From:	Mark Rogers	Date:	Thu Jan  3 07:54:32 2008
Subject:	Re: [SMARTY-DEV] Chained method calls

boots wrote:
> What I see this as is just another way
> for application programmers to download complexity into templates so that they
> can reduce the amount of code they have to write to interface with the
> templates. At least, that's what it looks like from my little pigeon hole..
>   

I think there are two types of template designers: those who also wrote 
the code (and just want to keep the logic separate from the display) and 
those who didn't. For the latter set (no idea if that's a majority?) I'd 
be -1 with boots, but for the first lot (of which I'm one) I think there 
is merit in providing the functionality.

I do think we should play down its inclusion even if it's made to work. 
If it is documented then it should have a "please don't do it" note 
citing the reasons boots has mentioned.

Ultiimately, where the template designer is familiar with the PHP code 
behind it, having a separate data structure in the templates from the 
application causes more problems than it solves, in my experience. When 
you're switching between template design and coding, it's not 
unreasonable to expect data structures to be the same in both. Adding 
extra logic to  simplify the structure for the benefit of a real 
designer is essential in some cases, and overkill in others.

-- 
Mark Rogers // More Solutions Ltd (Peterborough Office) // 0845 45 89 555
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