[Buildbot-devel] Template system for HTML views (#342 and 1.0)

[Gareth Armstrong]

Marcus Lindblom wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> It'd be nice to use a proper HTML template system, rather than manually 
>> concatenating pieces of text. (This has problems, like 
>> http://buildbot.net/trac/ticket/342).
>>
>>     
Sorry for jumping in late, ++1 for your suggestion.  My team is already 
doing some basic templating to set up additional web pages using 
buildbot's "&builder=xyx" filter syntax and it works a treat.

> jinja(2) (http://jinja.pocoo.org/), which is used by sphinx (python's 
> own documentation generator).
> I'd not call it a preference of mine (yet), but it is quite expressive 
> and easy to use.
>   
So far we have played with kid (http://www.kid-templating.org), cheetah 
(http://www.cheetahtemplate.org, www.communitycheetah.org) and mako 
(http://www.makotemplates.org).

Of the three, my personal preference is for mako for its simplicity and 
power.  I have not yet used jinja but I am willing to have a look too.  
I have not yet dug a trench for a flame war ;-).

> I agree about the general idea of using a templating tool for the html 
> frontend. As long as the interface is well encapsulated, it shouldn't be 
> hard to change the specific tool, if ever this may become desirable. 
> Other than that, I guess it's more important just to pick one and get 
> started, than to decide which one. (I'm slightly afraid of another 
> language / tool bikeshed discussion / flamewar... :-) )
>   
I agree with trying to create a well encapsulated interface.  Most of 
the python MVCs have already got this figured.  If I can help out just 
let me know.

All the best,

Gareth

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