With SDL Tridion (R)5.3 and the introduction of Modular/Compound Templates, the way of doing templates as radically changed, no longer we had to use an old and obsolete technology such as VBScript. We could finally use .NET and Visual Studio to write template code as well as introduce “new” technologies such as XSLT with the help of Mediators (see XSLT Mediator).
One of the biggest advantages of this change is the ability to reuse existing code in a structured and clear way. Logic can be placed in dedicated classes, OO concepts can be leveraged for inheritance, encapsulation and more.
This led to the TemplateBase class which I and many others have been using for several years now. Around it I have also grouped additional classes to support reuse of common functionality that can be carried from one implementation project to another. This is known as the Templating Base Project.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Templatebase class and the Templating Base Project I suggest you hurry and get yourself over to SDLTridionWorld.com and download the code now – Template Base Project
However, its been more than a year since the last update to the project and I feel like it’s definitely time for some improvements and additions.
So I plan on working on a new version of the base project in the next couple of weeks (if time permits of course) and I’m very hopeful to get it out soon before I put more of my energy into the upcoming release of Tridion 2011.
What I would like YOU to do is share any ideas, thoughts or pieces of code you feel should go into the new version of the project. Anything that you think can help other developers hit the ground running when starting a new implementation would be very useful.
I’m considering putting the project on Codeplex or github so if you think it’s a good idea and would like to contribute that way please let me know.
Any additional thoughts or suggestions are highly appreciated and welcomed.
Life of a geek and a part-time poet 
Hi Yoav,
We’ve added a number of additional methods to TemplateBase over the last couple of years in partial classes and updated a few of the existing methods to make them more generic, which I’m more than happy to contribute.
I think adding it to Codeplex would be a great idea – we need a central repository to allow easy maintenance of the solution.
Perhaps somewhere central for custom mediators too (something I thought we’d see more of)? I did start a mediator based on the same syntax as the spark view engine (http://sparkviewengine.com/) but haven’t had the time to get it working.
– Jonathan
Unfortunately I don’t think I have anything specific to add regarding the TemplateBase project, although I’ll check my images to see if there’s anything I can find.
There was talk at the MVP retreat about using an internet-based source code repository for storing the GUI extensions we were working on. I definitely like the idea – what’s missing from the current community is the ability for the community to update extensions, particularly where bug fixes are concerned. I say “do it!” 😉
Hi Yoav,
Recently started using this base project. In the coming period I am planning to use it intensively.
I’m sure I’d like to see functionality added to the templating base project. Will keep you informed.
-Albert
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hello
do you know what this could mean ?
JScriptException: Expression ‘RenderComponentPresentation(“tcm:25-11891”, “tcm:25-451-32”)’ had error ‘Could not find mediator for template type: text/xml’
thank you
Hi Adrian. It looks like one of you component templates(tcm:25-451-32) is using an XSLT TBB without having a mediator configured to handle it. You should either remove the TBB if youre not intending to use it or check out my XSLT Mediator tutorials: https://yoavniran.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/implementing-the-xslt-mediator-part-1/
Hi I’m also getting this same error message.
JScriptException: Expression ‘RenderComponentPresentation()’ had error ‘Could not find mediator for template type: text/xml’
I did configured, it’s working fine when I did publishing only on parent website. If I did publish on child also getting failed.
If I preview no issue, mediator is working fine. If I publish bulk it’s getting failed. Only getting success one by article publishing english and arabic components.
Because I did added new mediator function for generate thumnail image croping.
Where ever my page, or DCP using this mediator it’s this issue when I did publish bulk.
Please help us find this issue