The Howdy Glossary

Jekyll is an open-source content management system (CMS) that builds static websites by processing plain text files in formats like Markdown, Liquid, and HTML. This eliminates the need for databases to manage dynamic content, thereby simplifying web development projects. Jekyll's lightweight structure ensures compatibility with various hosting services and version control systems, making it a versatile tool for developers aiming for simplicity and speed in their workflows.

Created by Tom Preston-Werner, co-founder of GitHub, Jekyll was released as an open-source project in 2008 to provide a simple and efficient alternative to traditional CMS platforms. The system is designed to decouple the front end from the back end, allowing developers to focus more on creating visually appealing user interfaces while managing content seamlessly. Its ability to generate static websites from plain text files means that it can be easily integrated with existing hosting services like GitHub Pages.

Jekyll competes with other tools such as Hugo, Gatsby, and Next.js. While Hugo also focuses on speed and simplicity as an open-source static site generator, Gatsby offers React-based development with a rich ecosystem of plugins. Next.js combines dynamic capabilities with static site generation within its framework for building React applications. Jekyll's competitive edge lies in its straightforward approach—processing plain text files without needing databases—and its emphasis on efficiency and ease of integration with hosting services and version control systems. This makes it particularly appealing for developers seeking quick solutions for building static sites while maintaining clean user interfaces.