HAML vs Pug: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the key differences between HAML and Pug, two popular markup languages used for generating HTML code.

1. Syntax: HAML uses a significant whitespace syntax, where indentation determines the nesting of elements. On the other hand, Pug uses a combination of indentation and brackets to define the structure of the markup. This makes HAML more similar to Python-like syntax, while Pug resembles JavaScript-like syntax.

2. File Extension: HAML files have a .haml extension, while Pug files have a .pug extension. This difference in file extensions allows developers and build tools to easily distinguish between the two markup languages.

3. Line Termination: HAML requires each line of code to be terminated with a new line character, making it easier to read and understand. In contrast, Pug allows multiple elements to be written on a single line, improving the visual compactness of the code.

4. Attributes: HAML uses a shorthand attribute syntax, where attributes are defined inside parentheses following the element's name. Pug, on the other hand, uses a more explicit attribute syntax, with attributes defined using key-value pairs within brackets. This syntax difference affects the readability and visual style of the code.

5. Comments: HAML uses the #{#comment} syntax for comments, while Pug uses the //- comment syntax. The difference in comment syntax is important when writing and maintaining code, as it affects the way developers add and remove comments throughout the codebase.

6. Interpolation: HAML uses the #{} syntax for interpolation, allowing dynamic content to be inserted within the markup. Pug, however, uses the #{} syntax for indentation, making it incompatible with HAML's interpolation syntax. Developers need to be aware of this difference when migrating or working with projects that use either language.

In Summary, HAML and Pug differ in syntax, file extension, line termination, attribute and comment syntax, as well as interpolation. These differences impact the way developers write and read code in each language.