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API code blocks - Master Theme file?

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nnguyen

New Around Here

Posts: 6

6/17/2024 1:10 PM

Hello again DNN Community!

I have a custom theme (more on this below) with layouts that use code blocks referencing the DNN API. I'd like to centralize these code blocks since I apply them across all of the layouts.

Code examples:

And

<% If Not DotNetNuke.Security.PortalSecurity.IsInRole("Administrators") Then %>

Instead of applying this logic/code in each layout, I'd like to stick them in a "master" file that can be referenced in each layout. This makes potential changes in the future much easier to implement since I'll just need to update one file instead of each individual layout. I'd also be open to applying something like this Portal-wide, but I'm not quite sure how to implement that either.

Additional backstory: The custom theme I'm using started from a simple copy of the default Xcillion skin/theme. I've often ran into 500 errors when trying to implement solutions for my predicament. I'm concerned that maybe it stems from me creating my current theme from a copy, instead of building it out as a DNN Theme in Visual Studio from scratch.

Appreciate your expertise and help!

Daniel Valadas

Advanced Member

Posts: 232

6/17/2024 2:39 PM

You can technically have an assembly (.dll) with your theme, you just need to compile it and declare it in your manifest for installation. There you can have all kinds of reusable functions which can also include controls you can reuse. It is not technically wrong to copy the default theme, just make sure to change the folder names and if packaging to change all unique names in the manifest too. My preference is to start from scratch though, Xcillion is not the most modern. If you want something more documented there are other theme templates around that are better suited to start a new theme:

https://www.nvquicktheme.com/
Very popular and nicely documented

https://github.com/eraware/Eraware.MinimalSkin
My own very minimal one, focuses on build/automation but is very barebone.

David Poindexter

Veteran Member

Posts: 342

6/17/2024 4:23 PM

In the nvQuickTheme repo, you will see an example of how you could dynamically load "partial" layouts based on the desired custom logic.

https://github.com/nvisio...develop/default.ascx

While the above does not have the custom logic, I think you have that part figured out. ;-)

Hopefully this concept of "partial" layouts helps you out.

nnguyen

New Around Here

Posts: 6

6/18/2024 11:13 AM

This is really helpful -- I'll look into both of these themes.

Thank you Daniel and David!

David Poindexter

Veteran Member

Posts: 342

6/18/2024 4:29 PM

You are most welcome!

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