Breaking up content into smaller chunks

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 140 views

Introduction

As a developer working on SQLPage, a tool for rendering context from markdown stored in the database, I've encountered a common challenge. When rendering markdown content using the text component, I want to target specific elements inside this content with CSS for styling and visual purposes. However, SQLPage escapes HTML blocks, making it difficult to achieve this goal. In this article, I'll describe the problem, explore alternatives, and propose a solution for optional support of HTML blocks in markdown.

The Problem

I'm currently using the text component to render markdown content stored in the database. However, I want to style specific elements within this content using CSS. According to the CommonMark spec, I should be able to add HTML blocks with custom classes to achieve this. Unfortunately, SQLPage escapes these tags, making it impossible to target specific elements.

Current Workaround

To avoid using really horrible CSS expressions, I've been scratching my head, trying to find a way to style the content without using HTML blocks. While this workaround is not ideal, it's a temporary solution until I can implement a better approach.

The Proposed Solution

To address this issue, I'd like to propose a row-level flag on the text component to conditionally allow HTML blocks in markdown content. This flag would enable developers to choose when to use HTML blocks and when to stick with plain markdown. By providing this option, SQLPage would no longer escape HTML blocks, allowing developers to target specific elements with CSS.

Alternatives Considered

Before proposing this solution, I considered alternative approaches:

Breaking up content into smaller chunks: While this approach would allow me to target specific elements, it would require significant changes to the content structure and might not be feasible for all use cases.
Using regex to extract content: I've seen examples of using regex to extract specific content from markdown, but this approach seems cumbersome and might not be the most efficient solution.

Additional Context

I'm happy to create a pull request (PR) if this solution is deemed sane and feasible. I've also considered the uri templates capability, which I'm trying to avoid using for now. If you have any suggestions or alternatives, please feel free to share them.

Benefits of the Proposed Solution

The proposed solution would bring several benefits:

Improved styling and visual customization: By allowing HTML blocks, developers would have more control over the styling and visual appearance of their content.
Simplified content structure: With the ability to use HTML blocks, developers would no longer need to break up their content into smaller chunks, making it easier to manage and maintain.
Increased flexibility: The proposed solution would provide developers with more flexibility in terms of content structure and styling, making it easier to adapt to changing requirements.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the proposed solution of adding a row-level flag on the text component to conditionally allow HTML blocks in markdown content. This solution aims to address the current limitation of SQLPage, enabling developers to target specific elements inside markdown content with CSS for styling and visual purposes. In this Q&A article, we'll delve deeper into the proposed solution, addressing common questions and concerns.

Q: What are the benefits of allowing HTML blocks in markdown content?

A: The primary benefit of allowing HTML blocks in markdown content is improved styling and visual customization. By using HTML blocks, developers can target specific elements within the content and apply custom styles, making it easier to create visually appealing and engaging content.

Q: How would the row-level flag work?

A: The row-level flag would be a simple toggle that allows developers to enable or disable HTML blocks for specific markdown content. When enabled, the flag would instruct SQLPage to render the content with HTML blocks, allowing developers to target specific elements with CSS.

Q: Would this solution affect the security of SQLPage?

A: No, the proposed solution would not compromise the security of SQLPage. The row-level flag would only enable HTML blocks for specific content, and SQLPage would still escape any malicious HTML code. This solution is designed to provide developers with more flexibility and control over their content, while maintaining the security and integrity of SQLPage.

Q: How would this solution impact the performance of SQLPage?

A: The proposed solution would have a minimal impact on the performance of SQLPage. The row-level flag would simply enable or disable HTML blocks for specific content, without affecting the underlying rendering process. This solution is designed to be efficient and scalable, ensuring that SQLPage can handle large volumes of content without compromising performance.

Q: Can this solution be used with existing markdown content?

A: Yes, the proposed solution can be used with existing markdown content. The row-level flag would allow developers to selectively enable HTML blocks for specific content, making it easy to update and style existing content without requiring significant changes.

Q: How would this solution be implemented?

A: The proposed solution would be implemented as a new feature in SQLPage, with a simple toggle for enabling or disabling HTML blocks. This feature would be designed to be easy to use and integrate with existing content, making it accessible to developers of all skill levels.

Q: What are the next steps for this solution?

A: The next steps for this solution would involve implementing the row-level flag and testing its functionality. We would also gather feedback from developers and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the solution meets the needs of the SQLPage community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proposed solution of adding a row-level flag on the text component to conditionally allow HTML blocks in markdown content would address the current limitation of SQLPage. By providing developers with more control over the styling and visual appearance of their content, this solution would make it easier to create engaging and visually appealing content. We hope this Q&A article has provided valuable insights into the proposed solution and its benefits.