Flat/file based html/css

[Webfish]

Hello community... sorry If I post in the wrong category.

Is there any way to get a flat base layout (templates, stylesheet) rathen than saving them on the online database?
It's easier to edit a file with some kind of IDE than a textarea.

[Jeff]

Take a look at template externalizer.
http://dev.cmsmadesimple.org/projects/externalizer

[Webfish]

I see.. thanks for the quick reply
As it seems, it's just an copier and importer tool.
You cannot edit/save/done with online IDE

[jmcgin51]

You cannot edit/save/done with online IDE

What do you mean?  Turn on the Template Externalizer, this exports your templates to a specified directory.  Then use your IDE to open the template, edit it, save it, and your updates are automatically imported into CMSMS (I believe after a specified time, IIRC).

[Webfish]

If I read correctly, in order to update the template/stylesheet records in the database I have to go to "Developer Mode On", make changes, save, then go to "Developer Mode Off", check if everything is OK, if not, changing back to "Developer Mode ON" etc...

A file based system just make changes and refresh, make changes and refresh.. much faster.

Correct me if I am wrong.

PS: CodeMirror could be useful but not 100% best solution

[jmcgin51]

you are correct.  You can also set a timeout for Developer Mode, so that you do not have to manually turn it off.  But for certain things, the db-based templates may not be as convenient as file-based templates.

[Webfish]

There should be a way... CMSms uses .tpl with Menu Manager... I'm just not familiar enough with the core so I can modify something...

Any ideas are welcomed

[Jeff]

If I read correctly, in order to update the template/stylesheet records in the database I have to go to "Developer Mode On", make changes, save, then go to "Developer Mode Off", check if everything is OK, if not, changing back to "Developer Mode ON" etc...

A file based system just make changes and refresh, make changes and refresh.. much faster.

Correct me if I am wrong.

PS: CodeMirror could be useful but not 100% best solution

No, you are incorrect. As long as "Developer Mode" is ON the template files are check for changes. You don't have to turn it off to check if everything is OK, you just reload your pages (you might have to turn off caching). If don't want Developer Mode to turn off (like on at test/dev site) set the timer to 0.