How to Include EJS Template Files in a Node.js Executable: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a Node.js executable can be an exciting endeavor, but it can also be daunting when it comes to including template files. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of EJS template files and show you how to seamlessly integrate them into your Node.js executable.

What are EJS Template Files?

EJS (Embedded JavaScript) is a templating language that allows you to create dynamic web pages by embedding JavaScript code within HTML. It’s a popular choice for building web applications, and when paired with Node.js, it’s a powerful tool for creating robust and scalable applications.

In a nutshell, EJS template files are HTML files that contain placeholders for dynamic data. These placeholders are replaced with actual data when the template is rendered, allowing you to create reusable templates that can be populated with different data sets.

Why Use EJS Template Files in a Node.js Executable?

There are several reasons why you’d want to include EJS template files in your Node.js executable:

• Separation of Concerns**: By separating your template files from your application logic, you can maintain a cleaner and more organized codebase.
• Faster Development**: EJS template files allow you to focus on building your application’s core functionality without worrying about the presentation layer.
• Easy Maintenance**: With EJS template files, you can make changes to your template without affecting your application’s underlying logic.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the tutorial, make sure you have the following installed:

• Node.js (latest version)
• EJS package installed globally or locally in your project (npm install ejs)
• A code editor or IDE of your choice

Step 1: Create a New Node.js Project

Create a new Node.js project by running the following command in your terminal:

mkdir node-ejs-example
cd node-ejs-example
npm init -y

This will create a new project directory with a basic package.json file.

Step 2: Install EJS

Install EJS as a dependency in your project by running the following command:

npm install ejs

This will install EJS and add it to your package.json file.

Step 3: Create an EJS Template File

Create a new file called index.ejs in the root of your project directory:

touch index.ejs

Add the following code to index.ejs:

<% if (title) { %>
  <h1><%= title %></h1>
<% } else { %>
  <h1>Welcome to my website!</h1>
<% } %>

<p>This is a sample paragraph.</p>

This EJS template file includes a conditional statement that checks if a title variable is defined. If it is, the template will display the title; otherwise, it will display a default message.

Step 4: Create a Node.js Script

Create a new file called app.js in the root of your project directory:

touch app.js

Add the following code to app.js:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const ejs = require('ejs');

app.set('view engine', 'ejs');

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.render('index', { title: 'Hello World!' });
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server started on port 3000');
});

This Node.js script uses the Express.js framework to create a web server that listens on port 3000. It sets the view engine to EJS and defines a route for the root URL (/) that renders the index.ejs template file with a title variable set to “Hello World!”.

Step 5: Run the Application

Run the application by executing the following command in your terminal:

node app.js

Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost:3000. You should see a web page with the title “Hello World!” and a sample paragraph.

How to Package the Application as a Node.js Executable

To package the application as a Node.js executable, you’ll need to use a tool like pkg. Install pkg globally by running the following command:

npm install -g pkg

Once installed, navigate to the root of your project directory and run the following command:

pkg app.js

This will create a new executable file called app in the current directory.

Including EJS Template Files in the Executable

To include the EJS template file in the executable, you’ll need to modify the pkg command to include the template file:

pkg app.js --assets=views/index.ejs

This will package the index.ejs file along with the Node.js script, making it available for use in the executable.

Conclusion

That’s it! You’ve successfully created a Node.js executable that includes an EJS template file. By following these steps, you can create robust and scalable applications that separate presentation logic from application logic.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues while packaging the application, make sure to check the following:

• Verify that the EJS package is installed correctly.
• Check that the template file is in the correct location and has the correct filename.

Best Practices

When working with EJS template files and Node.js executables, keep the following best practices in mind:

• Keep your template files organized and separate from your application logic.
• Use meaningful variable names and avoid polluting the global namespace.
• Test your application thoroughly to ensure that the EJS template files are working correctly.

Keyword	Description
EJS	Embedded JavaScript templating language
Node.js	JavaScript runtime environment
Executable	A packaged Node.js application
pkg	A tool for packaging Node.js applications as executables

By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating robust and scalable Node.js applications that incorporate EJS template files. Happy coding!

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