[Zope3-dev] Re: Better access to APIs in paths (was Re: needingviewsclues - template/title troubles)

[Jim Fulton]

Shane Hathaway wrote:
> Casey Duncan wrote:
> 
>> FWIW: Me Three.
>>
>> I have no inherent love for XML namespaces, but they are a widely 
>> understood/documented concept that we can readily co-opt for this.
>>
>> Perhaps we could define some configurable default set of namespace 
>> declarations made implicitly for all html page templates.
>>
>> <beat what="drum">Either that or get the code the hell out of the 
>> templates all together... ;^)</beat>
> 
> 
> Well, part of what this does is it lets you do many things in templates 
> that formerly required Python expressions.  Currency formatting is just 
> scratching the surface.
> 
> And before we say that presentation details like formatting currency 
> should require a Python script, imagine the following hypothetical 
> future exchange:
> 
> =======================================
> 
> [Newbie]
> I just downloaded Zope today and it's really cool.  I made a little 
> checkbook register using a page template.  It's way better than PHP. Now 
> I can't figure out how to show only two digits after the decimal point.  
> I don't know Python.  Can you help?
> 
> [Guru]
> Hmm, you'll have to use some Python.  Don't use a Python expression, 
> though, because that would be putting code in your template.  Write a 
> script to do it.
> 
> [Newbie]
> Can you help me write the script?
> 
> [Guru]
> Ok, here you go:
> 
> from zope.app.servicenames import LocaleService
> from zope.components import getService
> def money(context, n):
>   return getService(context, LocaleService).formatCurrency(n)
> 
> [Newbie]
> Um, okay.  I made the script and I think it works.  Now how do I get my 
> template to call it?
> 
> [Guru]
> Oops, somehow you have to pass arguments to the script.  Dang.  Page 
> templates don't provide a way to do that without Python expressions. 
> You'll need a Python expression after all.  Try this (replace "value" 
> with whatever variable you're using):
> 
> <span tal:content="python: container.money(container, value)">
> $15.00
> </span>
> 
> [Newbie]
> That worked.  But it's going to take a long time to figure out that 
> script you sent me.
> 
> =======================================
> 
> 
> Now imagine this exchange:
> 
> 
> =======================================
> 
> [Newbie]
> I just downloaded Zope today and it's really cool.  I made a little 
> checkbook register using a page template.  It's way better than PHP. Now 
> I can't figure out how to show only two digits after the decimal point.  
> I don't know Python.  Can you help?
> 
> [Guru]
> Use the string formatting API.  Try this (replace "value" with whatever 
> variable you're using):
> 
>   <div tal:namespaces="sf zope:string-fmt">
>   <span tal:content="value/sf:money">$15.00</span>
>   </div>
> 
> [Newbie]
> Hey, neat, that makes sense.  But do I have to write "tal:namespaces" 
> each time I use "sf:money"?
> 
> [Guru]
> You can put tal:namespaces at the top of your template.  It applies to 
> all contained elements.
> 
> [Newbie]
> Oh, okay.  I guess that means I could write it this way too:
> 
>   <span tal:namespaces="sf zope:string-fmt"
>     tal:content="value/sf:money">$15.00</span>
> 
> [Guru]
> Yep.  I think I'll add a recipe to zopelabs.com.
> 
> [Newbie]
> Don't bother, this is easy enough.  Thanks!
> 
> =======================================

Now, imagine this exchange:

[Newbie]
I just downloaded Zope today and it's really cool.  I made a little
checkbook register  using a page template.  It's way better than PHP. Now
I can't figure out how to show only two digits after the decimal point.
I don't know Python.  Can you help?

[Guru]
Use the string formatting API.  Try this (replace "value" with whatever variable you're using):

   <span tal:content="value/sf:money">$15.00</span>

[Newbie]
Hey, neat, that makes sense.

(feels like groundhog day)

> 
> 'nuff said.

Yup. :)

I really don't think that the declaration adds anything but ceremony in your example.

Jim


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