Static Site Generators

Abstract

In the previous chapters, we talked about the static Web and the emergence of a new type of web called Web 2.0 or the dynamic Web. This would eventually turn out to be a major paradigm shift, but what were the implications of this transition from static to Web 2.0? In this chapter, we explore the impact of that transition and particularly how it would come to influence the world of blogging. The dynamic Web had far-reaching consequences for what it meant to be an Internet company, and how people interacted with the Web itself to tell a story. The history of blogging deeply intertwines with the development of content management systems that people were using during that time to blog and write. We review how content management systems came about and some of the common problems associated with using them. Out of those frustrations, one developer decided to switch over entirely from content management to static web sites and thus Jekyll was born. We explore his rationale behind creating a static generator and why blogging with a static web site makes sense. Finally, this chapter ends by showcasing a few of the most popular static site generators presently in use.