Static site generators have evolved significantly over the years. This post explores why they remain relevant and how to build one from scratch.

Why Static Sites?

Static sites offer several advantages:

  1. Performance: No server-side processing means faster load times
  2. Security: Reduced attack surface with no database or server logic
  3. Simplicity: Easy to version control and deploy
  4. Cost: Can be hosted for free on platforms like GitHub Pages

The Core Components

A basic static site generator needs:

  • Markdown Parser: Convert markdown to HTML
  • Template Engine: Generate consistent page layouts
  • Build System: Process content and output static files

Here's a visual representation of the build flow:

Static Site Generator Flow Diagram

Our Implementation

This site uses: - Python for the build script - Jinja2 for templating - Markdown with YAML front-matter for content

# Example: Loading a post
post = Post('content/posts/my-post.md')
print(post.title, post.date)

Design Philosophy

The design emphasizes: - Minimalism: Clean, distraction-free reading experience - Typography: Readable serif fonts for body text - Color: Warm, inviting palette inspired by natural tones

Conclusion

Building your own static site generator is a rewarding exercise. It gives you complete control over your content and workflow while keeping things simple.

Try it out and make it your own!