RailsConf 2023 - Hotwiring My React Brain by Aji Slater

Hi. Have you been writing Rails API-mode json backends for React front ends for the last few years? Me too.
Have you been daydreaming about the days when you could just write a view template and render some html server-side? Me too.
Have you been wondering if it's possible to have rich, snappy UIs with only Rails, and very little js? Me too.
Are you now working on a fully Hotwire and Turbo app, having to re-learn everything you've grown comfortable with in front-end development? Me.. huh? no?
Well come along and I'll show you how I re-implemented my conception of the client side with Rails' Hotwire view layer.

[@pedroa5720]

Amazing talk!!

[@KurtMueller]

Talk starts at 12:00

[@GregRippetoe]

Ruby programmers are huge blabbermouths. Instead of getting to the point, they like to waste people's time with nonsense first.

[@joy-of-diy]

Been wondering, why so many still tend to use the overcomplicated react (for most implementations) over this beauty know as hotwire + stimulus. Maybe its just lack of awareness or sunk cost in terms of js implemented code base and devs. What y'all think?

[@revscat]

Sunk cost, mainly. There are few if any benefits to using client-side JS frameworks such as React or Angular. I feel that the pendulum is swinging away from those, however, and towards things like Hotwire or HTMX.

[@GregRippetoe]

React is simply better and more maintainable. Sure, it requires more work sometimes but maintainability is much more important than a little complexity

[@joy-of-diy]

@@GregRippetoe No offense intended. But are you trying to say React code which is full of 3rd party dependencies is more maintainable than rails view files which are mostly just html with some Ruby sprinkled in it

[@GregRippetoe]

@@joy-of-diy Rails projects have a ton of dependencies too. That's how open source works. No offense but you sound like an inexperienced developer. You need to gain more experience before talking about tech stacks.

[@joy-of-diy]

I have sufficient experience to differ from you on this. Pick any 2-4 year old rails app and another React app with any backend, try booting and see which one runs without any dependency errors. Pretty sure the rails app will work as is, React app on the other end is highly unlikely. React has its pros but maintainable aint one of them when it comes to comparison with a rails app ✌️✌️

[@therealunclexavier]

Where is the github link