Among the many different approaches to "templating" with Perl--such as
Embperl, Mason, HTML:: Template, and hundreds of other lesser known
systems--the Template Toolkit is widely recognized as one of the most
versatile. Like other templating systems, the Template Toolkit allows
programmers to embed Perl code and custom macros into HTML documents in
order to create customized documents on the fly. But unlike the others,
the Template Toolkit is as facile at producing HTML as it is at
producing XML, PDF, or any other output format. And because it has its
own simple templating language, templates can be written and edited by
people who don't know Perl. In short, the Template Toolkit combines the
best features of its competitors, with ease-of-use and flexibility,
resulting in a technology that's fast, powerful and extensible, and
ideally suited to the production and maintenance of web content and
other dynamic document systems.In Perl Template Toolkit you'll find
detailed coverage of this increasingly popular technology. Written by
core members of the technology's development team, the book guides you
through the entire process of installing, configuring, using, and
extending the Template Toolkit. It begins with a fast-paced but thorough
tutorial on building web content with the Template Toolkit, and then
walks you through generating and using data files, particularly with
XML. It also provides detailed information on the Template Toolkit's
modules, libraries, and tools in addition to a complete reference
manual.Topics in the book include:
- Getting started with the template toolkit
- The Template language
- Template directives
- Filters
- Plugins
- Extending the Template Toolkit
- Accessing databases
- XML
- Advanced static web page techniques
- Dynamic web content and web applications
The only book to cover this important tool, Perl Template Toolkit is
essential reading for any Perl programmer who wants to create dynamic
web content that is remarkably easy to maintain. This book is your
surefire guide to implementing this fast, flexible, and powerful
templating system.
