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How It Works


Webgenz CMS enables you to manage and maintain any type of web site document, including HTML files, ASP files, JSP files, PHP files, XML files and more. The integrated development environment provides centralized access to all the elements of your web site project -- Folders, Documents, Templates, Content Files, and Macros.

Webgenz CMS Screen
The Webgenz CMS main screen provides integrated access to Folders, Documents, Content Files, Templates, and Macros.

Before we look at a basic example of how Webgenz CMS is used, it is important to be familiar with the following terms:
  • Template
    A Template defines the reusable structure of a web site Document. Webgenz CMS enables you to manage the structure of a multiple Documents with a single Template.

  • Macro
    A Macro is an individual element of code or content used on a web site. Webgenz CMS gives you complete control over defining and sharing Macros throughout a site.

  • Content File
    A Webgenz CMS Content File is a text file that includes the definitions of Macros. Content Files can be structured into a hierarchy, making it easy to share code at many different levels.

  • Document
    A Document is an output file generated by Webgenz CMS. Webgenz CMS generates a Document by merging a Template with the Macro definitions in Content Files.
It is also important to note that Webgenz CMS is not a WYSIWYG layout and design tool for prototyping web sites. Accordingly, before you begin using Webgenz CMS, you should have a basic idea of your site structure and the design of the specific pages on your site. When you are ready to start coding, you are ready to begin using Webgenz CMS.

A Basic Example
Now, we're ready to look at a basic example. Many web sites are designed to use the same document structure across a number of web pages. This document structure can be defined in a Template. Consider the Webgenz CMS Template below that defines the structure of a simple web page:
     <HTML>
     
      <HEAD>
       <TITLE>[@TITLE]</TITLE>
      </HEAD>
     
      <BODY>
     
       <H3>[@HEADER]</H3>
     
       <HR>
       <P>
       [@BODY_CONTENT]
     
       <HR>
       <P>
       [@FOOTER]
     
      </BODY>
     
     </HTML>
     
In this Template, the variable content is represented by Macros. The Macros referenced in this Template are [@TITLE], [@HEADER], [@BODY_CONTENT], and [@FOOTER]. Every Document that uses this Template can define its own values for these Macros. For example, consider a Webgenz CMS Content File containing the following Macro definitions:
     [@TITLE]:
     Webgenz CMS - Code and Content Management
     [@]
     
     [@HEADER]:
     Webgenz CMS
     [@]
     
     [@BODY_CONTENT]:
     Webgenz CMS is a powerful, practical solution
     for front-end web development.
     <P>
     Designed for professional and corporate developers,
     Webgenz CMS increases productivity by maximizing
     reuse.
     [@]
     
     [@FOOTER]:
     Copyright 1997-2003. All rights reserved.
     [@]
     
When Webgenz CMS generates a Document from this Template and Content File, it merges the Macro definitions into the Template to produce the following result:
     <HTML>
     
      <HEAD>
       <TITLE>Webgenz CMS - Code and Content Management</TITLE>
      </HEAD>
     
      <BODY>
     
       <H3>Webgenz CMS</H3>
     
       <HR>
       <P>
       Webgenz CMS is a powerful, practical solution
       for front-end web development.
       <P>
       Designed for professional and corporate developers,
       Webgenz CMS increases productivity by maximizing
       reuse.
     
       <HR>
       <P>
       Copyright 1997-2003. All rights reserved.
     
      </BODY>
     
     </HTML>
     
This example provides a quick introduction to the Webgenz CMS macro language and how it is used. The advanced features of the macro language and the tools and utilities built-in to the integrated development environment provide a robust platform to meet the challenges of professional front-end web development.

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Copyright 1997-2003. All rights reserved. Webgenz is a trademark. Last updated: Monday, March 08, 2004