The Power of HTMX

We're all suffering from bloated Javascript fatigue and unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about HTMX. In case you're not familiar with it, HTMX is a JavaScript library for adding reactivity to your project without needing to NPM Install 150 dependencies. In this post, we'll explore some of the key features of HTMX with code examples from htmx.org.

What is HTMX?

HTMX, short for "HTML Extension for AJAX and WebSockets," is a lightweight JavaScript library that empowers developers to access a wide range of modern browser features directly from HTML, without the need to write complex JavaScript code. By leveraging attributes, HTMX allows you to seamlessly integrate AJAX, CSS Transitions, WebSockets, and Server Sent Events into your web applications, resulting in a simpler development experience.

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What are the key benefits of using HTMX?

Simplicity: One of the standout features of HTMX is its simplicity. With HTMX, you can achieve powerful functionality using plain HTML attributes, eliminating the need for extensive JavaScript knowledge. This makes it accessible to developers of all skill levels and reduces the learning curve associated with complex frameworks.

Super Lightweight: HTMX is incredibly lightweight, weighing in at just ~14KB when minified and gzipped. This minimal footprint ensures fast loading times and optimal performance, even on low-powered devices. Moreover, HTMX is completely dependency-free, further reducing the overhead in your web applications.

Less Code: One of the most compelling advantages of HTMX is its ability to significantly reduce the size of your code base. In fact, studies have shown that HTMX can cut code base sizes by up to 67% when compared to popular JavaScript frameworks like React. This not only simplifies maintenance but also enhances the overall efficiency of your development process.

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Common Use Cases

In my opinion, we will soon see some pretty wild examples of developers stretching the limits of what can be done with HTMX. The creator of HTMX, Carson Gross, recently expressed the same opinion on the Syntax.fm podcast. Here are a few example use cases for how you can use HTMX:

‍Partial Page Updates: With HTMX, you can easily implement partial page updates, allowing you to refresh specific sections of your web page without requiring a full page reload. This enhances the user experience by providing a smooth and responsive interface.

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‍Real-Time UI Updates: By leveraging WebSockets and Server Sent Events, HTMX enables you to create dynamic user interfaces that update in real-time as data changes on the server side. This is particularly useful for applications that require instant updates, such as live dashboards or collaborative tools.

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‍Lazy Loading: HTMX makes it effortless to implement lazy loading of resources, allowing you to load content on-demand as users interact with your web page. This optimization technique improves performance and reduces initial page load times.

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‍Modal Dialogs: With HTMX, you can create interactive and dynamic modal dialog boxes without the need for complex JavaScript code. This simplifies the implementation of common UI patterns and enhances the overall user experience.

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Why is Everyone Talking About HTMX?

Probably because it's awesome... and their Twitter account is hilarious!

On top of that - HTMX blew up after The Primeagen, endorsed HTMX. He pretty much mentions it every stream, highlighting its ability to deliver a simpler developer experience while reducing the amount of JavaScript code shipped to the browser.

All of which are true.

I personally agree that HTMX is a game-changer for any developer that still thinks you need a build step to get reactivity. It's simple to use and it's super lightweight. So, if you're chasing performance and you want to keep it simple, use HTMX. It's not a silver bullet (nothing is) and it won't work for every application, but it'll work for most. So, my advice is to start with the docs, check out the examples on htmx.org and then you can decide for yourself if HTMX is something you'll enjoy using in the future.