\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [February 16, 2007, 12:13am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/confused-over-best-for-views-rhtml-rjs-haml-as-or-mv/85744 "2007-02-16T00:13:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1
**Author:**  [@yitzhakbg](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/yitzhakbg)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 12:13am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/confused-over-best-for-views-rhtml-rjs-haml-as-or-mv/85744/1 "2007-02-16T00:13:27Z")
Could someone please help make a clear recommendation?
What would be the preferable method of developing Rails views?
Uset to be RHTML. Now we’ve got RJS, HAML, AjaxScaffold, MasterView
and that might not be the whole list.
We’re getting into Rails and would like to concentrate on the best
method for generating and maintaining views.
Thanks,
Yitzhak
---
**Author:**  [@yitzhakbg](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/yitzhakbg)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 12:29am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/confused-over-best-for-views-rhtml-rjs-haml-as-or-mv/85744/2 "2007-02-16T00:29:28Z")
> What would be the preferable method of developing Rails views?
it depends on what you want to do.
rhtml renders html. rjs renders javascript, etc. etc. You should use
the tool that fits the job. But take the time to learn about what
tools are available to you.
hth
---
**Author:**  [@yitzhakbg](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/yitzhakbg)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/confused-over-best-for-views-rhtml-rjs-haml-as-or-mv/85744/3 "2007-02-16T00:37:28Z")
“You should use the tool that fits the job.”
Yes, but what are the recommendations as to what the best tool is. I
want Javascript, but there’s RJS, AjaxScaffold, MasterView and Haml.
Any recommendations?
---
**Author:**  [@yitzhakbg](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/yitzhakbg)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/confused-over-best-for-views-rhtml-rjs-haml-as-or-mv/85744/4 "2007-02-16T02:58:40Z")
On Feb 16, 10:36 am, “yitzhakbg” [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:
> “You should use the tool that fits the job.”
> Yes, but what are the recommendations as to what the best tool is. I
> want Javascript, but there’s RJS, AjaxScaffold, MasterView and Haml.
> Any recommendations?
It’s not a question that can easily be answered. What makes sense to
one person may seem uncomfortable and weird to another.
HAML is a good example. Once you get what all the symbols mean (and
they have done a good job of keeping the distance between the HAML and
HTML/CSS code short) it makes sense. To others the syntax is too far
from RHTML, the learning curve to too steep, they don’t have time, see
the advantage or just don’t want to switch brain-modes between ruby
and haml all the time.
For me, RHTML allows me to stay in “ruby mode” and code the views.
This suits by PHP background as it mixes \<%%\> tags with HTML (without
all the logic, of course). The downside is I still need to ensure all
the tags are closed, etc. I see HAML as the next step for me, and
SASS will wake me from my CSS nightmare.
In the end, choose what feels right for you.
---
**Author:**  [@yitzhakbg](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/yitzhakbg)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 5:53am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/confused-over-best-for-views-rhtml-rjs-haml-as-or-mv/85744/5 "2007-02-16T05:53:50Z")
On 2/15/07, askegg [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:
> one person may seem uncomfortable and weird to another.
> all the logic, of course). The downside is I still need to ensure all
> the tags are closed, etc. I see HAML as the next step for me, and
> SASS will wake me from my CSS nightmare.
>
> In the end, choose what feels right for you.
I have to agree with Andrew and Toby, each has its advantages, so it
really
depends on what you are looking for in a feature set and how you prefer
to
work. Learn about each one and try a few of them out and see what feels
best
to you.
For me, I created the MasterView project because I wanted a WYSIWYG
editing
capability but didn’t want to give up any of the power of ERB, layouts,
and
partials. If that is one of your needs then you might want to check it
out.
I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about it.
In the end though, it’s really what fits right for your style and needs.
Blessings,
Jeff
---
**Author:**  [@yitzhakbg](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/yitzhakbg)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2007, 4:22pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/confused-over-best-for-views-rhtml-rjs-haml-as-or-mv/85744/6 "2007-02-17T16:22:39Z")
My three cents… Coming from a more HTML/CSS based background I found
Haml
to be a better fit. I understand the allure of the more Ruby templating
systems but for me since the end result is going to be HTML, it makes
more
sense to use something more oriented around it. Plus it’s hella sexy.
But
the point that I think we’re all making is that there’s no one right
choice.
If you’ve never used _any_ of the choices perhaps it’s best though to
give
the default ERb/RHTML a try. Since most of the documentation everywhere
assumes you’ll be using that. Then, once you’re more comfortable, you
might
try some other ones. Might I suggest the lean and lovely Haml??
RSL