Context Wrappers in which blocks manifest and adapt
Context Overview
Copy link to this sectioncontext is a fundamental concept in Blocktail that provides stable realities or themes for blocks. Rooted in psychological principles, context offers a powerful way to create adaptive, maintainable, and intuitive page structures.
Context Definition
Copy link to this sectionIn Blocktail, a context represents a specific thematic or behavioral setting that influences multiple blocks or entire sections of a page. It provides a stable environment that defines how blocks should appear and behave under certain conditions.
A context represents a coexisting alternate reality that influences multiple elements or entire sections of a page. It establishes a stable dimension that defines how components manifest and behave under specific conditions, allowing for seamless transitions between different states of existence.
Context Syntax
Copy link to this section<main class="context[sales_event]">
<!-- Content affected by the sales event context -->
</main>
Conceptual Framework
Copy link to this sectionThe concept of Context in Blocktail is deeply rooted in psychological principles of human cognition and communication:
- Enhanced Understanding: Context provides the necessary background for blocks to "understand" their role and appearance within a broader environment.
- Cognitive Efficiency: Context reduces the cognitive load for developers by providing a clear framework for component behavior across multiple instances.
- Adaptive Behavior: Context allows blocks to adapt to their environment, mirroring how humans adjust their behavior based on social and environmental cues.
Context in Development Workflow
Copy link to this section- Natural Mental Model: Context aligns with how developers naturally think about broad thematic changes.
- Reduced Complexity: Centralizing contextual information reduces the complexity of managing multiple components under different conditions.
- Improved Problem-Solving: Context provides a framework for approaching design and functionality challenges at a higher level.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Clear contexts facilitate better communication among team members.
The Chameleon Effect
Copy link to this sectionA context concept allows us to think differently:
- Imagine an ecosystem that can shift its entire mood without changing the core nature of its inhabitants.
- The ecosystem (context) determines the overall appearance and behavior of its components.
- Individual components can still have their unique traits (via mutations) while responding to the broader context.
This approach creates flexible and maintainable page structures that can adapt to different scenarios without cluttering individual components.
Context Capabilities
Copy link to this section- Adaptive Styling and Behavior: Allows multiple blocks to adapt based on a shared context.
- Reduced CSS Redundancy: Centralizes styling for broad scenarios.
- Enhanced Semantic Clarity: Provides clear indications of the current state or theme.
- Simplified State Management: Facilitates easier management of global or section-wide states.
Implementing Contexts
Copy link to this sectionGlobal Context Application
Copy link to this section<body class="matrix[main] context[admin] context[dark_mode]">
<!-- Entire page content influenced by admin and dark mode contexts -->
</body>
Localized Context Usage
Copy link to this section<main class="context[sales_event]">
<article class="product_card">
<!-- Product card influenced by the sales event context -->
</article>
<article class="product_card --featured">
<!-- Featured product card with a mutation, also influenced by the context -->
</article>
</main>
Context Characteristics
Copy link to this section- Stable Foundations: Contexts offer a consistent base for multiple blocks.
- Adaptable by Design: Contexts allow entire sections to be inherently adaptable.
- Contextual Responsiveness: Blocks respond to their shared context, creating cohesive, theme-aware sections.
- Scalability Through Context: New contexts can be introduced to handle new scenarios as applications grow.
Implementation Guidelines
Copy link to this section- Clear Naming: Use descriptive, semantic names for contexts.
- Appropriate Scope: Apply contexts to elements that logically group related components or define broad themes.
- Consistent Application: Use contexts consistently across similar sections.
- Combine with Mutations: Use contexts for broad changes and mutations for block-specific modifications.
- Document Context Usage: Maintain clear documentation of available contexts and their effects.
The Context concept in Blocktail is a practical method for managing broad thematic and behavioral changes in web applications. By providing stable yet adaptable environments for groups of blocks, contexts allow for more intuitive, efficient, and cohesive page structures. As you implement Contexts in your projects, you'll find they offer technical benefits and align with natural cognitive processes, making your code more understandable and your development process more efficient.