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The following modules comprise the Template Toolkit. Consult the individual documentation for further details.
The Template::Context module defines a class of objects which each represent a unique run-time environment in which templates are rendered. The context maintains references to the stash of variables currently defined (Template::Stash) and to a cache object (Template::Cache) which provides access to template files. It also defines the output() method through which template output is directed and provides the error() and throw() methods for error handling. The main process() method is called to render a template within the context.
The Template::Stash module defines an object class which is used for storing, retrieving and evaluating variables and their values for run-time access and processing by templates.
The Template::Cache module defines an object class which is used to find, load, parse, compile and then cache template documents. The cache implements a simple fetch($template) method which will accept a wide range of inputs (filename, text ref, GLOB, IO::Handle, etc) and attempt to read the template and call on a Template::Parser to parse and compile it to an internal form. This is then cached for subsequent fetch() calls for the same template.
The Template::Parser module defines an object class which implements the template parser and compiler. The template text is first scanned by a Perl regex which breaks the text into chunks and lexes the tokens within directive tags. A DFA (Deterministic Finite-State Automation) then iterates through the tokens using the rules and states defined in Template::Grammar and generates a compiled template document represented by the root node of a tree of Template::Directive objects. The rendering context may then call the process() method of the root node, passing itself as a reference, to render the template.
The Template::Grammar module defines the rules and state tables for the Template::Parser DFA. These are generated by the Parse::Yapp module. The Template-Toolkit distribution contains a parser directory which contains further files and information concerning the grammar and compilation thereof.
The Template::Directive module defines a base class and a number of derived specialist classes to represent directives within template documents. These are instantiated by the Template::Parser object from actions defined in Template::Grammar.
The Template::Exception module defines a primitive exception type for representing error conditions within the Template Toolkit.
The Template::Iterator module defines a data iterator which is used by the FOREACH directive. This may be sub-classed to create more specialised iterators for traversing data sets.
The Template::Plugin module defines a base class for Template Toolkit extension modules that can be loaded via the USE directive.
A specific plugin module which implements the FILTER methods.
Defines various constants used in the Template Toolkit.
Defines utility functions.
Defines functions and methods for debugging (incomplete).
To install Template, copy and paste the appropriate command in to your terminal.
cpanm
cpanm Template
CPAN shell
perl -MCPAN -e shell install Template
For more information on module installation, please visit the detailed CPAN module installation guide.