Express.js / Express.js with Template Engines
Creating Reusable Templates with Handlebars
Handlebars is a powerful template engine that allows for the creation of semantic templates. This tutorial will guide you through setting up Handlebars in an Express.js applicatio…
Section overview
5 resourcesCovers using template engines like EJS, Pug, and Handlebars to render dynamic views.
1. Introduction
- The goal of this tutorial is to guide you on how to set up Handlebars in an Express.js application and create reusable templates. Handlebars is a simple-to-use, powerful templating engine that lets you build semantic templates effectively.
- By the end of this tutorial, you will learn how to install and set up Handlebars, create and use templates, and understand how to make your templates reusable and modular.
- Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of JavaScript and Node.js would be beneficial. Familiarity with Express.js would also be helpful.
2. Step-by-Step Guide
2.1 Installing Handlebars
First, you need to install Handlebars to your Express.js application using npm:
npm install express-handlebars
2.2 Setting Up Handlebars
After installation, set up Handlebars in your application:
const express = require('express');
const exphbs = require('express-handlebars');
const app = express();
app.engine('handlebars', exphbs());
app.set('view engine', 'handlebars');
2.3 Creating Templates
Create a views directory in your application root. Inside the views, create a layouts directory. Put your main Handlebars layout file (main.handlebars) inside the layouts directory.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>{{title}}</title>
</head>
<body>
{{{body}}}
</body>
</html>
2.4 Using Templates
To use a template, render it in your Express.js routes:
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.render('home', { title: 'Home Page' });
});
3. Code Examples
3.1 Example - Creating a Reusable Header Template
Create a partials directory in your views directory. Create a new file called header.handlebars inside partials:
// header.handlebars
<header>
<h1>{{title}}</h1>
<nav>
<ul>
<li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/about">About</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
</header>
To use this template, include it in your main layout:
// main.handlebars
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>{{title}}</title>
</head>
<body>
{{> header}}
{{{body}}}
</body>
</html>
4. Summary
- We have covered installing Handlebars, setting it up in an Express.js application, creating templates, and making them reusable.
- As next steps, you can explore other features of Handlebars such as helpers and blocks.
- Additional resources:
- Handlebars.js Official Documentation
- Express.js Official Documentation
5. Practice Exercises
- Create a reusable footer template that includes a copyright notice. Include this footer in your main layout.
- Create a 'contact' page using Handlebars and Express.js. Include your header and footer templates in this page.
- Create a template for a blog post. This template should include the post title, date, author, and content.
Solutions:
1. Create footer.handlebars in partials directory:
<footer>
<p>© {{year}} My Website</p>
</footer>
Include in main layout:
{{> footer}}
- In your Express.js routes:
app.get('/contact', (req, res) => {
res.render('contact', { title: 'Contact Page', year: new Date().getFullYear() });
});
- Create
post.handlebars:
<article>
<h2>{{title}}</h2>
<p>By {{author}} on {{date}}</p>
<div>{{{content}}}</div>
</article>
Use this template:
app.get('/post', (req, res) => {
res.render('post', { title: 'My Post', author: 'Me', date: 'Today', content: 'This is my post.' });
});
Remember, practice makes perfect. Keep experimenting with Handlebars to become proficient at it.
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