The Zen SMACSS implementation was basically my prototype CSS Architecture. But once it came in contact with the community as part of #1891580: [policy] Finally agree on CSS coding standards, it got fleshed out and made way more awesome. See http://drupal.org/node/1887918 for the results.

I want to update Zen's implementation to use these new concepts. But when I come to issues like this, I realize they are MAJOR changes. Ellie and Kris (and others), do you think this change should be the basis of Zen 7.x-6.x?

Comments

JohnAlbin’s picture

Note, that means we can do some minor cleanup and release a Zen 7.x-5.2 with the current SMACSS CSS organization.

caschbre’s picture

I've started a major project using the latest -dev release of Zen because of the change in .scss organization and SMACSS usage. It's great to see this evolving. Though we may struggle using a -dev release as the changes come out.

echoz’s picture

This is a hard one (which I bet you've encountered before) as on one hand you've wanted to push a new release for a while, and IMO I don't think a project should start with 7.x-5.1 with the large overhaul the dev version has gone through. On the other hand, it will probably be easier for "recommended release" users to get this change all at once. For those already using the dev version, it will just be another iterative step.

So where and when is the smartest stopping point? It's as if we want it done, and we want it now… pick one :-)

echoz’s picture

caschbre’s picture

I chose the dev release over the 5.1 release mostly because of the change in the organization of .scss files. I didn't want to try and manually deal with a 5.1 -> 5.2 release with that drastic a change. I figured the minor changes in a dev release would be easier to manage.

JohnAlbin’s picture

Version: 7.x-5.x-dev » 7.x-6.x-dev

The good news with 7.x-5.2 is that I left all the old classes in so that I didn't break sub-themes based off of 7.x-5.1. Backwards compatibility between point releases is essential, IMO. But switching to a new major release is my green light for breaking stuff. :-D

I figured the minor changes in a dev release would be easier to manage.

And you would be correct. :-)

Let's move the discussion of what needs to go into 7.x-5.2 over here: #1932172: [meta] Release 7.x-5.2/5.3

MacMladen’s picture

As this is the only issue now with 7.x-6.x when can we expect dev to appear on list? Or 6.0rc or final?

It has been a long time without update and I agree that is is better for 7.x-5.x branch to stay the way it was, only cleaned of bugs and SMACSS and major things to go into 7.x-6.x that would be reflected and backported from 8.x that should also get started, at least for PHPTemplate engine (Twig would be a challenge, ei? Or not?)

Please advise: should we stay in 7.x-5.x-dev or bravely dive into 7.x-6.x and move on from there if we aim for SMACSS?

JohnAlbin’s picture

MacMladen’s picture

Issue summary: View changes

After some time and experience I vote in favor of following new CSS directive in 7.x-6.x release even if that means breakage of direct compatibility.

The new branch will offer opportunity to make things better, use new better and recommended practice and use full power of new things and technology, foremost Zen grids 2.x.

So do what is necessary and make 6.x branch the way it should be, without compromise and document changes so we can follow them to make old subtheme work with 6.x version. This is much better than to have version 6.x suffer for backward compatibility, that has been holding many good projects in dark ages.

tstermitz’s picture

I'm really enjoying the refactored SMACSS in Zen 7.x-6.x. Not to mention, style maps, bundler and GEM files. 6.x is so much easier than 5.x when it comes to keeping my styles modular and maintainable. Even if Zen 6.x is only in DEV, and we may see more changes coming, I really don't to go back to using Zen 5.x SASS anymore.

Why not release a Zen 6.x sooner rather than later? The new SMACSS layout by itself makes it pretty difficult to update a pre-existing Zen template from 5.x to 6x, but at least new sites going forward can take advantage of the new features. Front end is moving so quickly, that Zen 5.x seems so 2009!

One more thing that would be cool would be KSS documentation in the SCSS files. Is there a "best" way to order the KSS numbers with so many different files?

mvdve’s picture

Just confirming that I really like the 7.6. branch. I chose the dev version of Zen over de stable one for a couple of project now. My only suggestion would be to use sass-globbing by default. This will make it easer for user to add new scss files.

JohnAlbin’s picture

I just started a major batch of changes, so I've tagged the work I finished as of November as 7.x-6.0-alpha1. And I'll release an alpha2 shortly.

mvdve’s picture

Great update and nice to see the integration with sass-gobbling. Is there a timetable for the release of version 6?
If i can be of any assistance, let me know!

steinmb’s picture

JohnAlbin’s picture

Status: Active » Fixed

This is definitely fixed. :-)

Status: Fixed » Closed (fixed)

Automatically closed - issue fixed for 2 weeks with no activity.