Pug vs Sass: What are the differences?

1. 1. Syntax Difference: Pug, formerly known as Jade, is a templating engine that uses indentation-based syntax, similar to Python, whereas Sass is a stylesheet language that introduces new syntax elements like nesting, variables, mixins, and more, making it easier to write and manage CSS code efficiently.

2. 2. File Extension Difference: Pug files have a ".pug" extension, while Sass files have a ".sass" or ".scss" extension. Pug files are used to create HTML templates, while Sass files are used to create CSS stylesheets.

3. 3. Primary Purpose Difference: Pug is mainly used for generating dynamic HTML content, as it allows for the creation of reusable components and layouts. On the other hand, Sass is primarily used for enhancing the productivity of CSS development by adding features like variables, mixins, and functions to make the code more maintainable and reusable.

4. 4. Output Difference: Pug compiles into HTML, which is rendered by the web browser, while Sass compiles into CSS, which is interpreted by the browser to determine the styling of HTML elements.

5. 5. Code Structure Difference: Pug uses indentation for defining the structure of the HTML document, which enhances readability and reduces the amount of code needed. Sass implements nesting, allowing for hierarchical organization of styles, making it easier to manage and modify CSS properties.

6. 6. Compatibility Difference: Pug requires a template engine or runtime compiler like JavaScript to interpret and render the code, which means it is not directly compatible with web browsers. On the other hand, Sass can be directly interpreted by web browsers, as it compiles into standard CSS code.

In summary, Pug is a templating engine used for generating dynamic HTML, with indentation-based syntax, while Sass is a stylesheet language that introduces new syntax elements like nesting and variables, enhancing the productivity of CSS development.