Cradle software is a server-side rendered CMS with Liquid templating. This means that themes for websites are created with HTML, CSS, javascript and the templating language Liquid.
SSR is an acronym for Server-Side Rendering and means the server generates a final version of the HTML file. The software, commonly referred to as a CMS (Content Management System), on the server does so by processing logic and inserting content before sending the HTML file to the client (the browser).
SSR can be compared with CSR (Client-Side Rendering), a technique where the client recieves a minimal HTML file which is further rendered by the client. A website created with the CSR technique is referred to as an SPA, Single Page Application.
Progressive enhancement and SSR
Progressive enhancement is a front-end development approach which starts with building the HTML structure, then adding styles and layout improvements with CSS and in the last step functionality with JS.
This approach fails gracefully without Javascript enabled and gives a good basis for accessibility and overall machine readability, as the html structure is well planned. It is a great fit for governmental sites that needs to serve all types of visitors.
Governmental sites |
High security segment |
Bad infrastructure |
|---|---|---|
Govenmental sites needs to serve all, this includes users that have old devices, choose not to enable javascript or have bad internet connections |
People working in high security environments not allowed to have javascript enabled. |
Bad cellphone service and unstable energy systems on country level or regional, such as countryside. Elevators and underground train tunnels in larger cities with overall good infrastructure. |
Theme development in Cradle
An installation with Cradle software comes with a prebuilt theme for quick launch of a site or online store but themes have full code access and freedom to create unique experiences. Furhtermore the default content editor ( a rich text editor) can be changed to a HTML editor on any page, article or product page for more creative freedom.