PHP template based website

[CNibbana]

I'm developing my first template-based dynamic website. I know there are several ways of doing this, and the way I have chosen uses a static template with the header, nav and footer. The content is called dynamically into the center of the document. I prefer to keep it this way if possible.

The way my template is setup now, I have an include at the beginning of the file to call the head info and then an include again in the center to call the same file content. This works, however it requires I peform a 'return' in the file I am calling. That doesn't work so well with some pre-formatted files.

I could store the content info as a variable, but then I would have to escape a ridiculous amount of quotes within the content html. I have heard of addslashes() and stripslashes(), but understand they have problems with forms? file or file_get_contents may work, but I'm not familiar with them.

What is the best solution to call my header info and then my content info into my template document by only using one include() (or whatever method necessary)?

[whoisKeel]

maybe i'm not understanding correctly, but why don't you

<?php include('header.php'); ?>

html content here <table>etc.</table>

<?php include('footer.php') ?>

and, if you needed to access dynamic php variables in your html, you can call up php whenever you need to

<td><?php echo "this is table data" ?></td>

[bretticus]

Your question is a bit hard to follow. Can you give us a code example?

I have done this numerous ways and if I sorta follow you right, I believe there may be easier methods to accomplish your design even though I know you would rather not -- then again, I'm not quite sure how you're doing this. Example please?

[CNibbana]

WITHIN TEMPLATE DOCUMENT:

<?php $x=head;
if (empty($url)){include('home/index.php');}
elseif (file_exists("{$url}.php")) {include("{$url}.php");}
else {include('errors/404.php');}
?>
<title><?=$TITLE; ?></title>
<meta name="description" content="<?=$DESC; ?>" />
<meta name="keywords" content="<?=$KEY; ?>" />?>

header, nav html here

<?php $x=body; 
if (empty($url)){include('home/index.php');}
elseif (file_exists("{$url}.php")) {include("{$url}.php");}
else {include('errors/404.php');}
?>

footer html here

WITHIN INCLUDE DOCUMENT:

<?php if ($x==head) {
$TITLE = ''page title";
$DESC = 'meta page description';
$KEY = 'meta keywords;
return;}
?>
<div>This page is about stuff.</div>

The first sample (template) calls the include document for the header info. Upon encountering the return; it continues thru the template until it encouters the second include. The second include calls the same page, but because of the $head and $main variables, this time only includes the content.

I know one way of solving the problem is to include the header content in a seperate header.php file, but that would require two files for every page which I am trying to avoid if possible. BTW, I'm sure the second include could be simplified but it doesn't seem to work if I just say include $url.

The reason I chose not to do it the way 'whoisKeel' suggests is because upon loading any include document the page "flashes" or appears to reload as the header, nav, and footer are recalled. My way doesn't cause the static items to "flash" or appear to reload at all. Very anal I know, but if I like it that way if possible.

I would like to maintain the main template idea calling the includes pages, but I am willing to change anything else.

[bretticus]

You really getting "flashing" on the browser each time an include is loaded???

Technically your browser shouldn't be able to detect include files as it's preprocessed before coming from the Web server.

Also, if you really insist on loading just one include for the headers and contents areas, why not encapsulate the individual conents either in if statements (unorthodox) or include your include file and call them in as functions.

It wouldn't be too harsh to to do something like:

<?function showHeader() {?>
	<!--header stuff-->
<?}?>

<?function showContents() {?>
	<!--conent stuff-->
<?}?>

Or better yet, have your include file 's functions parse text read in from a slightly formatted (one delimeter) flat file (I guess that's the dreaded two files again though ;-)

Good luck!

[CNibbana]

Thanks for your reply bretticus. I must admit I expected more than 1 reply, but at least yours gave me some ideas.

I'm not very aquainted with OOP within php, can anyone tell me if it might be a viable solution?

[bretticus]

Let me just put it this way. If you plan on extending and maintaining this Website over the next few years (not a one time job), OOP is your best friend.

With OOP you will be able to develop a programming toolbox for your site (heck if it's modular enough for all your sites.) I highly recommend using PHP classes if you plan on extending your Website.

<?php
include("templates.class.php");
$templates = new Template;
?>
<title><?=$templates->showTitle?></title>
<meta name="description" content="<?=$templates->showMetaDesc; ?>" />
<meta name="keywords" content="<?=$templates->showMetaKeywords; ?>" />?>

header, nav html here

<?php

Class Template
{
     function Template()
     {
     //constructor, code here happens when you instantiate this class.
     }

 function showTitle()
 {
	//any code you want in here, changed whenever you want to change it.
	return "title";
 }

 function showMetaDesc()
 {
	//any code you want in here, changed whenever you want to change it.
	return "desc";
 }

 function showMetaKeywords()
 {
	//any code you want in here, changed whenever you want to change it.
	return "keywords";
 }
}
?>

footer html here