My new minimal static site generator

2 months ago

Static site generators automatically populate homepages, index pages, and RSS feeds, reducing the risk of missing content.
Unlike CMS like WordPress, static site generators run once to generate the site and are not exposed to the internet, reducing runtime costs and security vulnerabilities.
Many static site generators impose restrictions, such as requiring Markdown, which can be difficult to parse for complex formatting.
HTML is suggested as a simpler alternative to Markdown for web content, as it is natively supported and avoids translation layers.
Custom static site generators offer complete control over site structure, content format (e.g., HTML, LaTeX, plain text), and specific features without relying on external dependencies.
Writing a custom static site generator can be straightforward, with the author's example being a ~700-line C program that replaces more complex tools like Hugo.
The transition to a custom generator may involve converting existing content, but it provides long-term benefits like stability, control, and the ability to implement unique features.
The author advocates for personal website projects to be handcrafted, allowing for easy maintenance, updates, and customization without the constraints of pre-built solutions.

Hasty Briefsbeta