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Reflecting on a Former Boss’s Coding Philosophy
Introduction
During my early days in the tech industry, my old boss—a veteran in the field since the early 2000s—had a strong opinion about coding practices. He passionately advocated for using plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, insisting these were the best tools due to their simplicity amidst the ever-evolving tech landscape.
The Argument for Simplicity
His rationale was rooted in the belief that technology is constantly changing, so it’s safer to keep things simple with fundamental tools that will likely remain consistent over time.
My Experience Moving from React to Traditional Methods
I, on the other hand, was coming from a background where I valued React for its modern approach and appreciated Tailwind CSS for its efficiency and ease of use. Transitioning from this mindset to crafting CSS files stretching to thousands of lines—with many dedicated to media queries for a website of just 8-10 pages—felt counterproductive. My efficiency took a noticeable hit.
Embracing Modern Solutions
Nowadays, I’ve shifted to using Next.js and have found it to strike a balance between efficiency and modern functionality, without a significant compromise.
Conclusion and Discussion
I’m curious if anyone else shares my old boss’s perspective. Are there others who prefer sticking to the simplicity of HTML/CSS/JS despite the surge of modern frameworks and libraries?
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2 responses to “My former manager always insisted plain HTML/CSS/JS was superior for coding. Do you agree?”
When considering your old boss’s perspective on sticking with plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript versus using modern tools and frameworks like React, Tailwind CSS, or Next.js, it’s important to weigh the merits of both approaches. Here’s a breakdown of considerations for each side:
Benefits of Plain HTML/CSS/JS
Backward Compatibility: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript have evolved but maintained backward compatibility, ensuring that old projects still work without modification.
Universal Knowledge:
Wide Browser Support: Basic web technologies usually have the broadest and most consistent support across all browsers.
Simplicity and Control:
Drawbacks of Plain HTML/CSS/JS
Benefits of Modern Frameworks (React, Tailwind CSS, Next.js)
CSS Utility Frameworks: Tailwind CSS dramatically reduces the need for writing large CSS files by providing utility classes, enhancing consistency across your site.
Modern Features and Performance:
State Management: Frameworks provide built-in or compatible solutions to handle complex state management smoothly.
Community and Ecosystem:
It’s fascinating to see this discussion around the merits of traditional coding versus modern frameworks. Your former manager’s emphasis on plain HTML, CSS, and JS certainly reflects a mindset that values longevity and adaptability in a rapidly changing tech landscape. There’s a strong argument to be made for simplicity; it often leads to less technical debt and easier maintenance, especially for smaller projects or with new developers who need to quickly grasp the fundamentals.
However, I think it’s essential to consider the context in which we’re developing. For larger applications or dynamic user interfaces, modern frameworks like React, Vue, or Next.js can significantly enhance development efficiency, scalability, and maintainability. They offer tools to manage state, optimize performance, and create interactive user experiences that plain HTML/CSS/JS might struggle with without added complexity.
Ultimately, the choice between simplicity and modernity may depend on project requirements and team dynamics. It may be worth exploring a hybrid approach: using a solid foundation of HTML/CSS/JS for fundamental page structure and styles while leveraging frameworks to handle more complex interactions and features. This way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds—maintaining simplicity where it counts while benefiting from advanced functionalities when necessary.
I’d love to hear how others navigate this balance in their own work! Do you find yourself gravitating towards one end of the spectrum more than the other, and how does your team make those decisions?