I am currently exploring different ways to structure templates within AngularJS directives. Two of the most common methods include:
Inline Formatting:
// Directive.js
app.directive('flipCard', [
function() {
return {
template:
"<div class='cardslot' ng-class='{\"switch\":shouldFlip}'> \
<card-side candidate-model='currentCandidate' class='card-a-side'></card-side> \
<card-side candidate-model='nextCandidate' class='card-b-side'></card-side> \
</div>"
};
}
]);
Advantages:
- Consolidates all directive code into one file for a cleaner look
- Avoids the need to load an additional file at runtime
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to format and tends to be less visually appealing
- Lacks code completion and tag highlighting features
- Nesting double and single quotes can lead to complications
External Formatting:
// Directive.js
app.directive('directive', [
function() {
return {
templateUrl: '/views/partials/directive.html'
};
}
]);
// Directive.html
<div class="cardslot" ng-class="{'switch':shouldFlip}">
<card-side candidate-model="currentCandidate" class="card-a-side"></card-side>
<card-side candidate-model="nextCandidate" class="card-b-side"></card-side>
</div>
Advantages:
- Cleaner formatting with improved code highlighting and completion
- Separates HTML template from JavaScript, resulting in cleaner directive code
Disadvantages:
- Requires an additional file per directive, both during coding and at runtime
- Might feel excessive for smaller template codes
With pros and cons on both sides, how do we decide between inline and external formatting? And are there alternative methods worth considering?