Lot's of folk are leaving Wordpress for a flat file CMS system with no database. Wordpress was built as a simple blogging platform and has evolved over the years into a feature rich CMS. Lot's of these features aren't needed by folk who merely want to blog without the bloat. We respect Wordpress and it will always be there, this small project simply aims to give people out there a chance to work with Flat File CMS's also know as file-based CMS's.
We're not talking about static site generators here, text of XML driven file CMS's..
Without a database the flat-file CMS stores content in files and folders unlike a traditional database. This means you don't have to query any database of any kind in your system - there is no databse. The flat-file system generates dynamic pages and each blog post or page is simply in a folder of it's own (depending on the system and how you structure it). There are several ways to populate and parse content, xml and markdown being the most popular.
There are certain advantages of not using a database like:
- Simplicity
- Speed
- Security
- Version Control
- Maintenance
- Portability
- Less expense (server)
Some people will argue that these flat-file CMS systems aren't real content management systems. Whilst they do let you manage your content they aren't full blown as they don't let you authentication/authorization. The argument is a full blown CMS should somehow be able to grant and deny create/read/update/delete access and permissions to users.
This can be a debatable topic, and this small project's aim to is to introduce you to these Flat-File CMS's. If you're new to the game then it's advantageous to seeing different views.
Personally I am all for Flat-File CMS's. View them below in alphabetical order:
FlatPress is a blogging engine that saves your posts as simple text files.
Technology: PHP
Templating: ??
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://dropplets.com/
Flat File CMS for designers
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML, Text and Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://feindura.org/
FlatPress is a blogging engine that saves your posts as simple text files.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Smarty
Formatting: Text
Open source: yes
Website: http://flatpress.org/home/
no database CMS, written in PHP, supports themes, soon plugins, and flexible taxonomies (data types) . Hybrid static/dynamic CMS that's cached by default. Runs on anything with PHP. Still being developed, but has a good base of features.
Technology: PHP
Templating: HTML (optionally, add PHP)
Formatting: HTML with WYSIWYG editor
Open source: yes
Website: http://flot.io
GetSimple is an XML based, stand-a-alone, fully independant and lite Content Management System.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Built in / Smarty
Formatting: XML
Open source: yes
Website: http://get-simple.info/
In a nutshell, installing Grav is a matter of unzipping the file. It is fast, has sophisticated caching, and a light footprint for optimal performance.
Technology: PHP / YAML
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://getgrav.org/
Kirby is a file-based CMS. Easy to setup, easy to use, flexible as hell
Technology: PHP
Templating: Roll your own
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: no
Website: http://getkirby.com/
An entirely new kind of CMS. Pack up your content, markup, and style. Leave the database behind. Making websites just got fun again.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Built in
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://monstra.org/
A Ruby CMS for developers and designers. With simple code that's easy to follow, Nesta is easily extended using the Sinatra web framework.
Technology: Ruby / Sinatra
Templating: Haml, Erb, Erubis, Liquid, Sass, Scss and Less
Formatting: Markdown, Textile or Haml
Open source: yes
Website: http://nestacms.com/
PluXML is a free, open-source, self-hosted CMS platform where data are stored by using XML files. This system is used to be a blog one, but pages feature allows to code some php inside the backend. Many plugins extend its functionnalities.
Technology: PHP / XML
Templating: PHP
Formatting: HTML, Text
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.pluxml.org/
A Markdown File Based CMS
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://philecms.github.io/Phile/
A stupidly simple & blazing fast, flat file CMS.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://pico.dev7studios.com/index.html
GetSimple is an XML based, stand-a-alone, fully independant and lite Content Management System.
Technology: PHP
Templating: ???
Formatting: Text
Open source: yes
Website: http://www.razorcms.co.uk/
A CMS in a Single PHP File
Technology: PHP
Templating: Nil
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://christophersu.net/2012/singularity-cms-single-php-file/
An entirely new kind of CMS. Pack up your content, markup, and style. Leave the database behind. Making websites just got fun again.
Technology: PHP
Templating: Built in
Formatting: Markdown, Textile, HTML, Plain Text
Open source: no
Website: http://statamic.com/
Vestibulum is deathly simple, ultra fast, flat file (Markdown, HTML) CMS. Fully customizable with Twig templates
Technology: PHP
Templating: Twig | HTML | PHP
Formatting: Markdown | HTML
Open source: yes
Website: http://vestibulum.omdesign.cz/
Yellow is for people who make websites. Just files and folders.
Technology: PHP
Templating: PHP
Formatting: Markdown
Open source: yes
Website: http://datenstrom.se/yellow/
Help grow this list - awesome! Ensure you list a system which is classified as a CMS as opposed to just a static site generator.