Why is Ctools used in Drupal?

Ctools, short for Chaos Tools Suite, is a collection of helper functions and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for Drupal developers. It provides various tools and utilities to simplify the development process and enhance the functionality of Drupal websites. Here are some reasons why Ctools is commonly used in Drupal:

1. Utilities for Developers: Ctools offers a range of utility functions that make it easier for developers to build complex Drupal modules and applications. These utilities include functions for form handling, menu generation, AJAX integration, and more.
2. Modal Dialogs: One of the most popular features of Ctools is its ability to create modal dialogs (pop-up windows) easily. This allows developers to create interactive elements on their Drupal sites without having to write custom JavaScript code.
3. Page Manager: Ctools includes the Page Manager module, which allows site builders to manage the layout and visibility of pages on their Drupal sites using a user-friendly interface. This is particularly useful for creating custom landing pages, dashboard views, and other dynamic content layouts.
4. Contextual Filters: Ctools provides support for contextual filters, which allow developers to dynamically filter content based on contextual information such as the current URL, user roles, taxonomy terms, and more. This is helpful for creating dynamic and personalized experiences for site visitors.
5. Integration with Other Modules: Ctools is designed to work seamlessly with other popular Drupal modules such as Views, Panels, and Rules. This integration allows developers to leverage the functionality of these modules more effectively and build more powerful and flexible Drupal sites.

In summary, Ctools is used in Drupal because it simplifies development tasks, enhances site functionality, and facilitates integration with other modules, ultimately helping developers build more robust and feature-rich Drupal websites.