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---
layout: default
permalink: templates/sections/
title: Sections
---
Sections
========
The `start()` and `stop` functions allow you to build sections (or blocks) of content within your template, and instead of them being rendered directly, they are saved for use elsewhere. For example, in your [layout](/templates/layouts/) template.
## Creating sections
You define the name of the section with the `start()` function. To end a section call the `stop()` function.
~~~ php
<?php $this->start('welcome') ?>
<h1>Welcome!</h1>
<p>Hello <?=$this->e($name)?></p>
<?php $this->stop() ?>
~~~
## Stacking section content
By default, when you render a section its content will overwrite any existing content for that section. However, it's possible to append (or stack) the content instead using the `push()` method. This can be useful for specifying any JavaScript libraries required by your child views.
~~~ php
<?php $this->push('scripts') ?>
<script src="example.js"></script>
<?php $this->end() ?>
~~~
<p class="message-notice">The <code>end()</code> function is simply an alias of <code>stop()</code>. These functions can be used interchangeably.</p>
## Accessing section content
Access rendered section content using the name you assigned in the `start()` method. This variable can be accessed from the current template and layout templates using the `section()` function.
~~~ php
<?=$this->section('welcome')?>
~~~
<p class="message-notice">Prior to Plates 3.0, accessing template content was done using either the <code>content()</code> or <code>child()</code> functions. For consistency with sections, this is no longer possible.</p>
## Default section content
In situations where a page doesn't implement a particular section, it's helpful to assign default content. There are a couple ways to do this:
### Defining it inline
If the default content can be defined in a single line of code, it's best to simply pass it as the second parameter of the `content()` function.
~~~ php
<div id="sidebar">
<?=$this->section('sidebar', $this->fetch('default-sidebar')?>
</div>
~~~
### Use an if statement
If the default content requires more than a single line of code, it's best to use a simple if statement to check if a section exists, and otherwise display the default.
~~~ php
<div id="sidebar">
<?php if ($this->section('sidebar')): ?>
<?=$this->section('sidebar')?>
<?php else: ?>
<ul>
<li><a href="/link">Example Link</a></li>
<li><a href="/link">Example Link</a></li>
<li><a href="/link">Example Link</a></li>
<li><a href="/link">Example Link</a></li>
<li><a href="/link">Example Link</a></li>
</ul>
<?php endif ?>
</div>
~~~