Appendix D. The Template Toolkit

This appendix provides an introduction to the Template Toolkit, a fast, flexible, powerful, and extensible template processing system written in Perl.[61] It is ideally suited for use in creating highly customized static and dynamic web pages and for building Perl-based web applications. This appendix explains how to get the best out of the Template Toolkit under mod_perl (although the Template Toolkit is in no way limited to use under mod_perl). All the example code is available for download from this book's web site (http://www.modperl.com/).

[61]There are also some optional components written in C for speed, but you don't need to use them if you're looking for a pure Perl solution.

This appendix's goal is to give you a flavor of what the Template Toolkit can do for you and your web sites. It is by no means comprehensive, and you're strongly urged to consult the copious documentation that is bundled with the Perl modules or available for browsing online at the Template Toolkit web site: http://template-toolkit.org/.

D.1. Fetching and Installing the Template Toolkit

You can fetch the Template Toolkit from any CPAN site. It can be found at the following URL: http://www.cpan.org/modules/by-module/Template/.

Once you've unzipped and untarred the distribution, installation proceeds via the usual route. For example:

panic% perl Makefile.PL
panic% make
panic% make test
panic% su
panic# make install

Alternately, you can use the CPAN.pm module to install it. Full details on installation can be found in the INSTALL file in the distribution directory. There is also a README file that is worth at least a passing glance.

Appendix D. The Template Toolkit

Contents:

D.1. Fetching and Installing the Template Toolkit