Modern Campus Catalog Emblem Modern Campus CMS Emblem Modern Campus Curriculum Emblem Modern Campus Involve Emblem Modern Campus Lifelong Learning Extended Education Emblem Modern Campus Message Emblem Modern Campus Navigate Emblem Modern Campus Schedule Emblem Modern Campus Virtual Tours & Maps Emblem Modern Campus Lifelong Learning Workfore and Community Emblem Site Menu Open Site Menu Close

TCFs

TCFs, or Template Control Files, contain instructions for building out a new page, file, or section, and create the form that user fill out when creating a new page. These files have the extension .tcf and are edited in the source editor. TCF files specify which form fields will be presented during the new template creation, whether a new folder should be created, which TMPL files will be utilized, and what actions should be taken on a navigation file.

TCFs must begin with a prolog and all -list nodes must be wrapped in a <tcf>node. There are four possible -list nodes which can be included in a TCF.

Variable ListLink to this section

The <variable-list> node contains <variable> elements. Each <variable> element specifies a form field prompt which displays during the new template creation. There is no limit to the number of <variable> elements listed, save for usability. Inputs from the form fields created by <variable> elements can pass text, asset, asset, or file path values to the source code of the TMPL or to an RSS item.

Here is an example of a variable list in a TCF:

<variable-list>
	<!-- general page setup -->
	<variable section="General Page Setup" name="title" type="text" prompt="Page Title" alt="Required Field. Enter the page title. This will be used by search engines and will also display below the breadcrumb.">Page Title</variable>
	<variable name="description" type="text" rows="3" prompt="Description" alt="Important. Enter a short description of the page, to be displayed by search engines."></variable>
	<variable name="keywords" type="text" rows="3" prompt="Keywords" alt="Add keywords to describe key topics on your page. (For limited SEO purposes)."></variable>
	<variable name="tags" type="tag" prompt="Tags" alt="Choose Tags to be added to the page. These can be updated in page properties to add more later."></variable>

	<variable section="File Configuration" name="autonavigation" prompt="Add Navigation Item" type="select" alt="Specify if a link to this page should be added to the navigation. Note that both files need to be published after creation.">
		<option value="true">Yes</option>
		<option value="false">No</option>
	</variable>
	<!-- A safer way to create a file, forces PCF file extension -->
	<variable name="pcf-filename" prompt="Filename" alt="Enter a filename using only lowercase letters, underscores, or dashes">untitled</variable>
	<variable name="tcfname" type="text" display="none">interior.tcf</variable>
</variable-list>

And this is the form a user creating a new page would see:

A screenshot of the fields a user fills out when creating a new page, such as page title, description, keywords, and file name.

Template ListLink to this section

The <template-list> node contains <template> elements. Each <template> element specifies a TMPL file which will be used during the new template creation. There is no limit to the number of <template> elements listed. TCFs which generate new sections often have multiple <template> elements allowing for the creation of multiple files. Many implementations include creation of an index page, a side navigation file, and a props file, though this varies based upon your website design. More than one TCF can point back to the same TMPL. Attributes defined in a <template> element can toggle the display of system generated form fields (for example overwrite or access group) as well as define the value for these fields.

Here is an example of a template list in a TCF:

<template-list>
	<template 
		prompt-prefix="File"
		filename="{pcf-filename}"
		display-filename="no"
		extension="pcf"
		preferred-redirect="yes"
		tags="{tags}"
		autonav="{autonavigation}">interior.tmpl</template>
</template-list>

This template list combines values entered into the TCF (values enclosed by {curly brackets}) with the TMPL specified (interior.tmpl) to create a PCF.

Directory ListLink to this section

The <directory-list> node contains <parent> elements. Each <parent> element specifies the path to a specific folder. Contained within each <parent> element are <directory> elements. Each <directory> element defines a new folder to be created during new template creation. TCFs which generate new sections define the new folder using a <directory> element. A directory list is not required for a functional TCF.

Here is an example of a directory list in a TCF:

<directory-list>
	<parent name="current_folder" path=".">
		<directory name="new-folder" template-group="*inherit*">folder_name</directory>
	</parent>
</directory-list>

This will generate a folder in the current directory (path="." ), named folder_name, which will inherit the template group assigned to its parent folder (template-group="*inherit*").

To assign a variable name from the variable list to the newly generated folder, enclose the variable name in {curly braces}, like so:

<directory name="new-folder" template-group="*inherit*">{variable-name}</directory>

The <navigation-list> node contains <navigation> elements. Each <navigation> element specifies an action, or lack thereof, to be taken. While multiple <navigation> elements can be included, only one will be executed during the new template creation. For many implementations, there is an "Add Navigation Item" dropdown in the <variable-list>. There are then two <navigation> elements; one to be executed if the dropdown was set to "yes," and a second to execute if the dropdown was set to "no."

Here is an example of a navigation list in a TCF:

<navigation-list>
	<!-- navigation options and link style -->
	<include>_navigationlist.inc</include>
</navigation-list>

This example adds a navigation item to _navigationlist.inc, should the editor filling out the TCF choose to create a new navigation item.

By continuing to use this site, you agree to the storing of first- and third-party cookies on your device to enhance site navigation; analyze site, product, and service usage; and assist in our marketing and promotional efforts. Cookie Policy