Any new techniques for generating HTML content dynamically?

Question

Any new techniques for generating HTML content dynamically?

Although I have experience writing HTML, JS, and CSS pages, my current methods for adding, changing, or updating elements on a page feel outdated. I often resort to using cumbersome solutions like creating new windows or manually manipulating DOM elements. I am aware of AJAX to fetch data and tools like Node.js, JQuery, and Angular for creating dynamic content, but I feel like there must be a more modern approach that I haven't yet discovered.

Imagine you have a vast amount of data, such as a library of books, stored in a JSON object in a .js file. How can you allow users to browse this data, select a book, and generate a new page displaying detailed information about the chosen book, similar to websites like ?

What techniques can be used to dynamically generate these pages in a more efficient and contemporary way, moving beyond outdated methods from the past?

javascript ajax dynamic

Answer 1

Answer №1

With a solid reputation in the realm of "dynamic front-end libraries," Knockout.js occupies a unique niche with its user-friendly features and minimal learning curve. Unlike heavier frameworks like Vue or Ember, Knockout.js excels in rapid prototyping, extensibility, and minimal secondary tooling requirements.

function BookList(data) {
  this.books = data.books;
  this.selectedBook = ko.observable();
  this.selectBoxTitle = ko.pureComputed(() => `There are ${this.books.length} books, pick one!`);
}

var data = {
  books: [
    {Title: "Anne of Green Gables", Author: "Lucy Maud Montgomery", Date: 1908},
    {Title: "Wuthering Heights", Author: "Emily Brontë", Date: 1847},
    {Title: "Dracula", Author: "Bram Stoker", Date: 1897},  
  ]
};

ko.applyBindings(new BookList(data));

<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/knockout/3.5.1/knockout-latest.js"></script>

<select data-bind="
  options: books,
  optionsText: 'Title',
  optionsCaption: selectBoxTitle,
  value: selectedBook
"></select>

<div data-bind="with: selectedBook">
  <h3 data-bind="text: Title"></h3>
  <p>Written by <b data-bind="text: Author"></b> in <span data-bind="text: Date"></span>.</p>
</div>

<hr>
View Model:
<pre data-bind="text: ko.toJSON($root, null, 2)"></pre>

Answer 2

With a solid reputation in the realm of "dynamic front-end libraries," Knockout.js occupies a unique niche with its user-friendly features and minimal learning curve. Unlike heavier frameworks like Vue or Ember, Knockout.js excels in rapid prototyping, extensibility, and minimal secondary tooling requirements.

function BookList(data) {
  this.books = data.books;
  this.selectedBook = ko.observable();
  this.selectBoxTitle = ko.pureComputed(() => `There are ${this.books.length} books, pick one!`);
}

var data = {
  books: [
    {Title: "Anne of Green Gables", Author: "Lucy Maud Montgomery", Date: 1908},
    {Title: "Wuthering Heights", Author: "Emily Brontë", Date: 1847},
    {Title: "Dracula", Author: "Bram Stoker", Date: 1897},  
  ]
};

ko.applyBindings(new BookList(data));

<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/knockout/3.5.1/knockout-latest.js"></script>

<select data-bind="
  options: books,
  optionsText: 'Title',
  optionsCaption: selectBoxTitle,
  value: selectedBook
"></select>

<div data-bind="with: selectedBook">
  <h3 data-bind="text: Title"></h3>
  <p>Written by <b data-bind="text: Author"></b> in <span data-bind="text: Date"></span>.</p>
</div>

<hr>
View Model:
<pre data-bind="text: ko.toJSON($root, null, 2)"></pre>

Answer 3

Answer №2

In response to a different inquiry (), a response mentioned that using pop-up windows is not the most efficient method, despite still being utilized. The issue of dynamic content in new windows lacking proper support for relative addresses was addressed with a solution. However, the responder also noted:

"I believe you could simplify things by avoiding the use of window.open (which has a negative reputation from the era of annoying pop-ups) and instead utilize a hidden modal div where you can load (or write) HTML content, then reveal it. Of course, there may be valid reasons for opting for a pop-up window."

This revelation led to further exploration, revealing various articles comparing "popup vs modal vs overlay vs interstitial". These are the four common techniques for dynamically inserting content, with pop-ups being the least favored as initially suspected.

For example, a discussion on this topic can be found on this site (). The focus here is on enhancing search engine ranking, but the examination of pros and cons is insightful. The consensus is that the window.open approach is likely outdated in modern web development. Furthermore, Google is recommended as a reliable source for industry best practices, as illustrated in this 2016 guide (https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2016/08/helping-users-easily-access-content-on).

Hence, aside from the technical aspects of loading content onto different elements dynamically, it appears that utilizing a new window is not the preferred method for displaying dynamic content.

Answer 4

In response to a different inquiry (), a response mentioned that using pop-up windows is not the most efficient method, despite still being utilized. The issue of dynamic content in new windows lacking proper support for relative addresses was addressed with a solution. However, the responder also noted:

"I believe you could simplify things by avoiding the use of window.open (which has a negative reputation from the era of annoying pop-ups) and instead utilize a hidden modal div where you can load (or write) HTML content, then reveal it. Of course, there may be valid reasons for opting for a pop-up window."

This revelation led to further exploration, revealing various articles comparing "popup vs modal vs overlay vs interstitial". These are the four common techniques for dynamically inserting content, with pop-ups being the least favored as initially suspected.

For example, a discussion on this topic can be found on this site (). The focus here is on enhancing search engine ranking, but the examination of pros and cons is insightful. The consensus is that the window.open approach is likely outdated in modern web development. Furthermore, Google is recommended as a reliable source for industry best practices, as illustrated in this 2016 guide (https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2016/08/helping-users-easily-access-content-on).

Hence, aside from the technical aspects of loading content onto different elements dynamically, it appears that utilizing a new window is not the preferred method for displaying dynamic content.

Any new techniques for generating HTML content dynamically?

Answer №1

Answer №2

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