I don’t know why but only few {third-part} Joomla! developers use patTemplate variables: this library is available in both Joomla! 1.0.x/1.5.x so I really don’t understand why it’s not widely used (I didn’t use it in my early components but I’ve definitely started using it). A simple example is available on their website. If I’m not wrong, even Joseph LeBlanc didn’t write about it in his book (which I’ve previously described).

The patTemplate library is marked deprecated in Joomla! 1.5 and will likely be removed in the next version.
Johan Janssens
Joomla! Lead Developer.
Johan: with “next version” do you mean 1.5 or even later? :) Thanks, though.
I vaguely remember when patTemplate was added (back in the Mambo days, IIRC) and it had promise, but just ended up being too much hassle. By “next version,” I think Johan means 1.6, which they’re currently working on.
Joseph: thanks… that means I have time to switch my new code to whatever they’ll provide instead of patTemplate. :)