When both Pieter Levels and Alex Russell convincingly argue against using complex JavaScript frameworks, maybe frontend devs should listen.

The rebelling against JavaScript frameworks continues. In the latest Lex Fridman interview, AI app developer Pieter Levels explained that he builds all his apps with vanilla HTML, PHP, a bit of JavaScript via jQuery, and SQLite. No fancy JavaScript frameworks, no modern programming languages, no Wasm.

“I’m seeing a revival now,” said Levels, regarding PHP. “People are getting sick of frameworks. All the JavaScript frameworks are so… what do you call it, like [un]wieldy. It takes so much work to just maintain this code, and then it updates to a new version, you need to change everything. PHP just stays the same and works.”

  • CaptDust
    181·
    3 months ago

    “if you have a project that works with straightforward code, don’t over engineer it by chasing what’s hot. Keep it simple and protect your momentum on the project at all costs.”

    This is the best advice from the article. Use the right tool for the job. You’ll never catch me championing PHP or jquery (seriously, what use does jquery have in 2024??) , but vanilla js and html certainly have their place and purpose.