Am I missing the point with templates?

[TodManPlaa]

I'm reading up one making use of templates with PHP and I think I'm missing the point with them.

I can't see the point in using them when the same results can be delivered by including a file of your functions then delivering the content with function.

For example with templates, it seems you separate it all out as follows:

<some html>
<p>{LISTOFADDRESSES}</p>
<rest of html>

while with a function you could do the same as this:

<some html>
<p><?php echo ListOfAddresses($functionArgumentsHere);?></p>
<rest of html>

Surely, from the graphic designer's point of view it is six of one half dozen of the other.

So is there another benefit of using templates?

Comments much appreciated.

stuart

[ednark]

you are right... for some instances there is no reason to need the templates as such....

the one good point of templates is that some systems make their templates look like html...

so if you are working with a design team the uses a WYSIWYG editor, they can open up the templates without ruining the look and feel of the document, then they don't have to see yoru php

they are NOT NOT NOT more efficient than doing what you suggest <?php echo $var ?>

if you aren't forced to use templates, don't bother..