Dialogs Framework Basic Concepts
Dialogs Basic Concepts
Updated: 21 Apr 2023
Dialogs is a website development framework that provides a solid foundation for building content-managed, dynamic websites. Dialogs is software that is installed on an internet host (webserver) and manages the construction and ongoing maintenance of the website ("back-end" experience) as well as the incoming requests for dynamically constructed webpages ("front-end" experience). Key Dialogs Concepts:
- Dialogs separates content from design. Content is entered into and maintained in Dialogs Lists. Design (HTML/CSS/JS) is "skinned" into Dialogs Templates.
- Dialogs is a framework designed for professional web developers. It is easy for the professional to use but that ease of use does not come at the expense of restrictions or reduced flexibility.
- All Dialogs configuration and customization may be conducted via a browser-based Control Panel.
- Page Templates and Automation scripts may also be maintained via FTP, supporting the use of popular IDEs and text editors like Eclipse, Dreamweaver, Sublime, or Coda.
There are a variety of ways to organize content in Dialogs. Most Dialogs websites have page-level content easily entered into the Pages List. The real power of Dialogs is derived by organizing content into additional, customized Lists. Dialogs Lists are content containers (database tables) with developer configured fields (database columns). List items may be tagged so the list items can appear with related content. Lists (or individual List items) may be re-used on multiple pages throughout a website. Each appearance of re-used content can have its own unique design or formatting as defined by one or more templates. Lists can control textual content, graphic content, or entire content areas such as banners or badges. Successful Dialogs websites leverage the power of Dialogs Lists and benefit heavily from a thorough information architecture.
Implementing a Dialogs website involves the following steps:
- Installation. Dialogs is installed by the developer (or by Dialogs) on a Linux host and configured to access a MySQL database.
- Configuration. The website information architecture is the blueprint the developer follows to set up pages, to set up page groups (optionally), and to deploy and configure Dialogs Lists.
- Skinning. Website design (in the form of HTML, CSS, and images) is "skinned" by the developer into a series of Dialogs templates. Design skinning is conducted during initial site development; on-going skinning of new design elements may be unnecessary but is certainly possible.
- Content Entry. The website text and accent media is entered by the content maintainer into Dialogs by filling out simple content entry forms. Content entry is an initial and on-going process and is frequently conducted by the site-owner and/or the agency. Dialogs Control Panel Interface describes content entry basics.
- Customization. (optional) Dialogs functionality is easily extended when needed. Customization typically involves php and/or javascript coding. Simple websites typically do not require customization. Key points about Dialogs Customization:
- For security purposes, PHP code is NOT permitted in content commonly edited by "content editors" and is therefore not allowed to be directly inserted into fields on Lists (including the Pages List).
- Javascript code MAY be included in the Head field of each Page.
- PHP and Javascript code is permitted in Page Templates, List templates, Page Automation and List Automation scripts.
- Developers can place custom functions to be called by Dialogs in
/inc/cust_functions.inc.php, as it is automatically included. - Many commonly used string and database manipulation functions are built-in to Dialogs and described in the Dialogs Function Reference. Developers should use these functions where possible.