1. Core Syntax

Django templates use two key syntax patterns:

• {{ }} for variable interpolation
• {% %} for logical operations (loops, conditions, etc.)

# views.py
from django.shortcuts import render
import datetime

def get_current_timestamp(request):
    profile = {"username": "moon", "age": 22}
    current_datetime = str(datetime.datetime.now())
    return render(request, "timestamp.html", {"current_time": current_datetime, "profile": profile})

<!-- timestamp.html -->
<h1>{{ current_time }}</h1>
<h1>{{ profile.username }}</h1>
<h1>{{ profile.age }}</h1>

<!-- Output -->
<!-- 2025-03-10 14:25:30.123456 -->
<!-- moon -->
<!-- 22 -->

2. Variable Usage

The dot notation is central to accessing nested data structures in Django templtaes. Syntax: {{ variable_name }}

# views.py
def display_index(request):
    sample_dict = {2: 4, "title": "moon"}
    
    # Method 1: Explicit context
    return render(request, "index.html", {"data_dict": sample_dict})
    
    # Method 2: Local variables (includes all variables in scope)
    return render(request, "index.html", locals())

# Supported data types to pass to templates
text = "Hi there!"
numbers = [3, 5, 7, ["x", "xyz"]]
sample_dict = {2: 4, "title": "moon"}
coords = (10, 20, 30)
distinct_values = {1, 3, 5, 7}

def greet_user():
    return "Welcome back!"

class Product:
    def __init__(self, name, price):
        self.product_name = name
        self.price = price
    
    def get_discount_price(self):
        return self.price * 0.9

product_obj = Product("Laptop", 999.99)

Variable Types & Access Methods

Type	View Definition	Template Access Examples	Output
String	text = "Hi there!"	{{ message }}	Hi there!
List	numbers = [3,5,7,["x","xyz"]]	{{ num_list.1 }} {{ num_list.3.0 }}	5 x
Dictionary	sample_dict = {2:4, "title":"moon"}	{{ data_dict.title }}	moon
Tuple	coords = (10,20,30)	{{ coordinates.2 }}	30
Set	distinct_values = {1,3,5,7}	{{ unique_values }}	{1,3,5,7}
Function	def greet_user(): ...	{{ greet }}	Welcome back!
Object	product_obj = Product(...)	{{ item.product_name }} {{ item.get_discount_price }}	Laptop 899.991

Note: All iterable types can be looped over using {% for item in iterable %} <p>{{ item }}</p> {% endfor %}.