TEA/TUG + ALDOT(Mobile) = H(O+I) The TEA/TUG being hosted by ALDOT in Mobile causes Hurricanes to...

TEA/TUG + ALDOT(Mobile) = H(O+I)TEA/TUG + ALDOT(Mobile) = H(O+I)

The TEA/TUG being hosted by ALDOT in The TEA/TUG being hosted by ALDOT in Mobile causes Hurricanes to come to Mobile causes Hurricanes to come to Alabama.Alabama.

Opal – October 4, 1995Opal – October 4, 1995(A couple of days before the CEW/BUG)(A couple of days before the CEW/BUG)

Ivan - September 16, 2004Ivan - September 16, 2004(Three weeks before the TEA/TUG)(Three weeks before the TEA/TUG)

Web Pages from RTFWeb Pages from RTF in the Alabama DOT in the Alabama DOT

Andy CrenshawAndy Crenshaw

Alabama DOTAlabama DOT

2004 Trns2004 Trns·port User Group·port User Group

October 15, 2004October 15, 2004

OverviewOverview

Definitions Definitions

How to write a custom template to generate How to write a custom template to generate HTMLHTML

How to get the files from the Process How to get the files from the Process Window in TRNSWindow in TRNS·PORT to the web server·PORT to the web server

Web Pages that ALDOT generates from Web Pages that ALDOT generates from RTFRTF

What is a . . .What is a . . .

HTML File - A simple text file that contains HTML File - A simple text file that contains HTML tags that tells a web browser how to HTML tags that tells a web browser how to display the information as a web page.display the information as a web page.

RTF Output File – A simple text file RTF Output File – A simple text file generated from the Report Template Facility generated from the Report Template Facility in a TRNSPORT modulein a TRNSPORT module

What is a . . .What is a . . .

HTML File - HTML File - A simple text fileA simple text file that contains that contains HTML tags that tells a web browser how to HTML tags that tells a web browser how to display the information as a web page.display the information as a web page.

RTF Output File – RTF Output File – A simple text fileA simple text file generated from the Report Template Facility generated from the Report Template Facility in a TRNSPORT module.in a TRNSPORT module.

Since you would want Since you would want to show each web to show each web page in the same way, page in the same way, why not let RTF build why not let RTF build the HTML (code) the HTML (code) pages for you.pages for you.

I have some bad newsI have some bad news

Time does not permit Time does not permit me to give you a full me to give you a full class in HTML.class in HTML.

For more on HTML go For more on HTML go to your favorite search to your favorite search engine, and search for engine, and search for “HTML Tags”. “HTML Tags”.

But a quick Lesson in HTML But a quick Lesson in HTML If you Don’t KnowIf you Don’t Know

All HTML tags are enclosed in < >All HTML tags are enclosed in < >

Most all HTML tags are like parenthesis, you code Most all HTML tags are like parenthesis, you code an HTML tag to begin the desired formatting, and an HTML tag to begin the desired formatting, and repeat the code preceded with a slash to end the repeat the code preceded with a slash to end the formatting. “</formatting. “</{html code}>{html code}>

Example in HTML code: Example in HTML code:

See Spot Run. See Spot Run.

Would appear in the web browser as: Would appear in the web browser as: See Spot RunSee Spot Run

A Quick List 0f HTML TagsA Quick List 0f HTML Tags

 Underline Underline Bold Bold Italics Italics <Title> Title Bar<Title> Title Bar <PRE> Pre-Format <PRE> Pre-Format <HTML> Begins Code<HTML> Begins Code <a href=“website”> <a href=“website”>

HyperlinkHyperlink

<Table> Table<Table> Table <TR> Table Row<TR> Table Row <TD> Table Element<TD> Table Element <CENTER> Centers <CENTER> Centers

on the page.on the page.

Things to consider when writing an Things to consider when writing an RTF template to generate HTML RTF template to generate HTML

tags for a webpage.tags for a webpage.

You probably want a consistent format for You probably want a consistent format for whatever repetitive (Lettings, Calls in a whatever repetitive (Lettings, Calls in a Letting, Planholders, Bidder’s, etc.) Letting, Planholders, Bidder’s, etc.) information you want to display.information you want to display.

Remember that the HTML tags are “static” Remember that the HTML tags are “static” (They will be in the same place every time).(They will be in the same place every time).

Develop a Prototype Web PageDevelop a Prototype Web Page1.1. Learn some of the basics of HTML.Learn some of the basics of HTML.2.2. Save a notepad document with an “.htm” Save a notepad document with an “.htm”

extension, then minimize notepad.extension, then minimize notepad.3.3. Open the prototype in your browser.Open the prototype in your browser.4.4. Look at the results, noting the changes that you Look at the results, noting the changes that you

need to make.need to make.5.5. Maximize Notepad make your changes.Maximize Notepad make your changes.6.6. Return to your browser, and request a Page Return to your browser, and request a Page

Refresh ([F5] in Internet Explorer).Refresh ([F5] in Internet Explorer).7.7. Repeat 5 & 6 as needed to refine your Repeat 5 & 6 as needed to refine your

prototype.prototype.

Develop a Prototype Web PageDevelop a Prototype Web Page

Keep your prototype and your final Keep your prototype and your final development simple. A lot of what you see development simple. A lot of what you see when you look at HTML source is “fluff”.when you look at HTML source is “fluff”.

When dealing with multiple detail records When dealing with multiple detail records get the first line like you want it before you get the first line like you want it before you start adding multiple lines. start adding multiple lines.

Repeat the first line when doing multiple Repeat the first line when doing multiple lines in your prototype, as you are looking at lines in your prototype, as you are looking at how the repetitive data will appear.how the repetitive data will appear.

Develop Prototype (continued)Develop Prototype (continued)

If you are linking pages, work out the links to If you are linking pages, work out the links to other pages in your prototype, because other pages in your prototype, because those links or series of links should be those links or series of links should be consistent within the web site.consistent within the web site.

Also, work on the RTF Template.Also, work on the RTF Template.

Work on the underlying code that will get the Work on the underlying code that will get the output ready to display. Have it go ahead output ready to display. Have it go ahead and display what you are eventually going to and display what you are eventually going to want to show on the web page. Your main want to show on the web page. Your main emphasis in this effort is the RTF . . .emphasis in this effort is the RTF . . .

““Repeats” (Loops)Repeats” (Loops) ““Lets” (Variables)Lets” (Variables) ““Sets” (Value SettingSets” (Value Setting))

Use some of the recent features of RTFUse some of the recent features of RTF..

Set Output {filename}Set Output {filename}

We use “Set Output” within a repeat to We use “Set Output” within a repeat to generate a file for each call in the letting. We generate a file for each call in the letting. We

pass the letting date in mmddyy format to be pass the letting date in mmddyy format to be concatenated with “C” and the call number concatenated with “C” and the call number to generate a file for each call in the letting.to generate a file for each call in the letting.

101504C023 101504C023 (Call 23 in today’s letting.)(Call 23 in today’s letting.)

Get the template ready.Get the template ready.

It’s very important to get the template ready It’s very important to get the template ready to display the variables that will be on the to display the variables that will be on the web pages. They don’t have to be in a final web pages. They don’t have to be in a final format, just make sure that all of your “lets”, format, just make sure that all of your “lets”, “sets” and “repeats” work as you want them “sets” and “repeats” work as you want them to work.to work.

Merge the Prototype webpage with Merge the Prototype webpage with the RTF template.the RTF template.

Copy in the HTML code, with the sample Copy in the HTML code, with the sample data into the RTF template where it can pick data into the RTF template where it can pick up the variables that were “repeated”, “let” up the variables that were “repeated”, “let” or “set”. (Remember that your HTML is or “set”. (Remember that your HTML is static code).static code).

Change the “sample data” to variable Change the “sample data” to variable names. “&{name}”.names. “&{name}”.

Test and Debug.Test and Debug.

Sometimes you have to allow for Sometimes you have to allow for things.things.

You will need to allow for long strings in your You will need to allow for long strings in your HTML code. What we usually do, is in the HTML code. What we usually do, is in the case of putting an Item Description in a table case of putting an Item Description in a table is to write it as follows;is to write it as follows;

<TR><TD><TR><TD>&itemdescr&itemdescr</TD></TD> HTML code trims any extra spaces beyond HTML code trims any extra spaces beyond

double spacing.double spacing.

Test and Debug the Web Page Test and Debug the Web Page GeneratorGenerator

RTF Template (make sure the template is RTF Template (make sure the template is giving you what the web browser needs).giving you what the web browser needs).

The actual Web Page or Pages themselvesThe actual Web Page or Pages themselves

Test using at least Internet Explorer and Test using at least Internet Explorer and Netscape, as different browsers handle Netscape, as different browsers handle things differently.things differently.

RTF Output to WRTF Output to Web Servereb Server

Basic Web PublishingBasic Web Publishing

Content Management SystemsContent Management Systems

Basic Web PublishingBasic Web Publishing

Save files to a staging area and test links Save files to a staging area and test links and pages.and pages.

Highlight web pages you wish to load Highlight web pages you wish to load (publish) to the Web.(publish) to the Web.

Select Copy.Select Copy. Move to “Production Folder” on web server Move to “Production Folder” on web server

and paste.and paste.

Content Management SystemsContent Management Systems

Open File in TrnsOpen File in Trns·port ·port Process File Viewer.Process File Viewer. Open web page editor in Content Open web page editor in Content

Management system.Management system. Turn on the HTML editor in Content Turn on the HTML editor in Content

Management.Management. Return to file in Process Viewer “Select All” Return to file in Process Viewer “Select All”

[Ctrl+A], “Copy” [Ctrl+C] [Ctrl+A], “Copy” [Ctrl+C] Paste copied data into HTML editor for Paste copied data into HTML editor for

Content Management.Content Management.

Web Pages that ALDOTWeb Pages that ALDOT Generates from RTF Generates from RTF

List of Proposals In the LettingList of Proposals In the LettingShows the list of Proposals plus the Proposal Header Info.Shows the list of Proposals plus the Proposal Header Info.

Individual Proposal PagesIndividual Proposal PagesRepeats the Proposal Header Information, plus a list of Repeats the Proposal Header Information, plus a list of itemsitems

Bidder’s ListBidder’s ListList of Bidding Proposal Holders List of Bidding Proposal Holders

““As Read” BidsAs Read” Bids““Shell” for entry on Letting DayShell” for entry on Letting Day

List of Proposals

Individual Proposal

Bidder’s List

“As Read” Bids

Questions?Questions?

e-mail [email protected] [email protected]

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