Node.js – Template Engines
Subject: nodejs
Node.js – Template Engines
In web development, a template engine is a tool used to dynamically generate HTML pages by embedding JavaScript logic into templates. In Node.js, template engines are commonly used with frameworks like Express.js to render views (HTML pages) with dynamic data.
These engines allow you to separate presentation (HTML) from logic (JavaScript), making your code more modular and maintainable.
Why Use a Template Engine in Node.js?
- To render dynamic content like user names, product listings, etc.
- To keep HTML and server-side logic separate
- To simplify rendering views for different routes
- To reuse templates with layouts and partials
Commonly Used Template Engines in Node.js
- EJS (Embedded JavaScript)
- Pug (formerly Jade)
- Handlebars
- Mustache
Setting Up a Template Engine with Express.js
We'll demonstrate using EJS, one of the most popular template engines.
Step 1: Install Express and EJS
Step 2: Folder Structure
Step 3: Create app.js
Step 4: Create views/index.ejs
Output:
Example: Conditional and Loop Logic in EJS
Layouts and Partials
Most template engines support:
- Layouts: Base templates that can be extended
- Partials: Reusable HTML components (e.g., headers, footers)
In EJS, partials can be included like this:
Key Takeaways
- Template engines are essential for rendering dynamic HTML pages.
- Popular engines include EJS, Pug, and Handlebars.
- They allow embedding data into templates without mixing logic with view.
- Template engines help maintain clean separation of concerns in Node.js web apps.
- Integration with Express is seamless and supports reusable components (partials).