Can you share data across multiple templates?

Question

I sometimes find myself declaring the same data to multiple templates. For example:

Template.auction_page.auctionDurations = function () {
  return [ 30, 60, 120 ];
};

Template.auction_editor.auctionDurations = function () {
  return [ 30, 60, 120 ];
};

I can make it better by using a global:

Template.auction_page.auctionDurations = function () {
  return global.auctionDurations;
};

Template.auction_editor.auctionDurations = function () {
  return global.auctionDurations;
};

But is there any way to get rid of the declarations altogether? In other words, is there any way to share some global data to multiple templates by default?

Answer 1

Found a good solution (with the help of a Helper!).

Your global:

global = _.extend({}, {
  regions: [ "Americas", "Europe", "Asia" ]
}

The helper:

Handlebars.registerHelper("global", function(name) {
    return global[name];
});

Now all your templates can make use of it:

<select>
  {{#each global "regions"}}
  <option>{{this}}</option>
  {{/each}}
</select>

Answer 2

The use of a helper function is a pretty good general purpose solution. For completeness, you can also do a simple assignment:

Template.auction_page.auctionDurations = Template.auction_editor.auctionDurations;