Re: [PHP3] RE: [PHP Template] Template Discussion

How quaint.  This is exactly where PHP started, lo these many years ago.  It was
(correct me Rasmus :O) a quickie template system that grew.  This is a point
worth pondering.  Much template power will create a new language.  PHPLib is
already close to a new language, requiring significantly different thought
process and theory of operation.  Certainly the array support and object
proto-support have completely redefined PHP development.  PHP3 is not the same
language as PHP2.

It appears to me that templates have these purposes:
1.    Provide a simple way for non-PHP programmers to insert standard components
- basically macros.
2.    Compatibility with WYSIWYG editors - work within and not be broken by
editors, and use in template libraries and IDEs.

Perhaps "macro" would be a better term than "template".  It provides a better
conceptual framework.  Nonprogrammers could work in a macro environment and
seamlessly incorporate PHP-proper.

Does anyone remember MORTRAN?  Didn't C++ start out as a preprocessor for C?

Peter Kocks wrote:

> > In the eyes of the designer, the proposed
> > template specs are no
> > different than learning a few new html tags. They
> > will add tremendous
> > value to the presentation of php.
> >
>
> Yes, but the only difference is in syntax.  Instead of
> having to learn new tags, why not just use the existing
> syntax.
>
> E.g.
> <? if($x==$y) ?> <br><br>