Question:
In what order does EE parse a template?
Answer:
(>= v 1.5.2)
# Return Static Template
# Replace deprecated “not_logged_in” variables (now logged_in / logged_out)
# URI Segment variables {segment_x}
# {embed:foo} variable tags (sub-templates only)
# path.php Global Variables
# Parse Date Formatting “Constants”
# Parse {current_time} variables
# Retrieve Cached Template
## Advanced Conditionals
## Return completed template
# PHP (Input Stage)
# Conditionals (non-advanced)
## URI Segment conditionals
## Embedded variable conditionals
## Global Conditionals
# Dynamically Assigned Global Variables {assign_variable:foo="bar"}
# Main Parsing - Process all {exp:...} tags in order encountered.
# PHP (Output Stage)
# Write new cache file
# Uncacheable Forms
## Comment Forms
## Stand-Alone Entry Forms
## Trackback Hashes
# Advanced Conditionals
# Process sub-templates {embed=template_group/template_name}
# Standard and User-Defined Global Variables (including path and stylesheet)
# Return completed template