angularjs: dynamic html dependent on json data - html

Question

I want to show the content of my json model in a dynamic way, depending on the provided json. I use ng-repeat to loop through my data and want to display a html template to fill with data dependent on the encountered data type.
JSON
{
"elements": [
{
"type": "input-text",
"desc": "Full Name"
},
{
"type": "input-checkbox",
"desc": "Accept Terms"
}
]
}
This should result in different html code, appropriate filled with the json content.
E.g.
<div><label>Full Name</label> <input type="text"></div>
<div><input type="checkbox"> <label>Accept Terms</label></div>
Right now what I do is to use an angularjs directive to create an element and add the json values to the right spot. e.g. element.html('<div><input type="checkbox"> <label>' + scope.item.desc + '</label></div>') That seems like the jquery way (or worse) to do it although I want to do it the 'right' angularjs way.
How can I use a different HTML template filled with content, dependent on the encountered JSON data?
PS: The above example is a simple one, the encountered data is far more complex than switching the position of the label and input field.

Answer 1

All you need to do is set the data on the scope, then use the ng-repeat directive in your HTML to output it:
Controller:
.controller('MyData', function ($scope) {
$scope.myModel = {
elements: [ { desc: .. }, .. ]
};
})
You would be using the $http service or some other appropriate method in this controller to populate myModel with data, but in the end the data needs to end up on the $scope object somehow. Then it's the template's job to display that data:
<div ng-controller="MyData">
<ul>
<li ng-repeat="element in myModel.elements">
{{ element.desc }}
</li>
</ul>
</div>

Answer 2

A simple solution seems to use ngSwitch with different HTML paths, e.g.:
<div ng-switch="item.type">
<div ng-switch-when="input-text">
<div><label>{{item.desc}}</label> <input type="text"></div>
</div>
<div ng-switch-when="input-checkbox">
<div><input type="checkbox"> <label>{{item.desc}}</label></div>
</div>
<div ng-switch-default>Unknown item.type: {{item.type}}</div>
</div>
Seems the approach using an angularjs directive (which I took first) may be a good solution for complex scenarios as "Huy Hoang Pham" points out in his blog post: http://onehungrymind.com/angularjs-dynamic-templates/ (thanks!)