Tool to convert v2 template files to v3

[Frederico Caldeira Knabben]

While we don't have a plugin to load XML for templates (a la v2) (see #3588), we should at least provide a tool that makes it easier to convert old v2 templates to the new js v3 format.

[Frederico Caldeira Knabben]

This is a first proposal for this tool. We could keep it on the _dev folder, and also make it available in a public address so the documentation can point to it and users would be able to use it online as well.

[Frederico Caldeira Knabben]

Note that this patch depends on #6197.

[Garry Yao]

Vote for delivering such utility as dev script instead of web pages.

[Frederico Caldeira Knabben]

-1 to have it as dev script:

• It would be harder for people to use it.
• It would not be possible to have it as a page on the web, reachable by everybody, independent on the platform.

This is a first proposal. A script tool could be also considered in the future, but there is no reason to block this one because of this, considering that it has been already fully developed.

[Sa'ar Zac Elias]

I also think this tool should not be a dev script.
Well I don't see any problems with the converter, just a bit of cosmetic:

• It'll be a good idea to fill the <title> tag.
• If the XML is invalid, the thrown message is The <Templates> node was not found. IMHO it should be something like "The XML file is not valid.".

[Frederico Caldeira Knabben]

The new patch has the <title> element filled.

The original XML error, sent from the parser, is still there, because it can help understand what exactly is wrong, instead of a generic message. I've changed the message a bit.

[Garry Yao]

1. JS string output are not properly escaped, e.g. line break and single quote;
2. Browser compatibility, breaks in IE9 actually

The reason I don't like ad-hoc script also because the structure (formatting and semantic) are entirely hard encoded and thus would bring a maintenance issue later.

Finally, the reason that I don't like browser's XML API is that it's way complicated to code when comparing with a server-side ​version of the ​same functionality.

[Frederico Caldeira Knabben]

@Garry, at your choice, we'll be delivering anything to our users at this time so. Please feel free the take the ticket ownership anytime in the future.

[Frederico Caldeira Knabben]

If anyone is still interested in this feature, please feel free to reopen this ticket and provide a possible solution for it.