The Problem(s) With The Current React & Vercel Drama

About this video

• Video Title: The Problem(s) With The Current React & Vercel Drama
• Channel: Maximilian Schwarzmüller
• Speakers: Maximilian Schwarzmüller
• Duration: 00:11:27

Overview

This video discusses the recent announcement of Vercel's Workflow Development Kit and the ensuing "drama" surrounding its new directives, useWorkflow and useStep. The speaker clarifies that these directives are not specific to React but are part of Vercel's tooling, addressing the misconception that React itself is becoming overly complex with new, non-standard JavaScript syntax. The video also delves into the historical evolution of React, its increasing complexity, and the reasons behind the community's reactions.

Key takeaways

• Vercel's Workflow Development Kit: Vercel introduced a new kit featuring useWorkflow and useStep directives within JavaScript functions. These are part of Vercel's tooling and not a new React feature.
• Misconception about React's Complexity: The "drama" stemmed from a misunderstanding, with many believing these new directives were added to React, contributing to concerns about React becoming bloated and complex with proprietary syntax.
• Evolution of React: React has evolved from a simple library to a more complex one with features like Hooks and Server Components, which, while powerful, have added to its learning curve and complexity.
• Next.js Influence: The speaker notes that Next.js, also developed by Vercel, has often been perceived as the driving force behind React's new features, blurring the lines between the library and the framework.
• React's Enduring Popularity: Despite increasing complexity and the availability of alternatives, React is unlikely to disappear due to its massive ecosystem and widespread adoption, further solidified by AI's familiarity with React code.