Ian Bicking: Python templating languages

Ian Bicking 18.6.2004 comments on "Python templating languages" that was presented at EuroPython.

I too read the paper and was struck by the odd choices of DTML and STL.

I have been using cheetah for a while and like it for applications where all content is under proper control. However, it and I think many of the templating options are a problem when you want users to be able to upload pages or page sections to be processed using the templating tool. Ian says "I think embedded code is good, though potentially dangerous", I think that the danger is too great when you will allow anyone to write content.
Therefore I went through the list of templating tools and am currently considering Clearsilver even though I would have preferred a pure python solution.

Comments

[Peter Wilkinson]

You should also have a look at SimpleTAL, based on the same template language as ZPT it allows you to choose if you want the python: option to be enabled. Nice to do on a case by case basis, particularly when you may want a page that has user supplied conent.

http://www.owlfish.com/software/simpleTAL/

[DaveW]

Peter,

Thanks, that does look interesting. Have added Colin's journal to my blogroll as well (http://www.owlfish.com/weblog/).

Personally I prefer the velocity style of markup which does not get into the html/xml markup at all. I think that it is easier to explain to customers/designers.

[JohnS]

+1 for clearsilver. Any pure python implementation will several orders of magnitude slower, in my experience.