Routex: Phoenix route localization and beyond....

Routex is a comprehensive, batteries included framework built on top of Phoenix, designed to streamline and empower your routing workflows. By simplifying route manipulation at compile time and enabling the use of custom route attributes during runtime, Routex provides the granular control needed to tackle the most complex routing challenges.

Its modern, extensible architecture allows for effortless creation of custom solutions, extending its functionality far beyond standard routing.

Localize Phoenix

For developers seeking robust Phoenix localization solutions, Routex excels. It offers a suite of extensions enabling internationalization (i18n) and localization (l10n), including but not limited to seamless support for translated (multilingual) URLs, locale preference detection at run time and support for multiple backends.

The included extension Localize Phoenix simplifies Phoenix localization by detecting already used localization packages (Cldr, Gettext or Fluent) and automatically generate routes based on their existing configuration for a seamless experience or using your manual configuration for powerful customization.

The extension includes an IANA based locale registry for robust locale validation and conversion to display names.

Forget any notion of difficult setup – localizing your Phoenix application with Routex is a breeze. Just copy the example configuration from our Localize Phoenix using Routex guide for an effortless start.

This documentation reflects the main branch. For the latest stable release, refer to HexDocs).

Benefits and Features:

• Simplify development: Routex combines compile-time code generation with dynamic runtime behavior by seamlessly integrating LiveView lifecycle hooks and pipeline Plugs. This enables extensions to provide powerful runtime features such as automatically locale detection and synchronization between the server, client, and LiveView processes- without requiring modifications throughout your codebase.

• Drop-in solution: Extensions are highly configurable, allowing you to use Routex features as drop-in solution. For example: Routex can be configured to remain compatible with Phoenix' template generators. As such, it doesn't disrupt standard Phoenix development practices lowering the learning curve. It can also be configured to mimic Cldr-Routes with its tight integration wirth Cldr and use of custom sigils.

• Optimized Performance: Positioned between route configuration and compilation, Routex core enhances Phoenix routes without incurring additional runtime costs. Extensions too are optimized for runtime performance, making use of Elixirs superb pattern matching.

• No dependencies, no state: Routex is unique in not depending on other libraries and works out-of-the-box without process state. An extension to control third-party libraries that do rely on state such as Gettext is included.

• Detailed documentation: Comprehensive, well-organized documentation provides clear guidance on installation, configuration, and best practices, making Routex approachable for developers at all levels.

Give it a try!

Online demo - have a look or get the code.

Installation and usage

Usage Guide - requirements and installation. instructions.

Documentation - from step-by-step guides till in-depth explanations.

Knowledge Base

To better understand how Routex integrates with Phoenix Router and where it fits into the broader ecosystem, take a look at our in-depth guides:

How Routex and Phoenix Router Work Together - Discover the mechanics behind the integration and the benefits of a unified routing system.

Routex compared to Phoenix Router and Cldr Routes - Understand the differences, strengths, and tradeoffs when deciding which routing solution best fits your needs.

Extensions

Routex comes equipped with a extensions that cater to common and advanced use cases in Phoenix applications. Each extension is designed to operate independently yet harmoniously with other extensions through the shared Routex.Attrs system. This flexibility allows you to tailor your routing system to your specific needs without resorting to extensive modifications or the burden of maintaining a fork.

Benefits:

• Modularity: Each feature is encapsulated in its own extension, making it easier to manage and maintain.
• Flexibility: Extensions can be enabled or disabled as needed, allowing for a customizable and adaptable routing system.
• Interoperability: By using Routex.Attrs to share attributes, extensions can work together seamlessly without being tightly coupled, promoting a decoupled and scalable architecture.
• Customizability: If you have a unique requirement, you can adapt an existing extension -or create your own- without the need to fork or reach upstream consensus on the need and purpose.

Index

Specialized suites

• Localize Phoenix: Simple localization of Phoenix using auto-detection of localization libs. Combines Localize Phoenix Routes and Localize Phoenix Runtime.

Adapters for third-parties

• Cldr Adapter: tight integration with :ex_cldr (mimics cldr-routes and cldr-plugs).

Phoenix shims

• Verified Routes: (Locale) Branch aware variant of Phoenix.VerifiedRoutes.
• Route Helpers: (Locale) Branch aware Phoenix Helpers.

Feature extensions

• Alternatives: Create (nested) alternative routes.
• Alternative Getters: List all alternative routes for the current route.
• Assigns: Use route attributes as assigns in templates (e.g. @custom_attribute).
• Attribute Getters: Fetch all custom attributes of any route.
• Interpolation: Use route attributes in route definitions at any place (e.g. live /page/products/#{language}/:id.
• LiveView Hooks: Integrate LiveView Lifecycle hooks provided by other extensions.
• Localize Phoenix Routes: Localize Phoenix routes with the help of an IANA based locale registry).
• Localize Phoenix Runtime: Highly configurable locale detection using multiple sources (StaticView and LiveView).
• Plugs: Integrate plugs provided by other extensions.
• Runtime Dispatcher: Dispatch to arbitrary functions at runtime using route attributes as arguments.
• Translations: Translate route segments / full localized URLs.

Showcases

• Cloak: Demonstrates Routex' support for extreme route transformations.

Development

Contributions to Routex are highly appreciated! Whether it's a simple typo fix, a new extension or any other improvement.

Want to validate your idea? Use our discussion board

• clone Routex: https://github.com/BartOtten/routex
  The main branch is the active development branch.

• clone Routex Example app: https://github.com/BartOtten/routex_example
  Use either the main branch or watch for branches indicating a newer version

• copy or symlink routex into routex_example
  This causes the example to use the locale routex

• enable AST insight in the example app
  Inspecting the helpers generated by Routex' extensions helps a lot

  # In routex_example/config/dev.ex
  config :routex, helper_mod_dir: "/tmp"