Directives

Variables are used to include dynamic data in a template, while directives permit you to manipulate the content, structure and appearance of the output.

Directives always begin with a # immediately followed by the name of the directive, for example #set. Like references, the name of the directive may be bracketed by a { and a } character. This is useful with directives that are immediately followed by text. For example the following produces an error:

#if($a==1)do this#elsedo that#end

In such a case, use the brackets to separate #else from the rest of the line:

#if($a==1)do this#{else}do that#end

White space and linebreak after a directive is ignored in the output.

Template example
Template	Output
ABC #set($abc=10) DEF #set($def=20) GHI #set($ghi=20)	ABC DEF GHI

If any other character is included before the line break, both white space and line break are included in the output.

Template example
Template	Output
ABC #set($abc=10)* DEF #set($def=20) * GHI #set($ghi=20) *	ABC * DEF * GHI *