10 Kentico CMS Interview Questions and Answers

Kentico CMS is a versatile content management system that enables developers and marketers to create, manage, and optimize digital experiences across multiple channels. Known for its robust features, including content personalization, e-commerce capabilities, and seamless integration options, Kentico CMS is a popular choice for organizations looking to enhance their digital presence. Its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options make it a valuable tool for both technical and non-technical users.

This guide offers a curated selection of Kentico CMS interview questions designed to help you demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities. By familiarizing yourself with these questions, you can confidently showcase your knowledge and skills, making a strong impression in your upcoming interview.

Kentico CMS Interview Questions and Answers

1. Explain the difference between Page Types and Custom Tables. When would you use each?

Page Types and Custom Tables in Kentico CMS serve distinct purposes. Page Types define the structure and fields of content pages, ideal for content that is part of the website’s navigation and hierarchy, such as articles or product pages. They support versioning, workflow, and permissions. Custom Tables store structured data not part of the website’s navigation, like lists or configurations, offering data entry forms and basic querying but lacking versioning or workflow.

2. What are Transformations, and how do you use them?

Transformations in Kentico CMS are templates that define how data is displayed on the website. They work with data sources and repeaters to render content dynamically, using HTML, CSS, and Kentico’s macro expressions for customization. For example, a transformation might format a list of articles with specific HTML and CSS, using macros to insert data values.

<%# Eval("ArticleTitle") %>
<%# Eval("ArticleSummary") %>
<%# Eval("ArticleDate", "{0:MMMM dd, yyyy}") %>

3. Write a code snippet to retrieve a list of published articles from a specific section of the site using the Kentico API.

To retrieve a list of published articles from a specific section using the Kentico API, use the following code snippet:

using CMS.DocumentEngine;
using CMS.SiteProvider;
using System.Collections.Generic;

public List<TreeNode> GetPublishedArticles(string sectionAliasPath)
{
    string siteName = SiteContext.CurrentSiteName;

    var articles = DocumentHelper.GetDocuments()
                                 .Path(sectionAliasPath, PathTypeEnum.Children)
                                 .OnSite(siteName)
                                 .Published()
                                 .ToList();

    return articles;
}

4. Explain the concept of Macros and provide an example of their usage.

Macros in Kentico CMS are expressions embedded within the system to dynamically generate content or perform operations. They access system objects, properties, and methods, evaluated at runtime for real-time customization.

Example:

{% CurrentUser.UserName %}

This macro retrieves the username of the currently logged-in user. Macros can also personalize email content based on user data:

Dear {% Recipient.FirstName %},

Thank you for registering on our website. Your username is {% Recipient.UserName %}.

5. How do you handle user authentication and roles?

Kentico CMS manages user authentication and roles through built-in security features. It supports various authentication methods, including forms authentication and third-party providers like OAuth. User roles define permissions and access levels, managed through the Kentico administration interface. Roles are assigned specific permissions, and users are assigned to roles, determining their access rights.

6. Write a code snippet to implement a custom event handler.

To implement a custom event handler in Kentico CMS, create a custom module and register the event handler within it:

using CMS;
using CMS.DataEngine;
using CMS.DocumentEngine;
using CMS.EventLog;

[assembly: RegisterModule(typeof(CustomEventHandlerModule))]

public class CustomEventHandlerModule : Module
{
    public CustomEventHandlerModule() : base("CustomEventHandlerModule")
    {
    }

    protected override void OnInit()
    {
        base.OnInit();
        DocumentEvents.Insert.After += Document_Insert_After;
    }

    private void Document_Insert_After(object sender, DocumentEventArgs e)
    {
        EventLogProvider.LogInformation("CustomEventHandlerModule", "DocumentInserted", "A new document has been inserted.");
    }
}

7. How do you manage multilingual content?

Kentico CMS supports multilingual content management through features like language versions, resource localization, and translation workflows. Language versions allow independent editing for localization. A language selector enables users to switch between languages. The translation workflow manages translation tasks and progress, and automatic translation services can provide initial translations.

8. Describe the workflow management system and how you would set up a basic content approval process.

Kentico CMS’s workflow management system automates content creation, review, and approval. To set up a basic content approval process:

– Define workflow steps like “Draft,” “Review,” and “Published.”
– Assign roles to each step, such as content editors for “Draft” and reviewers for “Review.”
– Configure transitions between steps, requiring approval for progression.
– Apply the workflow to specific content types or sections.

9. What are some security best practices when working with Kentico CMS?

When working with Kentico CMS, follow security best practices:

– Use strong authentication, including multi-factor authentication.
– Implement role-based access control for minimal access.
– Secure data transmission with HTTPS.
– Regularly update Kentico CMS and components.
– Validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent attacks.
– Implement Content Security Policy headers.
– Audit user activities and monitor logs.
– Have a backup and recovery plan.

10. How would you implement Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) with a Kentico project?

To implement CI/CD with a Kentico project:

– Use a version control system like Git for source code management.
– Automate the build process with tools like Jenkins or Azure DevOps.
– Automate deployment to various environments using tools like Octopus Deploy.
– Manage configuration settings for different environments.
– Use tools like Entity Framework Migrations for database changes.
– Implement monitoring and logging for performance and health feedback.