Latex - Why comments environments do not work in macros? - macros

Question

I'm trying to crate a macro that could display different levels of details in a Resume, the idea being to be able to state a specific theme and to get details only for relevant entries in my resume.
I'm using class "memoir" to use the \newcomment function. I tried moderncv, but I was not really convinced.
Here is what I've come up with so far :
\newcomment{Item}
\newcomment{Descr}
\newcomment{Details}
\newcommand{\cvitem}[3]{
\begin{Item}\textbf{#1}\end{Item}
\begin{Descr}\hspace{1cm} {#2}\end{Descr}
\begin{Details}\\ {\small #3}\end{Details}\vspace{2em}
}
\commentsoff{Item}
\commentsoff{Descr}
\commentsoff{Details}
It works as is, but if I state
\commentson{Details}
Then I get the error :
! File ended while scanning use of \next.
<inserted text>
\par
<*> cv_master.tex
I suspect you have forgotten a `}', causing me
to read past where you wanted me to stop.
I'll try to recover; but if the error is serious,
you'd better type `E' or `X' now and fix your file.
Any idea why ?

Answer 1

You're better of using conditionals in the traditional sense. That is, use \if-like statements that you can toggle on/off:
\documentclass{article}
\newif\ifItem
\newif\ifDescr
\newif\ifDetails
\newcommand{\cvitem}[3]{%
\ifItem
\textbf{#1}
\fi
\ifDescr
\hspace{1cm} #2
\fi
\ifDetails
\\ {\small #3}
\fi
\vspace{2em}
}
\Itemtrue
\Descrtrue
\Detailsfalse
\begin{document}
\cvitem{First}{Second}{Third}
\end{document}
Why? It's easier and works in all environments/classes.