use Perl

• Wrong tool for the job? (Score:2)

  by samtregar (2699) on 2003.01.27 13:31 (#16431) Homepage Journal

  This sounds to me like a case of using the wrong tool for the job. HTML::Template was designed to support a workflow wherein a Perl geek codes Perl and an HTML designer designs in HTML. The template syntax is kept simple so that the HTML designer doesn't have to learn a whole new language just to create a template. All the code goes in one place and all the HTML goes in another. It's nirvana when you reach it, but there's no way to get there alone.

  However, it sounds to me like you're a lone Perl geek hacking code and hacking templates. For a job like that, TT makes a heck of a lot more sense. Hell, from that perspective even Mason starts making sense.

  So, in closing, use the right tool for the job. Then you won't be tempted to slandor that poor wrench you're trying to use as a drill.

  -sam

  PS: All that said, I've never had an HTML generation problem I couldn't solve with HTML::Template. If you post a full description on PerlMonks you'll be sure to get a solution.

  Reply to This

  • Re:Wrong tool for the job? (Score:1)

    by TeeJay (2309)

    Then Template Toolkit does H::T's job better.

    A designers using TT won't need to know any more than a designer using H::T.

    But at the same time the same templates can acheive a great deal more without the ridiculous hoop jumping required with H::T.

    A designer should not have to worry about many of the problems H::T brings with it. Scoping of variables and other problems make many simple HTML layout tasks hard or impossible.

    This is why I think I that H::T is lame - it doesn't even do HTML Templating ver

    --
    
    @JAPH = qw(Hacker Perl Another Just);
    print reverse @JAPH;
    • Re:Wrong tool for the job? (Score:2)

      by samtregar (2699)

      Enlighten me then, where should I start in the "long list of things that H::T can't do"? I can't think of a single HTML task I haven't been able to with HTML::Template. I build web applications all day long with HTML::Template and CGI::Application, and nothing has stopped me yet!

      -sam
      • Re:Wrong tool for the job? (Score:1)

        by TeeJay (2309)

        ok try looping through N lists concurrently, or looping through the keys of a hash, or using an iterator object, or keeping track of presentation logic values with variables local to the template.

        You can do anything with H::T assuming you totally mangle your data and code to squeeze everything into an array of hashes.

        --
        
        @JAPH = qw(Hacker Perl Another Just);
        print reverse @JAPH;