Can't access variables in the advertisment HTML

[Retal]

I want to generate a random number and use it in the ad HTML to rotate banners, but I can't find the right hook to do it.

In a plugin (which one?!)

PHP Code:

$rotate_banner = rand(0,1); 


In the Ad HTML:

<vb:if condition="$rotate_banner">banner.gif</vb:else>...</vb:if>

Tried to use declare the variable as global, add it to $show, $vbulletin, but to no avail.

Anoyne has any idea?

[Retal]

Dammit, I found the solution in an older plugin of mine; I already solved this before.

For future reference

PHP Code:

$array['rotate_banner'] = rand(1,4);
vB_Template::preRegister('ad_global_below_navbar', $array); 


at the hook global_bootstrap_complete

Change the template name according to the ad position.

[Retal]

This drives me crazy.
At my test installation, the variable is preregistered alright.
At the live instance, the variable is not preregistered and I can't access it from the template ad_global_below_navbar.

The plugin is the same. The ad code is the same. But it just doesn't preregister on the live installation.
Do you have any ideas why?

Can we see all of the code in question, it seems like the logic in your first and second posts are different (defining a dynamic boolean in the former and not in the latter).

[Retal]

Hi Danny, thanks.
I modified it a bit between the posts.

Plugin at global_bootstrap_complete

PHP Code:

$array['rotation'] = rand(1,2);
vB_Template::preRegister('ad_global_below_navbar', $array); 


Template ad_global_below_navbar

<!-- rotation: {vb:raw rotation} -->
<object width="234" height="60">
    <param name="movie" value="example<vb:if condition="$rotation == 2">-2</vb:if>.swf">
    <param name="wmode" value="opaque" />
    <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always">
  <embed src="example<vb:if condition="$rotation == 2">-2</vb:if>.swf" width="234" height="60" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="opaque"></embed>
</object>

The var $rotation doesn't show at all.

I think it is the hook location that is causing the problem, have tried one of the global_ hooks? global_start or global_setup_complete ?

[Retal]

Oh my, thank you Danny for the kick in the ass! After playing around with it, I found that the hook cache_templates works just fine.
It's still a mystery to me why it works on the test installation and not on the live one, but that is probably due to a different configuration and plugins.

Thanks a lot.

I'm curious too, is your test installation running the same version?