http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=30891

jeffa has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hmmm, this is tricky so here goes . . .
I have a friend that is working for this company that makes web pages - right now, this company is using a concocted version of embedded perl by using eval in their web engine: perl code is used on the HTML pages (contained in delimiters) - the code is extracted from the page and 'eval'ed.

Personally, I think this is a BAD thing. I would like to suggest some changes for my friend and his/her company, maybe HTML::Mason or HTML::EmbPerl . . .

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I have not used either (but plan to real soon).

The hardest part will be to convince this company to give up their evil ways and see the light.
(insert holy-sounding chord here)

Jeff

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: mason and embperl
by JanneVee (Friar) on Sep 02, 2000 at 23:17 UTC
    There are a number of Reasons to use Mason and EmbPerl. But the most important I can find. Security! And as I see the other benefits. Stability!

    The most important reason for a company to give up a eval:ing thing. Support!

    But these are just opinions!

    JanneVee

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        I surprised you didn't recommend COBOLScript.

        My eloquent defense was based on the principle of what certain things are made for. COBOL -> heavy business processing. Perl -> process large amounts of information.

        This means that for HTML templating I think that Perl is better suited than COBOL for the particular task.

        Actually I don't like COBOL either, I just believe it has a place like FORTRAN.

        /JanneVee

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Re: mason and embperl
by merlyn (Sage) on Sep 02, 2000 at 23:15 UTC
    There are so many good solutions in the CPAN, that a roll-your-own templating system doesn't make much sense any more.

    Personally, I'd look at HTML::Mason (which I'm using on stonehenge.com), or Template Toolkit, which I'm thinking about using in a big way.

    -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker

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Re: mason and embperl
by gregorovius (Friar) on Sep 03, 2000 at 10:49 UTC
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Re: mason and embperl
by doran (Deacon) on Sep 03, 2000 at 05:29 UTC
    You might also want to check out HTML::Template at CPAN.
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Re: mason and embperl
by Maclir (Curate) on Sep 04, 2000 at 01:37 UTC
    We are using EmbPerl here - in conjunction with mod_perl. It works well, there is adequate seperation between HTML and program logic, performance is good, and support is brilliant. I have looked briefly at Mason, and I believe long term this will be the way to go . . . just not ready to make the jump yet.
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Re: mason and embperl
by geektron (Curate) on Sep 05, 2001 at 22:11 UTC
    it's a little late in the replies, but there's also an article on perl.com on choosing a templating system. it's very close ( if not identical ) to the talk Mr. Harkin gave at TPC5.

    it goes through most of the major templating systems already on CPAN and gives some condensed info on each of them. might help with the decision.

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