Content Management
Content Management refers to the processes, technologies, and practices used to collect, manage, and publish information in any medium or format. In the context of software engineering, it commonly refers to Content Management Systems (CMS), which enable users to create and modify digital content without advanced technical knowledge.
The Evolution: From Static to Headless
The way we manage content has evolved significantly alongside the web:
- Static HTML: The earliest web content was hard-coded in HTML files. Updates required a developer to edit code.
- Dynamic CMS (Monolithic): Systems like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla combined the content database and the presentation layer (frontend) into a single application.
- Decoupled CMS: Separated the backend administrative interface from the frontend delivery layer, communicating via APIs.
- Headless CMS: Strictly API-first systems (e.g., Contentful, Strapi) that provide content to any destination (Web, Mobile, IoT) without dictating how it is presented.
Capability Stack
A robust Content Management capability involves:
- Content Modeling: Defining the structure of data (Posts, Pages, Products, Custom Types).
- Workflow Management: Handling drafting, approval chains, and versioning.
- Asset Management (DAM): Storing and organizing images, videos, and documents.
- Presentation Integration: Rendering content via themes (traditional) or APIs (headless).