Kent C. Dodds, a web development expert, explains why he prefers Remix over Next.js, highlighting its productivity and effectiveness. The podcast covers topics such as testing libraries, transferable knowledge, web platform APIs, advantages of Remix, challenges of abstractions, and the dichotomy of stewardship in open source frameworks. They also discuss React, Next.js, Vercel, and collaboration within the React team.
Kent C. Dodds emphasizes the importance of focusing on the web and transferable knowledge rather than relying solely on a single framework like Next.js.
Dodds raises concerns about the stability and collaboration in the Next.js ecosystem, particularly regarding the integration of Canary releases and the reliance on untested React features.
Deep dives
Next JS and Remix: Comparing Full Stack Web Application Frameworks
The podcast episode delves into a comparison between Next JS and Remix, two popular frameworks for building full stack web applications in the JavaScript ecosystem. While Next JS is currently the most popular choice for full stack applications, the speaker, Kent C. Dodds, explains why he chose to focus on Remix for his online learning platform, Epic Web Dev. Dodds highlights the importance of focusing on the web and transferable knowledge rather than solely relying on a single framework. He also discusses concerns with Next JS, such as limitations in deployment options outside of Vercel and potential high costs associated with scaling. Additionally, Dodds raises questions about the stability and collaboration in the Next JS ecosystem, particularly concerning the integration of Canary releases and the reliance on React features that have not been extensively tested in production. The episode presents different perspectives on framework usage and encourages developers to consider the advantages and disadvantages of both Next JS and Remix.
The Value of Leveraging Web Primitives in Remix
Dodds emphasizes the benefits of using Remix as a framework that embraces web platform APIs and exposes underlying primitives to developers. He draws parallels to his experiences with testing libraries and previous transitions from frameworks like AngularJS to React, highlighting the advantages of gaining a deeper understanding of the web platform. By utilizing web primitives, developers can build applications that are more transferable, reusable, and powerful. Remix's approach of focusing on the web platform and providing an opportunity to interact directly with DOM nodes can lead to increased productivity and flexibility in web development.
Concerns about Next JS and Experimenting on Users
The podcast discusses concerns about Next JS and its potential drawbacks. Dodds raises the issue of experimental features being presented as stable, particularly with Next JS's integration of Canary releases in collaboration with React. He questions the stability and reliability of these features, as they have not been thoroughly tested in production environments. Dodds also expresses concerns about the messaging and collaboration within the Next JS ecosystem, highlighting the importance of clear communication and collaborative development processes. The podcast emphasizes the need for frameworks to prioritize stability, user testing, and effective collaboration in order to better serve developers and users.
Evaluating Next JS and Remix in the React Ecosystem
The episode explores the evolving relationship between Next JS, Remix, and the React ecosystem. While Next JS gains popularity as a widely used framework, Remix takes a different approach by focusing on reducing complexity, relying on web primitives, and prioritizing collaboration and stability. The speaker considers the impact of company involvement and financial incentives on framework development and adoption. The podcast raises questions about the React and Next JS teams' collaboration, the incentives driving framework development, and the balance between providing innovative features and maintaining stability within the ecosystem. The episode urges developers to critically evaluate the frameworks they choose and consider the trade-offs between industry popularity, independence, collaboration, and stability.
Kent C. Dodds returns to explain why he won’t use Next.js, offering insight into what he sees as the issues with using Next, why he uses Remix, and more.
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Special Guest: Kent C. Dodds.
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