Zikula Application Framework

Zikula is a Web Application Toolkit, which allows you to run impressive websites and build powerful online applications. Zikula has received praise for many things, but we belive the highlights are ease of use, quick and easy development, security and performance and lastly flexibility.

What is a Web Application Toolkit?

A tool kit provides you with a number of different tools to get a job done. Zikula does just that, but for websites and web applications. Depending on which distribution you choose to run, Zikula could manage your blog articles, allow comments on your site, run a forum, downloads section or link directory or even handle static content in any number of languages. For day to day work with Zikula, you won't need any technical knowledge - those of us on the team have set up websites for multi-national organisations, blogs, schools, the Scout Association and even Church groups. All of these people were able to use Zikula effectively for their needs.

Show me some examples!

Well, Zikula has been used for blogs (link), shops (link), portals (link), companies (link), and high-traffic communities (link). But, as we've mentioned previously, you can actually use Zikula for anything - Zikula has also been used as a registration and check-in system at corporate events in the UK.

Site Admins

Zikula has an easy online administration panel for you to manage your site with, and a simple installation/removal system for installing new features. You can build your own system choosing the features you would like on our website, then download and install the package with our easy installer, or alternatively just use one of the pre-built distributions for common websites. You can delegate content control to editors using the inbuilt permissions system, change the look and feel by modifying simple HTML templates and turn on or turn off various features with just a couple of clicks. It really is that simple.

Developers

Our system follows a strict separation of display logic, application logic and database model. Zikula is compatible (through our standard API) with MySQL, PostgreSQL and Oracle, with more systems on the way. We provide a number of APIs based on an object oriented structure, and documentation and example code for those that want to get started quickly. An architecture diagram will follow.

The Zikula Software Foundation

Most big open source projects are now supported by a foundation, and Zikula is no exception. The foundation exists to ensure the longjevity of the project, so you can be certain we'll be around in years to come developing the software (we've already been around for half a decade as it is). The foundation handles money and legal matters, while the Steering Committee runs the project day-to-day.

Where now?

Download the software, read the installation documentation, read the other documentation and if you get stuck try our forums.