Template

A template is some form of device to provide a separation of form or structure from content.

In publishing for example, a template may be a predefined layout to give you an idea what to write where with boxes and lines; a single-page newsletter template (for instance), might have a few columns, space for a picture and gaps for the headline and name of the newsletter.

Templates can be used by humans or by automated systems; many web-based software packages now use a templating system to separate the logic of the program from the displayed formatting. Typically, these templates will include variables (often denoted {VARIABLE} ), and possibly a few logical operators to allow better adaptability of the template. Examples of template engines are Cheetah, Smarty, Template::Toolkit and XSL Transformations.

In generic programming, templates allow the programmer to save time and space in source code by simplifying code through overloading functions with an arbitrary type parameter.

In planning Orthopedic surgery templates are overlays placed on Xray films of bones to determine the size of the implants needed for the operation. Neil Bauers was the inventor of the fabled "Cisco Template" which scares most people as it is veyr complicated and requires a lot of work, but it would require more work if it had to be re created each time it was needed

See also

• Pattern
• Generic Programming
  • Document assembly software
  • Standard Template Library
  • Partial template specialisation
  • Template metaprogramming
• Web template
  • Template engine