lMaker is a PHP class that allows for easy website creation, designed for both web masters and programmers.
By utilizing lMaker to generate web pages on the fly from text files, users can reduce the amount of data in files they have to maintain by up to four times. Originally developed for handling repetitive elements of HTML markup for long lists of links commonly found in site maps, portals, and site indexes, lMaker has evolved into a comprehensive tool for generating entire websites.
One of its key features is its ability to maintain a consistent look and feel, including persistent navigation areas, among multiple pages without resorting to frames. Research shows that frames negatively impact website usability by disrupting the user model of web pages and affecting functionality such as bookmarking and search engine optimization.
Fundamental concepts of lMaker include generating web pages by processing plain tab-delimited text files that follow specific keyword patterns. Users define views, output modes, and links in their text files, and lMaker outputs HTML markup according to the current mode. Specific keyword sequence and order matter, and it is important to understand how keywords function to generate optimal output.
Leveraging lMaker's systematic approach can greatly reduce the staffing needed to maintain many complex websites. The complete documentation for each of the defined keywords is available on the project website. The latest release boasts new features such as an additional function for improved handling of input files.
Version 1.11: N/A