
Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats
Full Stack Developers Wes Bos and Scott Tolinski dive deep into web development topics, explaining how they work and talking about their own experiences. They cover from JavaScript frameworks like React, to the latest advancements in CSS to simplifying web tooling.
Latest episodes

Nov 22, 2023 • 55min
696: How to Build a Website or App
The hosts dive into the art of building websites in 2023, discussing whether to start with design or code. They unravel the maze of choosing CMS options, along with frontend and backend frameworks. Testing practices are highlighted as crucial for smooth functionality. The benefits of using basic HTML alongside modern tools are emphasized, making web development more accessible. Plus, get ready for some laughs with their quirky recommendations, including chip clips and surprisingly affordable toilet seats!

Nov 20, 2023 • 24min
695: 5 New CSS Features You Should Know
Discover five cutting-edge CSS features that can revolutionize your web development skills! Learn about the new nth-child syntax for precise styling and dive into CSS Motion Path, which allows for dynamic animations along custom SVG paths. Explore how Scroll Snap enhances user experience by creating intuitive scrolling, and grasp the power of scroll-driven animations for captivating interactions. Plus, find out how the Margin Trim feature can simplify layout management. Essential insights for modern developers!

7 snips
Nov 17, 2023 • 56min
694: What's Up With Angular with Mark Techson
Mark Techson, a software engineer on the Angular team at Google, discusses the latest updates in Angular, including the significant features in Angular 17. He explains how Angular has implemented signals for better change detection and state management. Mark also dives into the integration of CSS and UI component libraries, highlighting Angular Material and its evolution. The conversation touches on the framework's unique capabilities, contrasts with other frameworks, and even blends in personal stories about game development and teaching coding to kids.

Nov 15, 2023 • 57min
693: Lessons Learned & Bugs Fixed from Launching Syntax.fm
The hosts share insights from launching their new website, emphasizing the mantra of launching now instead of perfecting later. They discuss the importance of error monitoring and navigating bugs, including a quirky mishap with black text on a black background. The transition from OpenAI to Anthropic for AI-generated show notes highlights the challenges of prompt placement. Local development advancements are celebrated for speeding up deployment, and amusing anecdotes about managing pet supplies add some humor to the tech talk!

7 snips
Nov 13, 2023 • 22min
692: You Need Stale While Revalidate
Dive into the fascinating world of web performance as caching takes center stage! Discover the 'stale while revalidate' technique to manage data freshness and enhance loading speeds. The hosts break down essential caching headers like 'max-age' and 'S-max-age,' illuminating their importance for user security and streamlined performance. Curious about the pros and cons of different caching strategies? They explore how to balance quick access to cached content with the need for timely updates, especially in high-traffic environments.

26 snips
Nov 10, 2023 • 1h 5min
691: Cloudflare Workers Are Next Level With Rita Kozlov And Brendan Irvine-Broque
Rita Kozlov, Senior Director of Product at Cloudflare, and Brendan Irvine-Broque, Product Manager for Cloudflare Workers, dive into the transformative power of Cloudflare Workers. They discuss how this serverless platform enhances application performance and scalability, revealing interesting use cases like audio processing with WebAssembly. The duo explores Cloudflare's innovative D1 database and potential integrations with emerging technologies like AI and WebGPU, while also addressing the importance of GDPR compliance and community-led standards for web development.

15 snips
Nov 8, 2023 • 1h 5min
690: How To Dark Mode and Beyond
The hosts dive into the intricacies of implementing dark mode for websites, sharing stories and strategies. They explore the challenges of transitioning designs from light to dark, focusing on color contrast and readability. Unique insights into CSS variables and opacity management are discussed, alongside the importance of consistent color systems. Personal coding experiences shape the conversation, highlighting both pitfalls and effective solutions. A surprising twist on DIY tunneling adds an unexpected layer of creativity to the mix!

Nov 6, 2023 • 28min
689: You Should Be Using JavaScript Maps & Sets
Discover the power of JavaScript Maps and Sets in web development. Learn why Maps outshine traditional objects with their unique key types and superior data management. Explore their use as efficient caches, specifically for OpenGraph images. Dive into Sets, which maintain unique values seamlessly and outperform arrays in performance-critical scenarios. Understand the weak versions of these structures and how they handle memory for optimized garbage collection. Get ready to enhance your coding skills with these essential data structures!

Nov 3, 2023 • 1h 10min
688: Ex-npm Employee Making a New Package Manager?! Vlt with Darcy Clarke
Join Darcy Clarke, a former npm employee and creator of the vlt package manager, as he shares his fascinating career journey in web development. He dives into the challenges of package management, detailing why we need a new player like vlt. They discuss the complexities of the npm ecosystem, explore on-premises registries, and tackle security vulnerabilities. Plus, hear about Darcy's delightful adventures with his goldendoodle and the nostalgic highs of favorite bands and coffee machines, making for an entertaining blend of tech and personal stories.

12 snips
Nov 1, 2023 • 1h 1min
687: Hosting NextJS × Spicy Sidedishes × Modern Forms × Abandoning TypeScript
Wes and Scott tackle the intricacies of hosting Next.js without getting locked into a single provider. They discuss the challenges of implementing forms in modern web development while critiquing existing solutions. Tune in for insights on the growing skepticism around TypeScript and why some frameworks are moving away from it. The hosts also explore CSS advancements like the subgrid feature, and humorously decode essential development concepts such as workers and tasks. Plus, they share some exciting personal picks!