The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source The CEO of htmx likes codin' dirty (Interview)
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Jun 18, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Carson Gross, the creator of HTMX and a professor at Montana State University, shares his passion for hypermedia and the unique approach of his zero-dependency JavaScript library. He challenges the norms of clean code, advocating for a more personal coding style. The conversation delves into the complexities of web development, the evolving landscape of software marketing, and the need for better CI tools. Finally, Carson emphasizes the importance of aligning new technologies with existing frameworks in the fast-paced tech world.
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Using Humor for Attention
- Carson Gross used humor and a playful social media approach to get attention for HTMX instead of serious trolling.
- He found that being funny and not taking Twitter too seriously helped it get traction with the algorithm.
HTMX Generalizes Hypermedia Controls
- HTMX extends HTML by generalizing hypermedia controls beyond anchors and forms.
- It uses any element and any event to trigger HTTP requests and update page parts dynamically.
Hypermedia Simplifies State Management
- Hypermedia reduces client-server state complexity by keeping state mainly on the server and DOM.
- This simplicity reduces bugs and code but limits very rich client-side interactivity.
