Layouts in Fusebox 4
- "Layouts in Fusebox 4" interview with Sandy Clark
- ****************************************************
- Michael Smith: This time we are talking with Sandy Clark about her Fusebox and Frameworks-05 talk "Layouts in Fusebox 4". So why should a developer come to your session Sandy ?
- Sandy Clark: This session deals with the front end of an FB4 application. How to create layouts at the application, circuit and fuseaction level. Developers who are unsure of how to work with layouts, or content variables will benefit from attending this session. As an added bonus, I will also be covering pod layouts as well.
- MS: That is a lot of material - cool! So what is a content variable exactly?
- SC: Content variables are literally variables that hold content. Any output from a fuseaction reference from a do command or a fuse reference in an include command can be placed in a variable that can be used elsewhere (say in a specific place in a layout). This gives the programmer great flexibility to creating layouts.
- MS: So I can do anything with a content varialbe that I can do with a regular variable? Store in session scope, copy to other variables, convert to upper case?
- SC: Sure, as far as the scripting language goes, they are simply variables. I tend to stuff all my variables into a content structure, just for readability purposes, but there is no specific need to do so.
- MS: Do content variables get used for layout pods, or is that a new construct?
- SC: Layout pods use content variables as well, there isn't a need for a new construct, just another way of looking at it.
- MS: And a layout pod is what exactly? Can you give an example?
- SC: layout pods are small snippets of information shown on multiple pages. Some examples can be found in blogs such as calendars, listings of subjects and most recent posts. They are all formatted the same as each other, and are usually laid out on the page in a group.
- MS: Will Fusebox layouts work with CSS or are they just for straight HTML?
- SC: Fusebox layouts output whatever you choose. If you choose to output xHTML(HTML)/CSS and do all your positioning via CSS, that is certainly available. If you choose to layout your page using tables, that is available too. The key here is flexibility and choice. You aren't locked into one particular layout model.
- MS: That is cool. Can you suggest how we can learn more about CCS for layouts?
- SC: I am running a four day hands on class in November all about CCS that will get people from beginning in CSS to advanced use including CSS Selectors, the box model, styling lists and form elements. There are details at http://www.teratech.com/training/oc_classes.cfm#CS201H
- MS: Great I will look forward to your talk and class!
|
