datatotemplate

Datatotemplate is a design pattern and tooling approach in which structured data is combined with a template to produce a rendered output. The concept emphasizes the separation of content (data) from presentation (template), allowing a single data source to drive multiple outputs through different templates. It is widely used in software development, document generation, and automated communications.

Typically, a datatotemplate system contains three parts: a data model that holds the input values, a template that defines how those values should be presented, and a renderer that substitutes data values into the template to produce the final document or page. Data inputs are commonly formatted as JSON or YAML, while templates use placeholder syntax from languages such as Mustache, Handlebars, Jinja, or Liquid.

Common use cases include generating dynamic web pages from a central data source, producing personalized emails, creating configuration files, and automating reports with consistent formatting. Benefits include easier maintenance, reusability of templates, simpler localization, and consistent branding. Challenges include handling untrusted templates, performance considerations for large data sets, and ensuring data validity and template compatibility. Related concepts include template engines and data binding.