this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2023
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Are we ready for javascript without a build step on the front end in 2023? (lemmy.fbmac.net)
submitted 1 year ago by fbmac@lemmy.fbmac.net to c/programming@programming.dev
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On the current typescript / anti-typescript internet drama I saw someone mention javascript without a build step.

Do you think we're already there?

Last time I attempted it:

  • there were too many libraries I couldn't import
  • JSX (using babel) had a warning saying you shouldn't do it in the browser for production
  • there was some advice against not using a bundler, because several requests for different .js files is slower and bigger than a bundled package
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[โ€“] cyclohexane@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Isn't Babel part of the build step? I might not be misunderstanding with what you mean by build step here.

In general, you probably can't avoid a bundler for the browser without significant compromises on performance and developer experience.

[โ€“] fbmac@lemmy.fbmac.net 1 points 1 year ago

I'm asking mostly out of curiosity, but I had a use case that I would like to completely avoid a build step. At work we have a very old web interface, that when I attempt to sell the idea of any major improvement the answer is "this is end of life, we are rewriting it". But the rewrite will take a long time, and it is easier to make gradual improvements without introducing new tooling. This one is from the 90s, there the JS is in a folder and is shipped as is.