This Dot Blog
This Dot provides teams with technical leaders who bring deep knowledge of the web platform. We help teams set new standards, and deliver results predictably.
Remix's evolution to a Vite plugin
As Remix evolves into a Vite plugin, the story of React Router continues, promising exciting developments in the React Server Components era....
Jul 10, 2024
4 mins
React Version Transitions, Library Updates, and Why Standards Bodies are so Complex with JLarky
On this episode of Modern Web, hosts Tracy Lee, Ben Lesh, Adam Rackis, and guest JLarky share their latest takes on the JavaScript ecosystem, including React version transitions and TypeScript compatibility. They also explore the challenges of library updates, as well as web standards and the complexities within standards bodies. One recurring theme in the podcast is the heavy reliance on third-party libraries and the potential JavaScript bloat in React applications. They express concerns about the long-term sustainability of this approach and emphasize the need for industry support and collaboration. They discuss the challenges faced when updating libraries and the importance of carefully considering the impact on the overall application. This highlights the need for developers to strike a balance between leveraging the benefits of third-party libraries and maintaining control over their codebase. The conversation also explores the evolution of web standards and the complexities within standards bodies. The hosts discuss the resistance to adopting new technologies, such as React server components, and the challenges faced in driving industry-wide adoption. This highlights the importance of understanding the broader context in which web development operates and the need for developers to stay informed about emerging standards and technologies. By keeping an eye on the evolving landscape, developers can make informed decisions about the tools and frameworks they choose to work with. Throughout the podcast, they emphasize the importance of considering production-level considerations in software development. They discuss the challenges of dealing with hydration errors and the need for robust error handling mechanisms. This highlights the significance of thorough testing, performance optimization, and maintaining a strong focus on user experience. By prioritizing production-level considerations, developers can ensure their applications are reliable, performant, and user-friendly. Download this episode here....
Jun 27, 2024
2 mins
Communication Between Client Components in Next.js
Describing different strategies for communication between client components in Next.js....
Jun 21, 2024
5 mins
How Svelte and RSCs are Changing Web Development with Rich Harris
Tracy Lee, Adam Rackis, and Ben Lesh sit down with Rich Harris, the creator of Svelte, to talk about the state of Svelte and the exciting world of React Server Components (RSCs), web development's next evolution in co-locating resources for improved data management, and reusability. Uncover the benefits of component-based data fetching, like improved composition, and ease of development. Streamline server-side work, reduce the workload on the browser, and improve component rendering efficiency. The discussion explores the challenges faced by different front-end frameworks, with a great discussion on Svelte's advancements in reactivity and performance. Rich Harris highlights the unique features of Svelte that set it apart from other frameworks. He emphasizes the importance of optimizing performance and reducing the amount of code that needs to be shipped to the browser. Looking towards the future, Rich Harris predicts potential challenges with computed signals and showcases Svelte's innovative approach to reactive programming. Svelte's continuous commitment to improving developer experience make it an exciting framework to watch out for. They also share personal opinions on JavaScript classes, Svelte 5 development, and even their favorite cheese pairings. Download this episode here....
Jun 19, 2024
1 min
Why is My React Reducer Called Twice and What the Heck is a Pure Function?
A short dive into an interesting issue we faced in a recent project: our React reducer was being called twice, causing unexpected behavior....
Jun 14, 2024
3 mins
React Conf 2024 Review
A new era of React kicks off with groundbreaking announcements and innovations—catch up on all the highlights!...
Jun 5, 2024
6 mins
What’s New with Astro in 2024 with Matthew Phillips, CTO of Astro
In the latest episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Tracy Lee, Adam Rackis, Ben Lesh, and guest Matthew Phillips explore the concept of "Islands" in web development using Astro. They discuss how Astro allows developers to create self-contained interactive elements that enhance the user experience. One of the standout features of Astro is its framework-agnostic approach, which enables seamless integration of components from different frameworks like React or Vue. This flexibility allows developers to leverage the best features of each framework without being tied down to a single technology stack. The conversation covers the technical aspects of Astro, including client directives that enable selective rendering of components based on conditions like viewport visibility. This capability ensures that only the necessary components are loaded, improving performance and reducing unnecessary resource consumption. Matthew also touches on the challenges of collecting metrics and the importance of type safety in software development. These considerations highlight the attention to detail and focus on optimization that Astro brings to the table. The discussion shifts to the development of server actions in Astro, emphasizing the simplified implementation of remote procedure calls (RPC). This feature allows developers to easily create server-side functionality and interact with databases. The introduction of AstroDB, a database integration tool, further enhances the capabilities of Astro. With AstroDB, developers can seamlessly connect their applications to databases, making data management and retrieval a breeze. Throughout the podcast, Matthew shares his insights on different frameworks and the need for innovation in web development. They discuss potential paradigm shifts in the industry and highlight the importance of staying up to date with cutting-edge tools. Recommendations are made to explore tools like Astro, AstroDB, Solid, and SvelteKit for those interested in the evolving web development landscape. Download this episode here....
May 17, 2024
2 mins
Improving INP in React and Next.js
A follow-up article on the new Core Web Vital INP outlining some techniques to improve your INP score in Next.js and React....
Apr 19, 2024
5 mins
How to test React custom hooks and components with Vitest
In this guide, we'll navigate through the process of testing React hooks and components using Vitest—a powerful JavaScript unit testing framework. Discover how Vitest simplifies testing setups...
Mar 15, 2024
5 mins
CSS Hooks: A new way to style your React apps
With the rise of CSS in JS libraries like Material UI and Chakra, developers have started creating dynamic and reusable styles using JavaScript; however, the performance implications of these libraries have led to the exploration of alternative solutions....
Feb 28, 2024
5 mins
AI (Probably) Won’t Ruin Your Engineering Career with Ben Lesh, Adam Rackis, & Tracy Lee
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, hosts Tracy Lee, Ben Lesh, and Adam Rackis kick things off by discussing the progress of observables landing in the browser and the potential impact it could have on the use of RXJS. As developers, we're always on the lookout for new tools and technologies that can make our lives easier, and observables in the browser certainly have the potential to do just that. They talk about whether or not you should listen to your “customers” or have a strong vision that you want to push forward, like Ryan Carniato and his approach with Solid and Signals. The three also talk about AI tools, such as GPT and Co-Pilot, and how they are shaping the future of coding and ideation. Finally, Ben, Adam, and Tracy briefly touch on the potential impact of automation on job roles and the outsourcing of tech jobs. While automation can streamline certain tasks, it's important to remember that human creativity and problem-solving skills are irreplaceable. Download this episode here!...
Feb 16, 2024
1 min
Next.js Route Groups
Learn how to organize and optimize your application routing with ease. Say goodbye to messy routes and hello to a more intuitive and maintainable structure with the new Next.js Group Routes!...
Feb 7, 2024
6 mins