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Pros and Cons of Popular JavaScript Templating Engines

by mahdiDecember 18th, 2023

Too Long; Didn't Read

Delve into the realm of web development templating engines with an in-depth look at Pug, Handlebars, and EJS. From simplified syntax to performance benchmarks, discover the strengths and weaknesses of each, guiding you to make informed decisions tailored to your project's needs.

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Web development often involves generating HTML dynamically, with JavaScript templating engines making this task more manageable.

Let’s explore three popular ones: Pug (formerly Jade), Handlebars (HBS), and Embedded JavaScript Templates (EJS).

Pug

Pug is a high-performance template engine heavily influenced by Haml and implemented with JavaScript for Node.js and browsers.

Advantages:

Simplified Syntax: Pug uses whitespace and indentation, meaning no closing tags are necessary.
Code reusability: Includes mixins and template inheritance.
Powerful: Offers conditional statements, loops, and template inheritance.

Disadvantages:

Learning Curve: Developers must learn its unique syntax.
Error Handling: Can be less clear with its stack trace on errors.

Installation:

Install Pug via npm:

npm install pug

Example:

doctype html

html(lang="en")

head

title= pageTitle

body

h1 Pug - node template engine

#container.col

if youAreUsingPug

p You are amazing!

Handlebars (HBS)

Handlebars is a logic-less templating engine that dynamically generates your HTML page.

Advantages:

Ease of Use: Familiar HTML-like syntax.
Flexibility: Custom helpers and partials for reusable code.
Compatibility: Easy to integrate with existing code as it builds upon regular HTML.

Disadvantages:

Logic-less: No direct support for logic, all must be pre-processed before compiling the template.
Complexity in Large Applications: Can become hard to maintain in large-scale applications.

Installation:

Install Handlebars via npm:

npm install handlebars

Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html>

<head>

<title>{{title}}</title>

</head>

<body>

<h1>{{header}}</h1>

<div>{{body}}</div>

</body>

</html>

Embedded JavaScript (EJS)

EJS is a simple templating language that lets you generate HTML markup with plain JavaScript.

Advantages:

Minimal Syntax: EJS uses plain JavaScript, which means you probably already know how to use it.
Fast: Compiles into highly efficient JavaScript functions.
Easy Embedding: It’s easy to embed and mix with HTML.

Disadvantages:

Can get messy: Mixing JavaScript and HTML can lead to harder-to-read templates.
Limited Features: Lack of some features means you might need additional HTML or JavaScript code to achieve some tasks.

Installation:

Install EJS via npm:

npm install ejs

Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html>

<head>

<title><%= title %></title>

</head>

<body>

<h1><%= header %></h1>

<% if (showBody) { %>

<div><%= body %></div>

<% } %>

</body>

</html>

Performance Comparison

In terms of performance benchmarks, Pug has shown to have fast rendering speeds and is optimized for high performance. Handlebars is known for its efficient template rendering, making it a good choice for performance-critical applications. EJS, being built with plain JavaScript, also demonstrates high performance in generating HTML markup. It's advisable to consider these performance aspects based on the specific requirements of your project.

Real-World Use Cases

Pug has been widely adopted in projects where developers seek a stylized, expressive syntax. Handlebars finds its place in applications where a logic-less yet powerful templating engine is required. EJS, due to its minimal syntax and embedding ease, is favored in projects that demand simplicity and integration with plain JavaScript code.

Community and Support

Pug, Handlebars, and EJS each have vibrant communities offering support, documentation, and libraries. When considering a templating engine for a project, it's essential to take into account the available support and resources specific to the engine you choose. Community size, active development, and availability of resources can significantly impact the ease of integration and future maintenance of the chosen engine.

Best Practices

When utilizing Pug, Handlebars, or EJS in your projects, it's vital to adhere to best practices for maximizing their benefits. Proper utilization of features like mixins, logic-less templating, or plain JavaScript embedding should be followed to ensure maintainability and scalability.

Comparison

Each templating engine has its place in web development. Pug offers a robust set of features for developers who prefer a stylized syntax. Handlebars suits those who need a logic-less yet powerful templating engine, while EJS is perfect for those who want minimal templating with plain JavaScript.

In choosing the right engine, consider readability, maintainability, and the specific needs of your project. Each has a distinct syntax and a different approach to templating, making your choice highly subjective to your personal or project needs.

By understanding the differences and applications of Pug, Handlebars, and EJS, developers can select the right tools to build efficient, maintainable, and scalable web applications.