At least some php is required.
You will need to learn how to create a basic page.tpl.php file, and you may need to write a few functions in a file named template.php for anything you do that is non-standard.
Otherwise, Views [and possibly Panels] are your friend. Within views you may need to "theme" it, using yet more php files, so that you can eventually use CSS to style your website.
If you can modify a theme by just changing the related CSS, then this is the route to take if you want to avoid PHP. However, many themes are extremely painful to theme in this manner, and Zen is no exception [imho].
As illogical as it may seem, building a theme from scratch is, for me at least, the easiest and most logical and straight forward. And this is coming from someone who learned PHP by learning Drupal.
My suggestion would be to check out two things:
1. Check out how other themes are built, and look at the files in the theme folder... does any of it make sense? does it look complicated to you?
2. Look for a video tutorial on "how to make a theme". There are free ones out there, what got me to a strong start was this video:
http://mustardseedmedia.com/podcast/episode24
This video was unquestionably what launched me in full-force towards becoming a highly proficient drupal themer. So you can't go wrong starting with this video [and then afterwards, watch all the other videos they have to offer, lots of interesting stuff there - though I am sure some of it may be getting dated]
Good luck,
Jared Stoneberg wrote:
As a front end developer who did not know *any* PHP but now works as a Drupal themer I recommend you make the effort to learn some PHP.
I recommend the Lullabot theming videos: http://store.lullabot.com/products/theming-basics-advanced-bundle well worth the time and money.
Good luck,
Jared
On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 8:55 PM, saksiri.kridakara@yahoo.com mailto:saksiri.kridakara@yahoo.com <saksiri.kridakara@yahoo.com mailto:saksiri.kridakara@yahoo.com> wrote:
How much php knowledge is required to develop / customize drupal themes efficiently? Do I need to read a whole book or is there some basic documentation of the essential php used for drupal theming? Any resources would be greatly appreciated! Saki _______________________________________________ themes mailing list themes@drupal.org <mailto:themes@drupal.org> http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/themes
themes mailing list themes@drupal.org http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/themes