Do I need to replace the default 2009 default template templates with 2011?

Question

We are currently moving from SDL Tridion 2009 to 2011 SP1. As for the templates, we have only one problem with the default outgoing mailbox, and this problem was easily solved by updating the old 2009 TBB outgoing electronic TBB with new ones.

We had no other problems yet.

Do I need to update all templates in order to start using the new standard 2011 template templates? Obviously, it’s good practice to keep everyone up to date, but are there any changes in the logic?

Answer 1

The default template building blocks are physically located in the assembly in the GAC; After updating Tridion, this assembly will also be automatically updated.

Some things, however, are not located in the assembly; parameter schemes and DWT TBBs would not be updated (provided that they need updating, of course).

This essentially leaves you with only one concern when it comes to updating default template blocks:

• Any update to the parameter schemes is likely to violate changes to the API of the standard default template templates (your existing templates that use them must be updated to use the parameters from the updated schemes).

In this regard, my advice would be to leave the original blocks for building default templates in place (remember that their basic assembly and code are updated independently!); if any changes have been made to the Default Template Building Blocks, this should be indicated in the release notes (and also conduct a regression test of your implementation).

Edit: I updated my answer because, as Frank noted, existing TBBs can be automatically overridden by (re) setting TBB to the same parent folder. Since such a TBB upgrade is essentially a hassle-free attempt!

I also added DWT TBB to the list of items that will not be updated through the assembly, as Chris pointed out.