Haml Sucks for Content

[raganwald]

terrible title, this post actually explains how to use Haml the plugin to generate all sorts of content using its existing features like filters properly. The confusion is that "Haml" refers to Haml the plug-in as well as Haml the syntax for generating HTML. The syntax is not ideal for content, and that's why it supports things like inline HTML and markdown filters, just as the outline explains.

[dazmax]

The article could be replaced by the sentence: "Make sure you know about filters before using haml for content."

Filters aren't a "workaround," they are the part of the language for handling content.

http://haml-lang.com/docs/yardoc/file.HAML_REFERENCE.html#fi...

[grandalf]

The title is in the reddit linkbait genre that is becoming increasingly common on HN.

[mhartl]

As an experienced and enthusiastic Haml user, I find that this matches my experience exactly. If you're a Haml-hater, please read this post.

[marstall]

the only thing it's really ideal for is software engineers writing their own HTML. in professional team environments in my experience designers always like to be able to at least dip in to HTML, and as "illogical" as this might seem to a programmer, they are never going to learn something like HAML - it's just too complex and programmery.

[tptacek]

And that's a red herring, because unless you keep a designer on staff, in real systems designer markup never hits the wires. Even pure HTML still gets broken up into templates and partials.

Software developers may not have to design their own HTML, but they sure as hell have to write it.

[coderdude]

I'm half programmer, half Web developer. I'm great at both (I don't mind saying). Being from both worlds, I don't get the need for HAML. HTML is so easy as it is. From my point of view, any programmer who can't write HTML with proficiency is deficient somehow.

[Nwallins]

FTA:

Inline your HTML: That’s right. Just put some HTML into your Haml document. Don’t be afraid, it’ll be just fine.

[retro]

I agree that the problems HAML creates for collaboration between programmers and designers - who, as you say will never learn HAML - is the key limitation of HAML - a limitation also discussed by James Britt in his excellent post on the topic: http://www.jamesbritt.com/2009/4/29/thoughts-on-haml.