Syntax highlighting in Jekyll based on YAML variable

Question

When writing markdown with code to be read by Jekyll, you can enable syntax highlighting with

{% highlight python %}
x = ('a', 1, False)
{% endhighlight %}

However, this becomes a bit verbose if you constantly switch between code and text. Is it possible to introduce a YAML variable in the header, like

---
layout: page
title: "Syntax highlighting"
tags : [python, jekyll]
language: python
---

so that every code block on this page will be highlighted like python, but only needs to be indented, and not fenced off?

Answer 1

Fenced blocks were introduced with Redcarpet 2. Jekyll now appears to support Redcarpet 2.

~~~ python
x = ('a', 1, False)
~~~

If you want it a little simpler you can make it a two-liner, but that’s the best deal you’re going to get.

    x = ('a', 1, False)
{:.language-python}