[Spring] Thymeleaf with Spring Boot

What is Thymeleaf?

• Thymeleaf is Java templating engine
• Commonly used to generate the HTML views for web apps
• However, it is a general purpose templating engine
  • Can use Thymeleaf outside of web apps (more on this later)

• You can create Java apps with Thymeleaf
• No need for Spring
• But there is a lof od synergy between the two projects

• Can be an HTML page with some Thymeleaf expressions
• Include dynamic content from Thymeleaf expressions

  Can access Java code, objects Spring beans

Where is the Thymeleaf template porcessed?

• In a web app, Thymeleaf is processed on the server
• Results included in HTML returned to browser

Development Process

1. Add Thymeleaf to Maven POM file
2. Develop Spring MVC Controller
3. Create Thymeleaf template

Step 1: Add Thymeleaf to Maven pom file

Based on this, Spring Boot will auto configures to use Thymeleaf templates

Step 2: Develop Spring MVC Contoller

Where to place Thymeleaf template?

• In Spring Boot, your Thymeleaf template files go in
  • src/main/resources/templates
• For web apps, Thymeleaf templates have a .html extension

Step 3: Create Thymeleaf template

Additional Features

• Looping and conditionals
• CSS and JavaScript integration
• Template layouts and fragments

Using CSS with Thymleaf Templates

• You have the option of using
  • Local CSS files as part of your project
  • Referencing remote CSS files
• We’ll cover both options in this video

Development Process

1. Create CSS file
2. Reference CSS in Thymeleaf template
3. Apply CSS style

Step 1: Create CSS file

• Spring Boot will look for static resources in the directory
  • src/main/resources/static

Step 2: Reference CSS in Thymeleaf template

Step 3: Apply CSS

Other search directories

• Spring Boot will search following directories for static resources:

  /src/main/resources

3rd Party CSS Libraries - Bootstrap

• Local Installation
• Download Bootstrap file(s) and add to /static/css directory

• Remote files