.. include:: /Includes.rst.txt
.. index:: TypoScript; Introduction
.. _typoscript-syntax-syntax-introduction:

============
Introduction
============

TypoScript is internally handled as a (large) multidimensional PHP
array (see ":ref:`typoscript-syntax-what-is-typoscript`"). Values are arranged in a
tree-like hierarchy. The "branches" are indicated with periods
(".") - a syntax borrowed from for example JavaScript and which
conveys the idea of defining objects/properties.


.. _typoscript-syntax-syntax-example:

Example
=======

.. include:: /CodeSnippets/TypoScriptSyntax/Syntax/Introduction.rst.txt

Referring to :code:`myObject` we might call it: "*an object with the value
[value 1] and the property, 'myProperty' with the value [value 2].
Furthermore 'myProperty' has its own two properties, 'firstProperty'
and 'secondProperty' with a value each ([value 3] and [value 4]).*"

The TYPO3 backend contains tools that can be used to visualize the
tree structure of TypoScript. They are described in the relevant
section further of the two using reference documents
:ref:`TypoScript Reference <t3tsref:typoscript-syntax-typoscript-templates>` and
:ref:`TSconfig Reference <t3tsconfig:typoscript-syntax-using-setting>`.
The above piece of TypoScript would look like this:

.. include:: /Images/AutomaticScreenshots/TypoScriptSyntax/SyntaxIntroduction.rst.txt