Smarty
Smarty is a template engine for PHP that separates presentation logic from business logic by using template files with a custom syntax. It compiles templates into PHP code for improved performance and provides features like caching, variable modifiers, and custom functions. Originally developed in 2001, it is widely used in legacy PHP applications and content management systems.
Developers should learn Smarty when maintaining or working with older PHP projects, such as those built with frameworks like Drupal, PrestaShop, or legacy custom applications. It is useful for enforcing a clean separation between PHP code and HTML templates, and its caching capabilities can optimize performance in high-traffic scenarios. However, for modern PHP development, newer template engines or native PHP are often preferred.