Administrative and Maintenance Tools - Automatic Template Compiler

Development Tool: Automatic Template Compiler
Requirements: PHP 5, vBulletin 3.5+

Summary: Allows you to edit HTML files directly instead of using the AdminCP template editor. ATC will automatically update the database if any changes are detected. This is intended for a development environment only, and will only run while in debug mode.

Why: Template development is a huge PITA because of how templates are stored in the database - they are compiled. This means you cannot simply save a file, or update the database, because vBulletin needs to compile them first, and maybe even update the style cache. This saves TONS of time copy pasting and switching between your editor, your page, and the vBulletin template editor box.

How it works: ATC maintains a checksum (md5 hash) of each template body, and when it finds that one is out of sync with your working copy, it will save that template automatically in a very efficient manner. It updates both the template about to be displayed in memory and also the real copy in the database.

It also includes a very basic import utility so you can copy your existing templates into the filesystem for easy editing.

How to use it: Follow the install instructions, and then whenever you edit a file, the changes will transfer to vBulletin itself.

This was written in PHP 5 (OO) and I have no plans to make it work with PHP 4, but I may eventually build an interface to manage the settings, but for developers, configuring it should be no problem.

[jim6763nva]

** UNINSTALLED **
Too confusing and not enough instruction on how to use it or configure it.

[akanevsky]

As I said previously, very good hack, another idea is to allow organized plugin / phrase modification from the file system. Maybe we can cooperate in developing this into a multi-purpose system?

[Zachery]

Originally Posted by jim6763nva

** UNINSTALLED **
Too confusing and not enough instruction on how to use it or configure it.

this modification is not for the average joe, its for developers and people who know what it does without having to have had it explained.

[Adrian Schneider]

Originally Posted by Psionic Vision

As I said previously, very good hack, another idea is to allow organized plugin / phrase modification from the file system. Maybe we can cooperate in developing this into a multi-purpose system?

Sorry, I missed this reply.

I have another version in development which has another level of abstraction to handle different 'items' (templates, phrases, etc.)

You can take that over if you'd like - I have it in my SVN repos. somewhere. I usually develop things just enough to suit my needs and then I'm swamped with work and don't progress it until months later.

[cheesegrits]

Originally Posted by Zachery

this modification is not for the average joe, its for developers and people who know what it does without having to have had it explained.

See my repeated requests in the Private Coders Forum for a Private Coders Mods section.

-- hugh

[brendanc]

Well, I'm fairly savvy when it comes to these types of things and I find it absolutely confusing. I've followed what little directions there are... and I can't get it to generate the files. I never get errors, but it doesn't work either.

[cheesegrits]

Originally Posted by SirAdrian

You can take that over if you'd like - I have it in my SVN repos. somewhere. I usually develop things just enough to suit my needs and then I'm swamped with work and don't progress it until months later.

I'd be more than happy to join in on some joint dev work. I know Adrian is tired of me bugging him to add more features ...

-- hugh

[Mosh]

How does one go about exporting vbulletin's templates to the filesystem with the CVS version? As it seems to be missing since the name change.

Also, does one set up a watch folder before starting to create a new product? Or after? Or do I have to do some process to output the templates to the filesystem?

[Neo_obs]

Ummm... where does the folder need to be? in your forum root or includes?

does it import automagically?

[jim6763nva]

Originally Posted by Zachery

this modification is not for the average joe, its for developers and people who know what it does without having to have had it explained.

I'm not the "average joe" thank you very much. I am a developer, I just don't develop vbulletin addons, etc 24/7. If this is supposed to be some sort of tool for the elite they way make it available to the public? Besides the so-called developers you speak of had to learn about how to use it at some point, right? How about sharing the love and share some info with some part time vbulletin developers?

Please?

Jim