Tools for developing templates
FirstSpirit offers a number of tools to make life easier for template developers.
Code completion
Code completion is available when defining input components in the form area. It is also available when using functions in the areas for the individual template sets.
Pressing the Ctrl and Space key combination opens a window with all the available input components or CMS tags. It also shows which CMS tags can be sensibly combined.
On the Form tab:
- Code completion enables you to insert minimally configured input components.
- You can then supplement these input components with any of the available parameters.
- The values that are applicable to each parameter are made available for selection.
On the Template set tab, code completion allows you to insert all the available instructions with the appropriate syntax. In this case, you must enter the $ character as a minimum.
Also refer to Input tools under Interesting tips.
Debugging during template development
FirstSpirit provides debugging support during template development. In the form area, the syntax is checked with regard to causality. In the HTML presentation channel, two template debugging tools are available in the form of the “Template Inspector” and the “Template Debugger”.
Bugs can be identified in the form area of a template while development is still taking place. If, for example, parameters or attributes have been incorrectly defined for an input component, it will not be possible to save the template and a corresponding reason will be given. The appearance and functionality of an input form can then be checked directly in the integrated preview.
The Template Inspector offers a quick way of locating existing code in the HTML channel. The tool can be accessed via the context menu in the integrated preview. This opens a window that contains the HTML code tag structure for the current page with the selected section. When you click inside the tag structure, the associated template opens in the workspace with the relevant part highlighted.
Refer also to Template Inspector under Template development – Debugging.
Among other things, the Template Debugger allows you to search for errors in the HTML code with the assistance of the software. In addition, the page shown in the integrated preview can be gradually built up so that you can check the partial results, either in the form of source text or as generated HTML. Clicking in the preview takes you directly to the relevant part of the template's HTML code. This procedure provides an insight into the inner workings of the FirstSpirit syntax and the interaction between instructions, functions, variables, and their output in FirstSpirit.
Also refer to FirstSpirit Debugger under Template development – Debugging.
The FirstSpirit Online Help system (F1)
The FirstSpirit online documentation can be accessed at any time in the integrated preview by clicking the “Online Help” icon or by pressing F1.
Selecting a particular keyword in the template opens the corresponding section of the online documentation.
- To select a particular keyword in the template, all you have to do is click on it.
- The Online Help system is then accessed by clicking the Help icon or pressing F1.
- The FirstSpirit online documentation opens in the integrated preview and takes you to a page matching the keyword.