Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats
863: 2024: A Year in Review
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- The Syntax podcast will transition to a two-episode-per-week format in 2025, allowing for more focused discussions.
- 2024 was marked by significant advancements in web development technologies, including the stable release of React 19 and the rise of AI tools like Cursor.
- Wes and Scott's predictions for 2024 show mixed results, with some advancements like TypeScript support being significant, while others, like the temporal API rollout, fell short.
- Attending community events and conferences in 2024 has strengthened connections within the web development community and provided valuable experiences for both hosts.
Summary
Podcast Format Changes for 2025
Wes and Scott discuss upcoming changes to the Syntax podcast format, reducing the schedule from three episodes to two per week. This change will allow more flexibility in the topics covered, where each episode will be tailored to the content rather than sticking to a rigid format. This shift aims to enhance the quality of discussions and the pacing of the episodes.
Web Development Highlights of 2024
The hosts recap significant developments in web development over the year, highlighting the release of React 19, the stability of Server Components, and exciting progress in AI tools, particularly the popularity of Cursor, an AI-driven code editor. Other key topics include the rise of CSS features that reduce reliance on JavaScript, the launch of Vite 6, and the ongoing evolution of various JavaScript frameworks like Remix and Solid.
2024 Predictions Review
Wes and Scott review their 2024 predictions to see what they got right and what missed the mark. They discuss advancements in TypeScript support, the temporal API, AI tooling, and the emergence of server frameworks. They highlight CSS improvements that allow more functionality without JavaScript and share their insights on the buzzing new tools and features introduced in the developer space.
Conferences and Community Events
The hosts reflect on various conferences they attended in 2024, including React Miami and JSNation Amsterdam, where they engaged with attendees, hosted live shows, and connected with other web development enthusiasts. They mention their experiences emceeing events and the enthusiasm of the web dev community observed throughout the year.
Sponsors
- Syntax Podcast · Check out the Syntax podcast for everything web development, including changes to their weekly format, interesting interviews, and insightful discussions on the latest technologies.
- TCGPocket App · Scott's sick pick is the TCGPocket app, which helps users learn the Pokémon Trading Card Game and enables them to play with friends.
Show notes
Scott and Wes look back at 2024 and share highlights from a big year for Syntax and the web dev world. They review their 2024 predictions to see what they got right (and wrong), and break down the major moments in web development from CSS improvements to AI editors and beyond.
Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
01:30 Changes to the Syntax podcast.
05:56 What happened this year? 06:07 React.
06:36 Solid Start.
07:04 Tanstack Start.
07:43 Remix
09:42 AI Editors.
11:53 Vite 6.
14:02 Bluesky.
19:52 CSS.
22:17 What did we do? 22:21 React Miami. React Miami Episode.
22:26 JSNation Amsterdam.
23:55 JSNation US + React Summit.
24:57 Terminal Feud.
26:28 Laravel + Terminal basketball game.
27:02 Syntax San Francisco meetup.
27:23 GitHub Universe.
28:07 FITC.
28:38 153 Syntax Episodes + Video.
29:32 Our 2024 Predictions Reviewed. 29:46 Types in JS will have real movement.
31:29 Temporal API will ship in 1 browser.
32:50 Perf tooling gets easy for everyone to understand.
33:29 CSS continues to get better where you need less JS.
34:25 Svelte v5 is very fast.
34:38 The year of the server in frameworks.
35:28 Astro is going to have a good year.
36:13 React server components.
37:03 Remix moves away from page-based loaders, to component loaders.
37:18 Hono will become more ubiquitous.
38:28 We will see a route matching Proposal move ahead.
39:23 Bun releases full node compat.
40:42 We will see a new Linter + formatter entirely replace.
42:16 New TypeScript typechecker. Ezno.
43:40 Lightning CSS pops - or does it?
45:10 You’ll hear more about Rspack and Turbopack.
45:51 Vite isn’t going to release anything big in 2024.
46:24 Relative color will land in all major browsers.
48:14 CSS contrast-color will land in chrome.
48:48 Scroll animation landing in 2 browsers.
50:03 The year of CSS discovery.
51:09 Safari will Ship 3 missing PWA Support.
52:11 Firefox usage will continue to slip.
56:53 Paid Arc features.
57:14 More XR web experiences as Apple releases in Vision Pro.
59:55 AI Tooling.
01:00:57 Small Models that run in the browser.
01:01:38 Apps get Sherlocked by OpenAI.
01:02:04 On prem corporate AI.
01:04:49 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs.
Sick Picks Scott: TCGPocket App.
Wes: Huge Bag of Croc Charms
Shameless Plugs Scott: Syntax on YouTube.
Hit us up on Socials! Syntax: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads
Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads
Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads
Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads
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