How to output ${expression} in Freemarker without it being interpreted?

Question

I\'m trying to use Freemarker in conjunction with jQuery Templates.

Both frameworks use dollar sign/curly brackets to identify expressions for substitution (or as th

Answer 1

For longer sections without FreeMarker markup, use <#noparse>...</#noparse>.

Starting with FreeMarker 2.3.28, configure FreeMarker to use square bracket syntax ([=exp]) instead of brace syntax (${exp}) by setting the interpolation_syntax configuration option to square_bracket.

Note that unlike the tag syntax, the interpolation syntax cannot be specified inside the template. Changing the interpolation syntax requires calling the Java API:

Configuration cfg;
// ...
cfg.setInterpolationSyntax(SQUARE_BRACKET_INTERPOLATION_SYNTAX);

Then FreeMarker will consider ${exp} to be static text.

Do not confuse interpolation syntax with tag syntax, which also can have square_bracket value, but is independent of the interpolation syntax.

When using FreeMarker-based file PreProcessor (FMPP), either configure the setting via config.fmpp or on the command-line, such as:

fmpp --verbose --interpolation-syntax squareBracket ...

This will call the appropriate Java API prior to processing the file.

See also:

• https://freemarker.apache.org/docs/dgui_misc_alternativesyntax.html
• http://fmpp.sourceforge.net/settings.html#templateSyntax

Answer 2

Another option is to use #include with parse=false option. That is, put your jQuery Templates into the separate include page and use parse=false so that freemarker doesn't try and parse it.

This would be a good option when the templates are larger and contain double quotes.