Section 2: Request Flow Processing (12%)

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Section 2: Request Flow Processing (12%)

2.1 Utilize modes and application initialization

Identify the steps for application initialization. How would you design a customization that should act on every request and capture output data regardless of the controller?

Describe how to use Magento modes. What are pros and cons of using developer mode/production mode? When do you use default mode? How do you enable/disable maintenance mode?

Describe front controller responsibilities. In which situations will the front controller be involved in execution, and how can it be used in the scope of customizations?

2.2 Demonstrate ability to process URLs in Magento

Describe how Magento processes a given URL. How do you identify which module and controller corresponds to a given URL? What is necessary to create a custom URL structure?

Describe the URL rewrite process and its role in creating user-friendly URLs. How are user-friendly URLs established, and how are they customized?

Describe how action controllers and results function. How do controllers interact with another? How are different response types generated?

2.3 Demonstrate ability to customize request routing

Describe request routing and flow in Magento. When is it necessary to create a new router or to customize existing routers? How do you handle custom 404 pages?

2.4 Determine the layout initialization process

Determine how layout is compiled. How would you debug your layout.xml files and verify that the right layout instructions are used?

Determine how HTML output is rendered. How does Magento flush output, and what mechanisms exist to access and customize output?

Determine module layout XML schema. How do you add new elements to the pages introduced by a given module?

Demonstrate the ability to use layout fallback for customizations and debugging. How do you identify which exact layout.xml file is processed in a given scope? How does Magento treat layout XML files with the same names in different modules?

Identify the differences between admin and frontend scopes. What differences exist for layout initialization for the admin scope?

2.5 Determine the structure of block templates

Identify and understand root templates, empty.xml, and page_layout. How are page structures defined, including number of columns, which basic containers are present, etc.?

Describe the role of blocks and templates in the request flow. In which situations would you create a new block or a new template?