Is it possible to pass a model to a layout in Express? - node.js

Question

I know that it is possible to pass a model to a view in express by doing something like this:
exports.locations = function(req, res){
Location.find(function(err, results) {
res.render('locations', { title: 'Locations', locations: results });
});
};
But is it possible to pass a model to my layout?

Answer 1

Assuming you have all (relevant) routes inside a single .js file, you could add a function like this:
function applyGlobals(pageModel) {
pageModel.myGlobalThing = "I'm always available";
pageModel.anotherGlobalThing = 8675309;
return(pageModel);
}
exports.locations = function(req, res){
Location.find(function(err, results) {
res.render('locations', applyGlobals({ title: 'Locations', locations: results }));
});
};
You could also create a more generalizable solution:
function Globalizer(baseContent) {
var theFunc = function(specificContent) {
var keys = Object.keys(baseContent);
for (var i = 0; i < keys.length; i++)
{
// the lets the page content override global content by not
// overwriting it if it exists;
if(!specificContent.hasOwnProperty(keys[i])){
specificContent[keys[i]] = baseContent[keys[i]];
}
}
return specificContent;
};
return theFunc;
};
// And use it like so.
var applyGlobals = new Globalizer({global1: 12, global2: 'otherthing'});
var pageVars = applyGlobals({item1: 'fifteen', 'item2': 15, global2: 'override'});
console.log(require('util').inspect(pageVars));
Which would emit:
{ item1: 'fifteen',
item2: 15,
global2: 'override',
global1: 12 }
Similarly, you could use one of the various mixin, extend assign or similar functions of various libraries like lodash, underscore, etc. See the doc for lodash.assign() which illustrates accomplishing the same sort of thing.
UPDATE One more way of doing it.
You might want to check out Express' app.locals documentation as well - it might work well for you.