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Are Frontend Frameworks Causing Developers to Lose Basic Web Skills?

Writer's picture: Matt BurrellMatt Burrell

Updated: Feb 16, 2023

Nowadays, many web developers rely heavily on modern frameworks like React, Svelte, and Vue.js.


While these tools can make building complex and interactive web apps easier, they're causing some developers to lose touch with the fundamental skills necessary for building and maintaining websites.


One of the main reasons for this is that modern web development frameworks abstract away much of the underlying web technology, making it easier for developers to build and deploy web applications without worrying about the low-level details.


This can be a good thing, as it allows developers to focus on building business logic and user interfaces rather than on mundane tasks such as manually manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM) or managing the state of a web application.


However, this abstraction can also be a double-edged sword. By relying too heavily on frameworks, developers may lose touch with the underlying web technologies, namely HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are the building blocks of the web. This can lead to a lack of understanding of how web applications work at a fundamental level, which can be a significant hindrance when it comes to debugging issues or working with legacy code.


Many developers are now being trained in a "framework-first" approach, learning to use a particular framework before they have a solid understanding of core web technology. This can lead to a lack of flexibility and adaptability, as developers may struggle to work with other frameworks or technologies outside their comfort zone.


So, what can be done to address this issue?


One solution is to prioritize basic web skills in your team's training and development programs. This can include ensuring that all developers have a solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as web design and development principles.


Additionally, encouraging your team to work on personal or side projects that allow them to experiment with different technologies and frameworks can also help to keep their skills sharp and up-to-date.


While modern web development frameworks are powerful tools that can greatly streamline the development process, they shouldn't be relied upon to the exclusion of basic web skills.


By prioritizing these skills and encouraging a broad range of experience and knowledge, you can ensure that your team is well-equipped to tackle any web development challenge that comes their way.

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