What is the purpose of a CMS, really?

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Hey FFC community,
I’m studying for front end development (maybe full stack down the line) and I occasionally see mention of CMS tools like Wordpress. What is purpose of these? Is it basically to speed up development? To reduce boilerplate code? How necessary is it to learn one vs. just learning core HTML, CSS, and JavaScript?
Thanks!

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The purpose of a CMS (Content Management System) is to simplify the process of creating, managing, and publishing digital content on websites or other online platforms. A CMS provides a user-friendly interface that allows individuals or organizations to manage their website’s content without requiring extensive technical knowledge or coding skills.

Here are some key purposes and benefits of using a CMS:

  1. Content creation and editing: A CMS enables users to create, format, and edit content easily, using intuitive tools similar to word processors. It simplifies the process of adding text, images, videos, and other media to web pages.
  2. Content organization and management: CMS platforms typically offer features for organizing and categorizing content, making it easier to navigate and search within the website. Content can be structured into sections, categories, tags, or any other taxonomy system provided by the CMS.
  3. User roles and permissions: CMS systems allow administrators to define user roles and assign specific permissions to control who can create, edit, publish, or delete content. This ensures proper access control and facilitates collaborative content creation within teams.
  4. Workflow management: Many CMS platforms support workflow management, allowing multiple users to collaborate on content creation and editing. Workflow features can include content approval processes, version control, and content scheduling for future publication.
  5. Design and layout control: CMS platforms often separate content from design elements, enabling users to choose from pre-designed templates or themes. This allows non-technical users to have control over the visual appearance and layout of their websites without needing to code.
  6. Scalability and extensibility: CMS systems are designed to handle websites of varying sizes, from small personal blogs to large enterprise websites. They can scale to accommodate growing content needs and can often be extended with plugins, modules, or add-ons to add additional functionality.
  7. SEO optimization: Many CMS platforms provide built-in tools or plugins to assist with search engine optimization (SEO). These features help optimize content for better visibility in search engine rankings, improving the website’s chances of being discovered by users.
  8. Maintenance and updates: CMS platforms often include features for managing updates, security patches, and maintenance tasks. These features streamline the process of keeping the website software up to date, ensuring security and performance improvements.

Overall, the purpose of a CMS is to empower users to manage their website’s content efficiently, streamline collaboration, and reduce reliance on technical expertise. By providing an intuitive interface and essential features, CMS platforms enable individuals and organizations to focus on creating and delivering engaging content to their audiences.

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CMS is a good choice for people who don’t have coding knowledge and skills but need to create a website. WordPress is very popular, and there i no surprise as it offers all the needed options for an ordinary person to start an online business.

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