Understanding the strange behavior of Gulp Useref after HTML Injection

This guide uncovers the mystery behind Gulp Useref's strange behavior when injecting HTML. Discover how a simple character change can resolve your issues.
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Understanding the Strange Behavior of Gulp Useref After HTML Injection

When working with Gulp and its useref plugin, developers occasionally encounter peculiar behavior that can lead to frustration. One common issue arises when using HTML comments for injecting assets, preventing the expected output. In this guide, we'll break down the problem and provide a clear solution, so you can streamline your workflow and focus on building great applications.

The Problem Defined

Let’s begin by examining the setup that leads to the strange behavior of Gulp Useref after HTML injection.

Your Project Setup

You have a basic project structure with the following components:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The Gulp Task

The Gulp configuration you are using is as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

What Goes Wrong?

When the Gulp task is executed, the CSS link should be processed and injected into the HTML. However, the problem arises when you uncomment the injStr line, remove the previous comments, and run the task again. The expected transformation does not take place, and Gulp Useref seemingly performs no action.

The Solution Discovered

After some investigation, the culprit behind the issue has been identified: the carriage return character.

Important Detail: Carriage Return Characters

When you were initially using nl with just '\n', the line breaks did not match the expected format for Gulp. To fix this, you should use '\r\n' instead. This small change allows Gulp to detect the injection of HTML strings properly.

Updated Gulp Task Code

Here’s how you can update your Gulp task:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Summary

By making the switch from '\n' to '\r\n', you ensure that the Gulp Useref plugin accurately processes the injected HTML comments. This adjustment could save you hours of troubleshooting time each time you encounter similar issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you find your Gulp Useref not behaving as expected after HTML injection, remember to check for proper line breaks. A simple tweak like using the correct carriage return characters can lead to smoother operations and a more efficient development process. Happy coding!