Introduction to HTL (HTML Template Language) in AEM

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a powerful content management system widely used to build dynamic and scalable digital experiences. One of the key technologies that make AEM development both secure and efficient is HTL (HTML Template Language)—formerly known as Sightly.

HTL is Adobe’s recommended server-side templating language, designed to replace JSP (JavaServer Pages) for building component-based UIs in AEM. In this blog, we’ll explore what HTL is, why it’s important, and how developers can start using it in AEM projects.


🔍 What is HTL?

HTL (HTML Template Language) is a secure, readable, and maintainable templating language used to develop AEM components and pages. It allows developers to combine HTML markup with dynamic data from AEM’s backend (Java models, Sling objects, etc.) without writing Java code inside the HTML.

HTL promotes a clear separation between presentation logic and business logic. Instead of embedding Java code directly into HTML (as in JSP), HTL uses simple expressions and attributes that are evaluated by the AEM runtime.


✅ Why Use HTL?

HTL brings several key advantages to AEM development:

Security: Prevents common security risks such as XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) by default.

Readability: Cleaner syntax makes it easier for front-end developers to understand and work with.

Separation of Concerns: Keeps business logic in Java classes (models) and presentation logic in templates.

Performance: Optimized by Adobe for high performance in enterprise-scale projects.


🧱 Basic Syntax and Structure

HTL uses a mix of HTML and special attributes or expressions to inject dynamic content.

1. Variable Output

To print a variable:

html



<p>${currentPage.title}</p>

This will output the title of the current AEM page.


2. Use-API

To call Java logic or Sling models, you can define them using the data-sly-use attribute:


html



<div data-sly-use.model="com.mysite.core.models.HeroModel">

  <h1>${model.title}</h1>

</div>

3. Conditional Rendering

Use data-sly-test for conditionals:


html


<div data-sly-test="${model.showBanner}">

  <p>Welcome to the site!</p>

</div>

4. Loops

To iterate over a list:


html


<ul data-sly-list.item="${model.items}">

  <li>${item.name}</li>

</ul>

🧩 Integrating Java with HTL (Sling Models)

HTL works seamlessly with Sling Models, which are Java classes that provide data to the frontend.

Example Java Model:


java


@Model(adaptables = Resource.class)

public class HeroModel {

    @Inject

    private String title;


    public String getTitle() {

        return title;

    }

}

This model can be called in HTL and its properties accessed as shown earlier.


🛡️ Security by Default

One of HTL's standout features is its automatic HTML escaping, which prevents developers from inadvertently introducing vulnerabilities. If raw HTML is needed, you must explicitly indicate it using:


html


${model.description @ context='html'}

This ensures deliberate and controlled rendering of dynamic HTML.


🏁 Final Thoughts

HTL has revolutionized AEM development by making templates cleaner, more secure, and easier to maintain. By encouraging developers to separate logic from presentation and by shielding them from common web vulnerabilities, HTL represents a major step forward from traditional JSP.


Learn AEM(Adobe Experience Manager) Training

Read More:  What is Apache Sling and How Does it Power AEM?
Read More:  Working with Sling Models in AEM
Read More:  AEM Components: Core vs Custom Components


Visit IHUB Talent Training Institute in Hyderabad
Get Direction

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Use Tosca's Test Configuration Parameters

Tosca by Tricentis is a powerful model-based test automation tool widely used in enterprise environments for end-to-end testing. One of its most useful features is Test Configuration Parameters (TCPs), which provide flexibility and control in managing test execution. TCPs enable testers to create reusable test cases by passing dynamic values without hardcoding them. This significantly enhances test maintenance, scalability, and efficiency. In this blog, we’ll explore what Test Configuration Parameters are, how to create and use them, and the best practices to follow when working with TCPs in Tosca. What Are Test Configuration Parameters? Test Configuration Parameters are custom-defined key-value pairs that can be associated with test cases, test case folders, or execution lists in Tosca. They help manage configuration data such as environment URLs, browser types, credentials, or any other variable data that may differ across test runs. By using TCPs, you can avoid duplicating test case...
Read more

Tosca Licensing: Types and Considerations

 Tosca by Tricentis is a widely used, enterprise-level automation testing tool known for its model-based approach, scriptless testing, and support for a wide range of applications (web, desktop, mobile, API, etc.). As organizations look to implement Tosca into their quality assurance processes, one of the key areas to understand is its licensing model. In this blog, we’ll explore the various types of Tosca licenses, key considerations for choosing the right license, and best practices to manage licensing efficiently within your test automation ecosystem. 🔑 Why Licensing Matters in Tosca Tosca is a commercial tool, and proper licensing is crucial to access its full range of capabilities, manage costs, scale efficiently, and remain compliant with Tricentis’s usage policies. The right licensing setup ensures that testers and teams can collaborate effectively without disruptions due to access or resource limitations. 📌 Types of Tosca Licenses Tricentis offers several licensing types ...
Read more

Using Hibernate ORM for Fullstack Java Data Management

In the world of fullstack Java development, managing data efficiently and seamlessly across the application is critical. One of the most powerful tools in the Java ecosystem for handling database operations is Hibernate ORM (Object-Relational Mapping). Hibernate simplifies the interaction between Java applications and relational databases, reducing boilerplate code and improving maintainability. This blog explores how Hibernate ORM works, why it’s widely used, and how it fits into the data management strategy of a fullstack Java application. What is Hibernate ORM? Hibernate ORM is an open-source Java framework that provides a powerful and flexible mechanism for mapping Java objects to database tables. It abstracts the low-level JDBC code, allowing developers to work with high-level object-oriented concepts. Instead of writing raw SQL queries, Hibernate allows developers to define database interactions using simple Java classes (also known as POJOs) and annotations or XML configurations...
Read more