XF template system question

[Ryan Kent]

I really wish there was a XenTemplates 101 user guide so I could read it and learn. Since there is not, I will do my best to learn it the hard way.

My initial question concerns "content" code. Using the below code as an example, my questions are:

- where does the "hascontent" portion of xen:if hascontent="true" come from? Is it a variable?
- where does the <xen:contentcheck> come from?

I basically seek to understand this code and how it works. I am totally lost on these seemingly simple points.

        <xen:if hascontent="true">
        <ul>
            <xen:contentcheck>
            <xen:foreach loop="$StatusUpdates" value="$update">
                <li>
                    <xen:avatar user="$update" size="s" img="true" />
                    <a href="{xen:link members, $update}" class="username" style="display: inline;">{xen:helper richUserName, $update}</a>
                    <span class="userTitle">{$update.message} (<xen:datetime time="$update.post_date" />)</span>
                </li>
            </xen:foreach>
            </xen:contentcheck>
        </ul>
        </xen:if>

 

[James]

I assume you know their function? The contents of the <xen:if hascontent="true"> will only be displayed if there is content to display, and the <xen:contentcheck> goes hand-in-hand with the hascontent attribute.

Where they come from I can't tell you as my test install isn't up. Try looking in the Compiler folder.

 

[Ryan Kent]

I appreciate the reply. I have developed in VBA and MS SQL extensively, but I learned absolutely nothing from your reply.

The contents of the <xen:if hascontent="true"> will only be displayed if there is content to display

How exactly is the determination made as to whether or not there is content?

<xen:contentcheck> goes hand-in-hand with the hascontent attribute.

Where is this attribute's value set?

Try looking in the Compiler folder.

What is a compiler folder? Where is it located?

Again, I have never used a template system before XF. I need a basic user guide. Let's assume I am an intelligent life form with general coding experience, but have never used a template system before. I need to start from that point, and go from there. Your reply seems to be for someone who has worked with this system already and has knowledge of these things.

 

[James]

Hi Oracle,

You are asking how it is compiled? I see. The compiler folder is located at library/XenForo/Template. I'll have a look through them, but I'm not entirely sure.

 

[James]

In library/XenForo/Template/Compiler/Tag you'll notice a file called If.php. This controls the <xen:if> conditionals, and inside it you'll see some code. This controls the <xen:if> attributes, which I now realise are is, hascontent, segments, line.

 

[Ryan Kent]

I realize you are trying to assist me James, and I appreciate your efforts. At this point I am absolutely not the slightest bit closer to answering my original questions. The thread is just getting bigger. If perhaps someone else could give a shot at responding, that would probably be best.

 

[Panupat]

From my understandind, it checks in this order.

<xen: contentcheck> is the one deciding if hascontent is true or not. In this case, we specified xen: avatar ,xen:link, and a few others.

So if 1 of the specified value exists (avatar, link, etc), contentcheck has content, so hascontent=true.

I found a similar thread, hope they're good examples.

http://xenforo.com/community/threads/xen-if-hascontent.10317/
http://xenforo.com/community/threads/multiple-conditions-in-xenforo-template-syntax.13177/

 

[James]

Maybe I was unsure of your question. I thought you wanted to know how it was compiled - my bad.

 

[Ryan Kent]

Thank you Panupat! Those links were absolutely perfect. I am clear now.

James, I recognize you are very knowledgeable. In this instance you were not able to convey your knowledge in a way that I understood it. Probably my fault. No worries, and again I truly appreciate the effort.