> Working with isolate scope and transclusion is tough, and Angular’s documentation on the subject doesn’t make it easier. We found that before jumping into writing an ambitious directive, it’s best to start by not writing a directive — just using normal templates and controllers — and then roll that code into a directive once you really figure out what your requirements are, or once you start repeating yourself..
Directives are, IMO, the most powerful parts of angular. They're also the most confusing. OP makes a great suggestion here that I'd recommend as well: Start with a normal template & controller then refactor into a directive later. In my experience, I've found that it's been useful to focus less on the DOM manipulation that needs to take place and more on the where the data collected needs to flow. In this way the directive just becomes the "glue" between a tiny area of the DOM and a parent controller and/or scope.
I guess you could liken them to the behavior/logic you'd have in a backbone view? That may be a stretch though. Powerful nonetheless.
Directives are, IMO, the most powerful parts of angular. They're also the most confusing. OP makes a great suggestion here that I'd recommend as well: Start with a normal template & controller then refactor into a directive later. In my experience, I've found that it's been useful to focus less on the DOM manipulation that needs to take place and more on the where the data collected needs to flow. In this way the directive just becomes the "glue" between a tiny area of the DOM and a parent controller and/or scope.
I guess you could liken them to the behavior/logic you'd have in a backbone view? That may be a stretch though. Powerful nonetheless.