Every year, there's a new "must-learn" technology in web development. Some stick around, some fade away. After working on various projects—from ERP systems to client websites—I've learned to separate the hype from what actually matters.
What I'm Actually Using
Let me be honest about what I'm using in real projects versus what I'm just reading about.
TypeScript: Worth It
I resisted TypeScript for a long time. It felt like extra work. But after using it on multiple projects, I can't go back to plain JavaScript.
The type safety catches bugs before they reach production. IntelliSense makes development faster. Refactoring is less scary when TypeScript tells you what you broke.
Real example: I was refactoring an API endpoint and TypeScript caught that I was passing the wrong type to a function. That would have caused a runtime error in production. TypeScript saved me hours of debugging.
The learning curve isn't steep. If you know JavaScript, you can learn TypeScript in a weekend. Start with basic types, then gradually use more advanced features.
Next.js: Still My Go-To
I've built multiple projects with Next.js, and it keeps getting better. The App Router is solid, server components are powerful, and the developer experience is excellent.
What I like:
- Built-in optimizations (images, fonts, scripts)
- Great SEO out of the box
- Server components reduce client-side JavaScript
- Easy deployment on Vercel
What I don't like:
- The App Router is still evolving (breaking changes)
- Some features feel over-engineered
- Learning curve for server components
But overall, it's still my first choice for React projects. The productivity gains are real.
React Native: When It Makes Sense
I've built several React Native apps. It's great for certain use cases, but not everything.
Use React Native when:
- You need iOS and Android apps
- You have a web app and want code sharing
- Your app doesn't need heavy native features
Don't use React Native when:
- You need complex native features
- Performance is critical (games, video editing)
- You only need one platform
The reality? React Native works well for most business apps. For complex native features, you might need native modules or a different approach.
What's Overhyped
Micro-Frontends: Probably Not Worth It
I've read a lot about micro-frontends. In theory, they sound great—independent teams, independent deployments. In practice? They add complexity without much benefit for most projects.
Unless you're at a large company with multiple teams working on the same app, micro-frontends are probably overkill. You'll spend more time on architecture than building features.
WebAssembly: Not Ready Yet
WebAssembly is cool, but I haven't found a use case where it makes sense for my projects. The tooling is complex, the learning curve is steep, and JavaScript is fast enough for most things.
Maybe in a few years, but right now? I'm not using it.
Serverless: Great, But Not Magic
I've deployed serverless functions. They're great for certain use cases—API endpoints, scheduled tasks, webhooks. But they're not a replacement for everything.
Serverless works well for:
- Simple API endpoints
- Background jobs
- Webhooks and integrations
Not great for:
- Long-running processes
- Applications with state
- Complex business logic
Use serverless where it makes sense, but don't try to force everything into serverless.
What's Actually Useful
AI Tools: Game Changer
GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT have changed how I code. They're not replacing me, but they're making me faster.
How I use them:
- Generating boilerplate code
- Explaining complex code
- Writing tests
- Debugging errors
They're not perfect—you still need to review and understand the code. But they're incredibly useful.
Docker: Essential for Deployment
I use Docker for containerization. It makes deployment consistent and predictable. Whether I'm deploying to AWS, DigitalOcean, or a VPS, Docker ensures the app runs the same way everywhere.
My Docker workflow:
- Development: Docker Compose for local services
- Production: Docker containers on servers
- CI/CD: Build and test in containers
It's not glamorous, but it works.
Tailwind CSS: Still Love It
I've been using Tailwind CSS for years. It speeds up development and keeps styles consistent.
Why I like it:
- Fast to write
- Consistent design system
- Easy to customize
- Great documentation
Some developers hate it, but I find it makes styling faster and more maintainable.
What I'm Learning
Testing: Finally Taking It Seriously
I used to skip testing. Now I'm writing tests for critical paths. It's not fun, but it saves time in the long run.
My testing approach:
- Unit tests for utilities and services
- Integration tests for API endpoints
- E2E tests for critical user flows
I'm not testing everything—just what matters. A few good tests are better than no tests.
Performance: Always Important
Performance isn't optional. Slow apps lose users. I'm constantly optimizing:
- Image loading and optimization
- Code splitting and lazy loading
- Database query optimization
- Caching strategies
It's not glamorous work, but it matters.
What I'm Avoiding
New Frameworks: Waiting for Stability
I'm not jumping on every new framework. I wait for them to mature and prove themselves. There's value in stability.
Over-Engineering: Keep It Simple
I've learned to avoid over-engineering. Simple solutions are usually better. Add complexity when you need it, not before.
Chasing Trends: Focus on Fundamentals
New tools come and go, but fundamentals stay. I focus on:
- Clean code
- Good architecture
- Performance
- User experience
These matter more than using the latest framework.
The Bottom Line
Web development moves fast, but not everything new is worth learning. Focus on:
1. Fundamentals - HTML, CSS, JavaScript
2. Proven tools - React, Next.js, TypeScript
3. What you need - Don't learn everything
4. Real projects - Build things, don't just read
The best technology is the one that helps you ship better products. Everything else is just noise.
