Are you an Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) developer looking to create a new page that inherits properties and functionality from a generic page template? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the process of creating a page that inherits a generic page in AEM, covering all the essential concepts and steps involved.
Introduction
In the world of AEM, page templates play a crucial role in defining the structure, layout, and functionality of your website’s pages. A generic page template serves as a base template that can be extended and customized to create more specific page types. By inheriting from a generic page template, you can leverage its existing features while adding your own custom components and configurations.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the concept of page templates and inheritance in AEM.
- Learn how to create a new page component and configure it to inherit from a generic page template.
- Explore techniques for customizing the inherited page, including adding or modifying components, layouts, and styles.
- Discover best practices for managing and maintaining inherited page templates.
Understanding Page Templates and Inheritance
Before diving into the specifics of creating an inherited page, it’s essential to understand the concept of page templates and inheritance in AEM. A page template defines the structure, layout, and components that make up a page. It acts as a blueprint for creating new pages, ensuring consistency and reusability across your website.
Inheritance in AEM allows you to create a new page component that inherits properties and functionality from an existing page template. This inheritance model enables you to build upon the foundation provided by the generic page template while introducing your own customizations and enhancements.
Creating a New Page Component
The first step in creating a page that inherits a generic page template is to create a new page component. This component will serve as the foundation for your custom page type and will inherit from the generic page template.
To create a new page component, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the appropriate location in your AEM project where you want to create the new component.
- Create a new folder for your component, following the recommended naming conventions.
- Inside the component folder, create the necessary files and directories, such as the component’s JSP or HTML file, CSS file, and any other required resources.
- Configure the component’s properties and settings, including the inheritance from the generic page template.
Configuring Inheritance
Once you have created the new page component, you need to configure it to inherit from the generic page template. This process typically involves modifying the component’s properties or configuration files.
In AEM, you can configure inheritance by specifying the path to the generic page template in the component’s configuration. This can be done through various methods, such as modifying the component’s XML or Java configuration files, or using AEM’s user interface for component configuration.
Customizing the Inherited Page
After configuring the inheritance, you can start customizing the inherited page to meet your specific requirements. This can involve adding or modifying components, layouts, styles, and other aspects of the page.
Some common customizations include:
- Adding or removing components from the page template
- Modifying the layout and positioning of components
- Overriding or extending the styles and CSS rules
- Introducing new functionality or behavior through client-side or server-side code
It’s important to note that while customizing the inherited page, you should follow best practices and maintain a clear separation between the inherited components and your custom modifications. This will make it easier to manage and maintain your customizations in the future.
Managing and Maintaining Inherited Page Templates
As your website grows and evolves, it’s essential to have a solid strategy for managing and maintaining inherited page templates. This includes keeping track of changes made to the generic page template and ensuring that your inherited pages remain compatible with those changes.
Some best practices for managing and maintaining inherited page templates include:
- Versioning and tracking changes to the generic page template
- Testing inherited pages after updates to the generic page template
- Documenting customizations and overrides made to the inherited pages
- Implementing a governance process for reviewing and approving changes to inherited page templates
Conclusion
Creating a page that inherits a generic page template in AEM is a powerful technique that allows you to leverage existing functionality while introducing your own customizations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a new page component, configure it to inherit from a generic page template, and customize it to meet your specific requirements.
Remember, inheritance in AEM is a powerful tool, but it should be used judiciously and with a clear understanding of its implications. Proper management and maintenance of inherited page templates are crucial for ensuring the long-term success and scalability of your AEM implementation.
If you’re ready to take your AEM development skills to the next level, start exploring the process of creating inherited pages today. Don’t hesitate to consult the official AEM documentation, seek guidance from experienced AEM developers, and continuously learn and improve your understanding of this powerful content management system.
