How To Use Underscore Js As A Template Engine

Underscore.js isn't just for manipulating data and working with arrays – did you know you can also use it as a template engine to power up your HTML rendering game? Let's explore how to make the most of Underscore.js as a versatile tool for creating dynamic web content.

First things first, ensure you have Underscore.js added to your project. You can include it in your project by simply linking to it from a CDN, or by using a package manager like npm or yarn to install it locally.

Now, let's dive into the practical steps of using Underscore.js as a template engine. To start, you'll want to create a simple HTML template that contains the placeholders where you want dynamic data to be inserted. For example, you could use `

` where `` is the placeholder for your dynamic content.

Next, in your JavaScript code, you can compile this template using Underscore.js. You can do this by passing your HTML template as a string to the `_.template` function. This will return a function that you can later use to render the template with actual data.

For instance, you can compile your template like this:

var compiledTemplate = _.template(document.getElementById('myTemplate').innerHTML);

Now that you have your compiled template ready, you can render it with actual data. You can pass an object with the dynamic data you want to insert into the template into the function returned by `_.template`.

Here's an example of how you can render your template with data:

var renderedHTML = compiledTemplate({ data: 'Hello, Underscore.js!'});

After rendering the template with the desired data, you can insert it into the DOM wherever you need it to be displayed. For example, you can set the innerHTML of a specific element to the rendered HTML.

document.getElementById('output').innerHTML = renderedHTML;

And that's it! You have successfully used Underscore.js as a template engine to create dynamic content on your web page. By following these simple steps, you can leverage the power of Underscore.js to streamline your HTML rendering process and create more interactive and engaging web applications.

So, the next time you need to work with dynamic data in your HTML templates, remember that Underscore.js can serve as a handy tool to simplify your workflow. Happy coding!