MotoGP riders do not turn their handles while racing because it would be inefficient and potentially dangerous. When a rider turns the handle, it turns the front wheel, and can cause the bike to lose traction, slowing the rider down. Additionally, turning the handle increases the risk of the rider losing control, crashing, or losing the race. As a result, riders must rely on body positioning in order to control the bike and maintain optimum speed. By leaning the body, riders can make the bike turn, creating a smoother overall ride and allowing them to remain in the race.
Handlebars Basics – What You Need to Know
Ever wondered how some websites fill in data without a big page reload? Handlebars is the tiny helper that makes that happen. It’s a JavaScript template engine that lets you write HTML with placeholders, then swap in real values when the page loads. Think of it as a mail‑merge for the web – you set up the form once, then feed it data over and over.
The biggest win with Handlebars is its simplicity. You don’t need a heavy framework, just a script tag or an npm install, and you can start mixing variables, loops, and conditionals right away. Because the syntax stays close to plain HTML, designers can read the files without digging through code.
Getting Started with Handlebars
First, grab the library. If you’re using a build tool, run npm install handlebars. For a quick test, drop the CDN link in your page and you’re ready to go. Next, write a template:
<script id="item-template" type="text/x-handlebars-template">
<div class="item">
<h2>{{title}}</h2>
{{#if description}}
<p>{{description}}</p>
{{/if}}
<ul>
{{#each tags}}
<li>{{this}}</li>
{{/each}}
</ul>
</div>
</script>Notice the double curly braces – that’s where the data goes. {{title}} pulls a string, {{#if description}} shows a paragraph only if a description exists, and {{#each tags}} loops over an array.
To turn that template into real HTML, you compile it with JavaScript:
var source = document.getElementById('item-template').innerHTML;
var template = Handlebars.compile(source);
var context = { title: 'Speed Racer', description: 'Fast car news.', tags: ['racing', 'news'] };
var html = template(context);
document.body.innerHTML += html;The compile step creates a function that you can reuse with different data objects. This makes it perfect for lists, dashboards, or any spot where the layout repeats but the content changes.
Advanced Tips and Common Pitfalls
Once you’re comfortable with basics, add helpers. Helpers are tiny functions you register to extend Handlebars’ power. For example, a formatDate helper can turn a timestamp into a readable string:
Handlebars.registerHelper('formatDate', function(date) {
return new Date(date).toLocaleDateString();
});
// In template: {{formatDate createdAt}}Beware of over‑using helpers – they’re great for formatting, but heavy logic belongs in your JavaScript, not the template.
Another tip: pre‑compile templates during your build step. This reduces the work the browser does at runtime and speeds up page loads. Tools like handlebars-cli or Webpack loaders handle that for you.
If you see blank output, double‑check your data keys. Handlebars silently ignores missing values, so a typo can leave a hole you don’t notice right away.
Finally, keep your templates tidy. Use whitespace control ({{~}}) when you need to trim extra line breaks, and comment sections with {{!-- comment --}} to stay organized.
That’s the core of Handlebars – a lightweight way to merge data with HTML without the bloat. Play around, swap in your own data, and you’ll see why developers keep reaching for it when they need fast, readable templates.