opening the component library, users should select the desired component that they want to add to the page. Components can be selected by clicking and dragging them from the library onto the desired location on the page.
- Configure the component’s properties: Once the component has been added to the page, users can configure its properties using the Component Properties dialog box. This dialog box allows users to adjust various attributes such as height, width, and layout to ensure that the component fits seamlessly with the rest of the page’s content.
- Save and publish the page: After configuring the component’s properties, users should save the changes made to the page and publish it. This ensures that the component is visible to website visitors and functions as intended.
By following these steps, users can effectively use AEM components to create engaging and visually appealing web pages. The drag-and-drop interface and customizable properties make it easy for users to add and manage components, allowing them to focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with their audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AEM components arean essential part of building websites using Adobe Experience Manager. There are three types of AEM components: basic components, standard components, and custom components. Basic components are the building blocks of AEM pages and offer limited functionality. Standard components come with AEM and offer more functionality than basic components. Custom components are highly customizable and can be built using AEM’s component development tools. Understanding the different types of AEM components and how to use them is crucial for building effective and efficient websites.
Component development involves using AEM’s component development tools such as the Component Library and the Touch UI. Component configuration involves customizing AEM components to fit specific needs, while component usage involves adding AEM components to pages using AEM’s drag and drop interface. The important attributes and values of AEM components vary depending on the type of component, but they include font size, image size, list type, and more.
In summary, AEM components are an essential tool for building websites that are functional and engaging. With the right knowledge and tools, developers can create custom components that are tailored to their specific needs. By using AEM’s drag-and-drop interface and customizing component properties, users can easily create and manage web pages that look great and function as intended.
