[heavi]

After reviewing various forums to trying and understand how to code my own variables and functions for use with templates in vB. I have found that PHPINCLUDE_START and PHPINCLUDE_END are the only places to add your own code without voiding your user support eligibility. I am creating this thread to get comments, feedback, and clarification on the use of PHPINCLUDE_START.

PHPINCLUDE_START;
- executes before any other templates are parsed
- is the place to define variables, constants, and globals for use in all templates
- is the place to add your own code for use in the templates

Templates that are used in functions do not have access to variables in PHPINCLUDE_START unless the variables are declared a defined as a superglobal ($GLOBALS[]).

A great tutorial by Michael Morris is TUTORIAL: USING PHPINCLUDE_START

Any comments or feedback?