Issues with using templates

[Robust]

I'm following a tutorial and have the following code. I also have two code event listeners, one listening for both of these methods (I think that's what they are haha)

<?php
class newProfileTabs_Listener {

    public static function template_create ($templateName, array &$params, XenForo_Template_Abstract $template)
    {
        switch ($templateName) {
            case 'member_view':
                $template->preloadTemplate('newProfileTab_ourTab');
                $template->preloadTemplate('newProfileTab_ourTab_content');
                break;
        }
    }

    public static function template_hook ($hookName, &$contents, array $hookParams, XenForo_Template_Abstract $template)    {
        switch ($hookName)
        {
            case 'member_view_tabs_heading':
            {
                $tabTemplate = $template->create('newProfileTabs_ourTab', $template->getParams());
                $rendered = $tabTemplate->render();
                $contents .= $rendered;
                break;
            }
            case 'member_view_tabs_content':
            {
                $tabTemplate = $template->create('newProfileTabs_ourTab_content', $template->getParams());
                $rendered = $tabTemplate->render();
                $contents .= $rendered;
                break;
            }
        }
    }
}

It worked fine when I had the templates in code, but I'm using the template system in XenForo and the tab no longer shows. Not sure why?

Also, is it necessary to pre-load templates? Why should/should you not do it?

Finally, still a little confused on what the & does when it's before a variable name (&$contents)

Thanks!

 

[Chris D]

Which tutorial are you following?

There's no particular reason why your code shouldn't work as long as you've created the listeners and templates properly.

However, the method of using template hooks is deprecated and no longer recommended. (It works, but there's no guarantee they'll still be included in, say, XF 2.0). Since XenForo 1.2 there is the Template Modifications system and this is recommended for add-on developers over using template hooks.

 

[Robust]

https://xenforo.com/community/resou...o-insert-tabs-in-profile-page-using-hooks.335

It's quite outdated, hence it uses template hooks I guess. I'll look into template modifications.

 

[Robust]

Issue solved, not sure what it was but it works now I guess. Going to look into the Template Modifications system ASAP.