Web Dev Rundown: JavaScript Alternatives, HTML Simplicity, and Framework Fatigue

Three conversations this week reveal where web development is heading: a serious look at replacing JavaScript entirely, developers rediscovering HTML's built-in capabilities, and honest reflection on framework complexity. These discussions matter because they challenge assumptions about how we build for the web.

Replacing JavaScript With Just HTML

A provocative article on HTMHell asks whether we can replace JavaScript with HTML alone. The Hacker News discussion reveals both enthusiasm and skepticism about this approach.

The core argument: HTML has gained powerful capabilities that once required JavaScript:

• Details/Summary elements for collapsible content without JS
• Dialog elements for modal interactions
• Form validation built into input types
• Popover API for tooltips and menus
• CSS :has() selector for parent-based styling

What This Actually Means

For content-heavy websites—blogs, documentation, marketing sites—HTML-first development makes sense. You get:

Faster initial loads: No JavaScript bundle to download and parse
Better accessibility: Native HTML elements include ARIA attributes automatically
Simpler maintenance: Fewer dependencies, less code to audit
Progressive enhancement: Core functionality works without JavaScript

But the discussion reveals where this breaks down. Complex interactions—drag and drop, real-time collaboration, rich text editing—still need JavaScript. One commenter noted: "HTML is great until you need to talk to an API."

Implications for CMS Development

For platforms like Cosmic, this HTML-first thinking influences architecture decisions:

Server-side rendering matters: Generate complete HTML that works without client-side JavaScript
Progressive enhancement by default: Core content accessible immediately, enhancements load later
API-first design: Separate content delivery from presentation layer
Static generation where possible: Pre-render pages at build time

The best approach combines HTML's simplicity with JavaScript where it adds real value. Cosmic's API-first architecture enables both patterns—server-render for initial page load, client-side JavaScript for dynamic features.

How Communication Became Entertainment

An essay arguing we've lost communication to entertainment sparked extensive discussion about how digital platforms evolved. The Hacker News conversation reflects developers' frustration with modern web experiences.

The core observation: platforms designed for communication (email, forums, blogs) evolved into entertainment delivery systems optimized for engagement metrics rather than actual conversation.

Why Developers Care

This matters for web development because it shapes what we build:

Algorithmic feeds replaced chronological timelines—complexity that requires significant infrastructure
Infinite scroll became standard—challenging for performance and state management
Real-time updates create expectations—WebSocket connections, notification systems
Engagement metrics drive design—analytics, A/B testing, personalization

Developers building content platforms face pressure to implement these patterns even when they don't serve users well.

The Content Management Perspective

For CMS platforms, this raises important questions:

Chronological by default: Content should be findable without recommendation algorithms
Pagination over infinite scroll: Better for performance, accessibility, and mental health
Clear navigation: Users should know where they are and how to get back
Author-controlled presentation: Content creators decide layout, not engagement algorithms

Cosmic's approach prioritizes content delivery over engagement manipulation. Our API returns content in predictable ways—sorted by date, filtered by tags, organized by relationships—without hidden algorithmic ranking.

Functional Programming and Reliability

A detailed argument for functional programming in critical systems generated thoughtful discussion about code reliability. The conversation reveals how developers think about building robust systems.

The article's thesis: functional programming's constraints—immutability, pure functions, algebraic data types—prevent entire classes of bugs that plague imperative code.

The Practical Reality

While functional programming offers benefits, the discussion reveals nuanced perspectives:

Learning curve matters: Teams need time to become productive in functional languages
Ecosystem support varies: JavaScript/TypeScript have mature tooling; pure functional languages less so
Hybrid approaches work: Functional concepts in mainstream languages provide many benefits
Context determines choice: Critical infrastructure has different requirements than rapid prototyping

Application to Web Development

For web developers, functional programming concepts improve code quality without requiring pure functional languages:

Immutable data structures: React's state management, Redux patterns
Pure functions: Predictable components that always render the same output for given props
Type safety: TypeScript, runtime validation libraries
Declarative style: Describing what you want rather than how to achieve it

Cosmic's SDK uses functional patterns where they provide value:

Chaining methods, immutable queries, predictable results—functional concepts that make the API easier to use correctly.

The Framework Fatigue Connection

These three discussions connect to a larger theme: developers are questioning complexity.

HTML-first development challenges the assumption that every site needs heavy JavaScript frameworks
Communication-focused platforms push back against algorithmic engagement optimization
Functional programming advocates question imperative complexity that creates bugs

The common thread: simpler approaches often work better.

What This Means for Building Applications

As you evaluate tools and approaches:

Question default assumptions: Does every feature need a framework? Will algorithmic sorting improve user experience? Does this complexity serve users or just developers?

Start simple: Begin with HTML and CSS, add JavaScript where it provides clear value. Start with straightforward data structures before reaching for complex abstractions.

Measure real impact: Does this feature improve user experience measurably? Does this architecture actually make the codebase more maintainable?

Choose appropriate tools: Content-heavy sites benefit from different approaches than real-time collaborative applications.

Practical Takeaways

These discussions offer concrete guidance:

For Content Sites

HTML-first approach: Use native elements, progressive enhancement, server-side rendering where possible

Straightforward navigation: Chronological ordering, clear pagination, predictable URLs

Performance by default: Optimize initial page load, defer non-critical JavaScript

For Interactive Applications

JavaScript where it helps: Real-time features, complex interactions, dynamic updates

Functional patterns: Immutable state, pure functions, predictable components

Progressive complexity: Start simple, add complexity only when necessary

For Platform Selection

API-first architecture: Separate content from presentation for maximum flexibility

Performance focus: Fast response times, global CDN delivery, optimized assets

Developer experience: Clear documentation, predictable behavior, minimal surprise

Building Better Web Experiences

The conversations happening across the developer community point toward similar conclusions:

Simplicity beats complexity when complexity doesn't solve real problems
Native platform capabilities have improved dramatically—use them
User needs should drive technical decisions, not trends
Different contexts require different approaches—no universal solution

Cosmic's platform reflects this philosophy:

• Fast API responses (sub-100ms globally) for great user experience
• Flexible architecture supporting both static generation and dynamic rendering
• Clean SDK that makes simple things simple and complex things possible
• No vendor lock-in with standard REST APIs and SDKs

Explore our documentation to see how straightforward content management can be when the platform prioritizes simplicity and performance.

Final Thoughts

The web development landscape continues evolving, but these discussions suggest the pendulum is swinging back toward simplicity:

• HTML capabilities make many JavaScript frameworks unnecessary for content sites
• Communication tools work better when they prioritize actual communication
• Functional programming concepts improve code quality in any language
• Simpler architectures are often more reliable and maintainable

Choose tools and patterns that solve real problems. Question complexity that doesn't serve users. Build for the web as it exists today, not as it existed five years ago.

Ready to build faster, simpler web applications? Start with Cosmic and experience content management that gets out of your way.