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SimplyPages Mental Model

SimplyPages is a Java-first SSR framework.

The model is straightforward:

  • Use components for primitives.
  • Use modules for reusable composed sections.
  • Use pages and layout containers for structure.
  • Use templates + slots for request-time dynamic content.

Core Types

  • Component: renderable contract.
  • HtmlTag: base tag implementation for most components.
  • Module: build-once composed unit (buildContent() lifecycle).
  • RenderContext: per-request slot data container.
  • SlotKey<T>: typed dynamic value key.
  • Slot<T>: dynamic placeholder bound to a SlotKey.
  • Template: compiled render structure.

Two Rendering Modes

  1. Static composition:
  • Build component tree once.
  • Render once or on demand without slot data.
  1. Dynamic slot-driven rendering:
  • Define static Template and SlotKeys.
  • Inject request-time data through RenderContext.

Non-Negotiable Lifecycle Rule

Module.build() is idempotent and build-once. Do not treat buildContent() as per-request mutation logic.

If data changes per request, put that data behind SlotKey and render through Template.

Suggested Team Conventions

  1. Keep SlotKey declarations as public static final constants.
  2. Keep Template instances as public static final where possible.
  3. Keep controllers thin: fetch domain data, map to context, render template.
  4. Keep business logic out of component classes.