Items#
Within Miva’s page templates, items stand as the fundamental building blocks, providing essential functionality and customization options.
Items represent pivotal components within Miva’s templates, offering specialized functionality tailored to specific templates. They are integral to the template architecture, empowering developers to incorporate diverse features and interactions seamlessly into their online storefronts.
In practical terms, items are references to compiled module files (mvc files) that encapsulate specific functionality. For instance, the Store item, referencing the stdstorefields module, provides essential store information, such as the store name and address that are set in the store settings. Additionally, item tags come in various forms, including self-closing tags, tags with parameters, and tags with opening and closing elements, each serving distinct purposes within the page template.
Types of Items#
Miva Merchant distinguishes between two types of items: built-in items and third-party items. While both serve similar purposes, built-in items are part of the core software, whereas third-party items are developed by external contributors. Regardless of their origin, both types of items enrich the platform’s capabilities, providing developers with extensive options for enhancing their online stores.
Assignment and Functionality#
Items must be assigned to a page before their functionality becomes accessible within the page template. Each page/layout/fragment features an “Items” tab, displaying a list of assigned items and enabling administrators to manage and customize their functionality efficiently. Once assigned, items offer a wide array of features, including item tags and variables, which can be leveraged within the page template to achieve desired outcomes. In Miva Version 10.08.00 and newer Items assigned to a page template are branch specific.
Item Tags#
Item tags serve as the gateway to accessing an item’s functionality within the page template. They allow developers to embed dynamic content, execute functions, and manipulate page elements effectively. By employing item tags strategically, developers can harness the full potential of items to create engaging and interactive user experiences.
Implementation#
Within the Miva Merchant Admin interface, administrators can assign and manage items under the User Interface > Templates section. By navigating to the respective page/layout/fragment template, administrators can visualize the assigned items and their associated functionality.
Summary#
Items play a pivotal role in shaping the functionality and appearance of Miva Merchant’s page templates. By understanding the nuances of items, developers and administrators can harness their power to create dynamic, user-centric online storefronts. Whether integrating built-in items or leveraging third-party solutions, items provide a versatile toolkit for crafting compelling e-commerce experiences.