1) Each module can choose the definition of layout files that are in the / interface / theme / layouts / folder. You can accomplish this by specifying layouts in the module's config.xml file as follows:
<frontend>
<layout>
<updates>
<jason_page>
<file>jasonpage.xml</file>
</jason_page>
</updates>
</layout>
</frontend>
2) Yes.
a) Magento descendency. , , . , .
b) , config.xml:
<global>
<blocks>
<jason_page>
<class>Jason_Page_Block</class>
</jason_page>
</blocks>
</global>
jason_page, . , , :
<block type='jason_page/blockname' as='blockname' name='blockname' />
: Jason_Page_Block_Blockname /app/code/local/Jason/Page/Block/Blockname.php
c) , <reference> , , . name/as , . , , , .
d) local.xml( /etc ) , . .
d 2). , , . , , , . , (, ), config.xml.
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