Difference between Template Helper and Template Variable in Meteor.js

Question

What is the difference between using a Template Helper and a Template Variable (incorrect term?)? When do you decide which to use?

In the example below, both Template.apple.price function and the quantity function in Template.apple.helpers appear to do the same thing.

<template name="apple">
    {{price}}
    {{quantity}}
</template>



Template.apple.price = function() {
    return 20;
}

Template.apple.helpers({
    'quantity': function() {
        return 100;
    }
});

Answer 1

Nothing, as explained in this section of the docs . The only difference that the second way allows you to use more keywords. For example, you can't do this:

Template.foo.events = function() { /*...*/ };

But you can do this:

Template.foo.helpers({
    "events": function() { /*...*/ }
});