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What is EJS and Why Should You Use It?
In the world of Node.js, dynamic web pages are essential for creating interactive user experiences. But what is EJS and why is it preferred by many developers? EJS, or Embedded JavaScript, is a templating engine that allows you to generate HTML markup with plain JavaScript, making it a powerful tool for your web development arsenal.
Setting Up EJS in Your Node.js Project
To start using EJS templates in your project, first install EJS via npm:
npm install ejs
Next, set EJS as your view engine:
app.set('view engine', 'ejs');
By doing this, you ensure that your Node.js application is ready to render EJS files, which keeps your HTML structure clean and separated from your server-side logic.
The Power of EJS: Embedding Dynamic Data
One of the standout features of EJS is its ability to inject dynamic data into your HTML. Imagine you have a user object:
const data = { name: 'Sudip Sharma', age: 20, city: 'Pokhara' };
You can pass this data to your EJS template like this:
app.get("/", (req, res) => { res.render("index.ejs", { obj1: data }); });
Render is a method that is used to render the view files
In your EJS file, you can then access the data using simple syntax:
<%= obj1.name %>
Handling External CSS in EJS Templates
Linking external CSS files in EJS templates requires a specific setup. To serve static files like CSS, you need to create a public folder:
Then, in your Express.js setup, make this folder accessible:
app.use(express.static('public'));
With this setup, you can now link your CSS file in your EJS template:
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/style.css">
This method ensures your styles are applied correctly, giving your web application a polished look.
Exploring the MVC Architecture with EJS
Integrating EJS into your Node.js projects aligns perfectly with the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. By keeping your views separate from your server-side logic, EJS enhances code maintainability and clarity. This structure is ideal for building robust, scalable applications.
Conclusion: The Versatility of EJS in Node.js
Whether you're new to Node.js or an experienced developer, EJS templates offer a seamless way to manage dynamic content in your web applications. Its ease of use and compatibility with the MVC pattern make it a go-to choice for many developers. So, why choose EJS for Node.js? The answer is simple: it streamlines your development process and empowers you to create dynamic, engaging web pages with ease.
