Syntax and Readability
- ejs:
EJS allows embedding JavaScript directly within HTML using simple tags, making it intuitive for those familiar with JavaScript. However, this can lead to less readable templates if not managed properly.
- handlebars:
Handlebars offers a cleaner syntax with a clear separation of logic and markup, using curly braces for expressions and helpers. This enhances readability and maintainability, especially in larger projects.
- mustache:
Mustache's logic-less syntax promotes separation of logic and presentation, using simple tags for variables and sections. This simplicity enhances readability but may limit functionality for complex scenarios.
- pug:
Pug's indentation-based syntax reduces the amount of HTML boilerplate, making templates concise and easier to read. However, the learning curve may be steep for those unfamiliar with indentation-based languages.
- nunjucks:
Nunjucks provides a clean syntax similar to Jinja2, allowing for template inheritance and block definitions. This enhances readability and organization in complex applications.
- liquidjs:
LiquidJS uses a logic-less syntax that emphasizes clarity, with simple tags for output and control flow. This makes it easy to read and understand, especially for non-developers.
- dot:
Dot uses a simple syntax that resembles JavaScript object notation, making it easy to read and write. It is designed for performance and clarity, allowing developers to create templates quickly without much boilerplate.
- twig:
Twig's syntax is designed to be clean and expressive, similar to Jinja2, allowing for complex logic while maintaining readability. It supports template inheritance and macros, enhancing code organization.
- hbs:
HBS is essentially Handlebars for Express.js, maintaining the same syntax and readability benefits, making it easy to integrate into Express applications while keeping templates clean.
Performance
- ejs:
EJS performs well for small to medium-sized templates but may experience slower performance with larger templates due to its direct embedding of JavaScript.
- handlebars:
Handlebars is efficient, especially with precompiled templates, which can significantly improve rendering speed. Its performance is generally good for most use cases.
- mustache:
Mustache is lightweight and performs well, but its logic-less approach may lead to more templates being required for complex applications, which could impact performance.
- pug:
Pug is generally fast due to its compiled nature, but performance can vary based on the complexity of the templates and the use of mixins and includes.
- nunjucks:
Nunjucks offers good performance, especially with asynchronous rendering capabilities, but may be slower than simpler engines due to its feature-rich nature.
- liquidjs:
LiquidJS is designed for performance with a focus on simplicity, but its logic-less nature may limit its capabilities in highly dynamic scenarios, potentially affecting performance.
- dot:
Dot is optimized for performance, making it one of the fastest templating engines available. It compiles templates into functions, resulting in minimal overhead during rendering.
- twig:
Twig is optimized for performance, especially in larger applications, but its feature-rich nature may introduce some overhead compared to simpler engines.
- hbs:
HBS inherits Handlebars' performance characteristics, making it suitable for Express applications with efficient rendering capabilities, especially when using precompiled templates.
Extensibility
- ejs:
EJS allows for the inclusion of custom functions and partials, making it extensible for various use cases, though it may require more boilerplate for complex extensions.
- handlebars:
Handlebars supports custom helpers and partials, allowing developers to extend its functionality easily, making it suitable for larger applications with reusable components.
- mustache:
Mustache is intentionally minimalistic and does not support extensions, which may limit its use in more complex scenarios but keeps it simple and straightforward.
- pug:
Pug supports mixins and includes, allowing for code reuse and modular templates, making it extensible for larger applications with complex structures.
- nunjucks:
Nunjucks is highly extensible, allowing for custom filters, tags, and asynchronous support, making it suitable for complex applications that require advanced templating features.
- liquidjs:
LiquidJS supports custom tags and filters, allowing developers to extend its functionality while maintaining a logic-less approach, making it suitable for CMS applications.
- dot:
Dot is lightweight and does not offer extensive built-in features, but it can be easily extended with custom functions and helpers to suit specific needs.
- twig:
Twig is highly extensible, supporting custom filters, functions, and macros, making it suitable for complex applications that require advanced templating capabilities.
- hbs:
HBS inherits Handlebars' extensibility features, allowing for custom helpers and partials, making it easy to build complex applications with reusable templates.
Community and Ecosystem
- ejs:
EJS has a strong community and is widely used, resulting in a wealth of resources, tutorials, and plugins available for developers.
- handlebars:
Handlebars has a large community and ecosystem, with numerous resources, plugins, and extensions available, making it a popular choice for many developers.
- mustache:
Mustache has a smaller community, but its simplicity and logic-less approach have led to its adoption in various projects, though resources may be limited.
- pug:
Pug has a large community and extensive resources, including plugins and tutorials, making it easy for developers to find support and examples.
- nunjucks:
Nunjucks has a strong community and is well-documented, providing numerous resources and plugins, making it a popular choice for complex applications.
- liquidjs:
LiquidJS has a growing community, especially among CMS developers, with resources available but not as extensive as more established engines.
- dot:
Dot has a smaller community compared to others, which may limit the availability of resources and plugins, but it is still actively maintained and used in various projects.
- twig:
Twig has a robust community, especially among PHP developers, with a wealth of resources, plugins, and extensions available, making it a strong choice for complex applications.
- hbs:
HBS benefits from the Handlebars community, providing access to a wide range of resources and plugins specifically for Express.js applications.
