The Content Construct

A content store is a named block of template, defined once and usable anywhere after it. The content tag page covers defining one and the ways two blocks merge; this page is about what the construct does for a whole page: one block, many tags, each deciding how to wear it.

A store used by name

Writing the store's name as a tag renders it. The tag may bring content of its own - without merge= the store comes first, and merge='bottom' or merge='replace' say otherwise:

{content 'warning'}Check your input.{/content}

<p>{warning}{/warning}</p>
<p>{warning}Also: {/warning}</p>
<p>{warning merge='bottom'} Then retry: {/warning}</p>

The @content@ placeholder

Instead of joining end to end, either side may carry @content@: whichever side has it, the other is dropped into that spot. A store shaped like a frame turns every usage into its filling:

{content 'box'}[ @content@ ]{/content}

<p>{box}one{/box}</p>
<p>{box}two{/box}</p>

content= on any tag, and a store with two halves

Every tag takes a content= option naming a store, with the same merge= choices. And a store may carry an @else@ of its own: which half is used is decided by the tag wearing it - the same store gives its first half to a tag that produced something and its second half to one that came up empty:

{content 'verdict'}Found: @else@Nothing there.{/content}

{data 'hits'}["first","second"]{/data}
{data 'none'}[]{/data}

<p>{hits content='verdict'}{$hits} {/hits}</p>
<p>{none content='verdict'}{$none} {/none}</p>