How do you guys learn when to use liquid?

[bxaanca]

If for example, I create a HTML/CSS baseline for a section, how do you know when to replace some of these with liquid or add liquid on top of the existing code? I know what objects, tags and filters are, but would like to know some (or any!) of your thought processes when making new sections.

Some things, like for loops for repeaters, do make sense, but things like assign, capture etc. How do you know when to use those, I'm asking the reader personally their own thought process instead of generally.

Thank you!

[sizzlecommerce]

Hi Bxaanca,

When deciding how and when to integrate Liquid into existing HTML/CSS, here are a few guiding principles I personally follow:

1. Dynamic Content Integration: The primary purpose of using Liquid is to introduce dynamic content into the template. Whenever there’s a need for content that changes based on the product, collection, or user data (like product titles, prices, images, etc.), that’s a clear indication to use Liquid tags.

2. Reusability and Flexibility: If a section is meant to be reused across different pages or needs to adapt based on certain conditions (like showing different content for different collections), I use Liquid's control structures like for loops, if statements, etc. This makes the section versatile and adaptable.

3. Assign and Capture: I use assign and capture when I need to store content or calculations for use later in the template. This is particularly useful for keeping the code DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) and organized. For example, if there’s a value or a piece of content that I need to reuse in multiple places within a template, I’ll assign it to a variable.

4. Filters for Formatting: Liquid filters are incredibly useful for formatting content. Whenever there’s data that needs to be formatted (like dates, prices, or text manipulation), I use Liquid filters. It simplifies tasks like changing the case of text, formatting currency, or manipulating strings.

In essence, my approach is to use Liquid when it enhances the functionality, adaptability, and maintainability of the section, always keeping in mind the end goal of providing a seamless and efficient user experience.