Why nothing runs at serve time
A page that runs is a page that can fail. A page that is a file cannot fail, and cannot fail is the claim.
The claim of this subject
Content in, files out, one build. That triple is what every later lesson shapes.
What a generator is for
A generator takes content and writes pages. The writing is the whole point, and the point is that the pages are files before they are served.
What you will see
Two lines. Zero work at serve is the claim.
About 1 min of reading
Try It
Write the triple
1
Write the input
printf 'title=Hello body=world\n' > /tmp/c.txt; cat /tmp/c.txt
Before you run it, say out loud what it will print. Then open the answer.
What it prints
One line with a shape. The shape is written down, which is the claim.
2
Write the output
printf '
Hello
\nworld
\n' > /tmp/p.html; wc -c < /tmp/p.htmlBefore you run it, say out loud what it will print. Then open the answer.
What it prints
A byte count. The page is a file, which is the output.
3
Write the cost
printf 'build 1\nserve 0\n' > /tmp/k.txt; cat /tmp/k.txt
Before you run it, say out loud what it will print. Then open the answer.
What it prints
Two lines. Zero work at serve is the claim.
Data Flow
Content to files
1
The content is read with its shape
↓
2
The templates give the pages a shape
↓
3
The pages are written as files
↓
4
The server hands out the files
Why this works
Examples
The input is content
Content is data with a shape. A shape that is written down is a shape a reader can change.
The output is files
Files, not answers. Files are what a server can hand out without asking the generator.
The build is the cost
The cost is paid once at build. Paying once is what makes serving free.