Hey Team!
Welcome to another edition of WebDev Weekly Standup! Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, this newsletter is your go-to resource for staying on top of the latest in web development. From must-listen podcast episodes to exciting new tools and industry insights, we've got you covered. Let's dive into this week's highlights and keep pushing the boundaries of what we can create together!
The Pod Roundup
Podcasts are one of my favorite ways to stay updated on the latest in the web dev world. Whether I’m doing chores or on my way into the office (back when commuting was a thing 😬), they’re a great way to make the most of that time. After a good episode, I often feel like I've gotten a little smarter or learned something valuable. This week, I’m sharing some of my favorite episodes and what I took away from them. I highly recommend giving them a listen!
Syntax - Effortless Light and Dark Mode × Theme Styling
If you're working on adding light and dark mode to your web app, this guide is definitely worth checking out. It breaks down practical strategies for making the transition between themes seamless, without sacrificing accessibility or performance. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your setup, the tips here will help ensure your users have a great experience in both modes.
The Stack Overflow Podcast - Ryan Dahl Explains Why Deno Had to Evolve with Version 2.0
Ryan Dahl, the guy behind Deno, dives into the challenges of evolving Deno to version 2.0 and the new features they’ve built to meet the needs of today’s JavaScript developers. It's a great listen if you want to understand the thought process behind the updates and what’s coming next for Deno.
Modern Web - Do What Matters with Who Matters While It Matters
Mark Techson gets into leadership in tech, really honing in on how to prioritize what truly matters, both in your career and personal life. If you’re interested in balancing the two and leading with intention, this is definitely worth your time.
The Changelog - Practices of Reliable Software Design
If you're looking to build robust and maintainable systems, this guide on best practices in software design is a must-read. It’s packed with insights that can really help you create cleaner, more efficient code that stands the test of time.
ShopTalk Show - The Great Divide, Global Design + Web Components, and Job Titles
Check out this discussion on the evolving roles in web development—it dives into the "Great Divide" between designers and developers and explores the impact of global design systems. It’s a solid take on how the landscape is shifting and what it means for both sides of the field.
These episodes deliver a solid blend of technical insights, industry trends, and practical advice that any web developer will find valuable.
Interesting finds: DeepAtlas
The founders of Hack Reactor are back at it! They've spotted a new opportunity to offer an immersive learning experience for developers interested in Machine Learning development (MLDev). Full disclosure: I attended Hack Reactor back in 2014 and had an amazing experience, so I might be a bit biased—but credit where credit's due! Tony Phillips, one of the founders, shared a great summary in his recent LinkedIn post that captures the essence of what they’re building.
If you’re curious about DeepAtlas and want to learn more, check out their site: DeepAtlas Program.
Industry Highlight
CSS Snapshot: What's New in the World of Styles
CSS is evolving with exciting developments aimed at enhancing the styling capabilities and performance of modern web applications. Recently, a few key updates have taken center stage:
Nesting and Container Queries: Progress in nesting allows for cleaner, more maintainable styles by nesting rules within one another. Container queries are also gaining traction, providing more flexibility in designing responsive layouts based on container size rather than just the viewport.
CSS Grid and Subgrid: Grid layouts are getting a boost with the introduction of subgrid, enabling more precise control over complex design systems.
New Color Functions: Updates like
color-mix()
andcolor-contrast()
are making it easier to work with dynamic and accessible color schemes.Performance and Browser Support: Ongoing discussions around the performance implications of CSS properties, especially animations and complex layouts, are guiding best practices in optimization. Browser support for these new features continues to expand, simplifying adoption.
For a deeper dive into these updates, check out this comprehensive resource on the latest CSS developments. It covers everything you need to stay ahead of the curve.
Tool of the Week: daily.dev
This week’s standout tool is one that every developer should have on their radar. Daily.dev offers a personalized feed tailored to help developers stay updated without getting bogged down by irrelevant content, fostering a more focused community experience. The platform’s rapid growth was kickstarted by an early submission to Product Hunt, which helped pivot it towards community-driven engagement and high-quality content.
If you’re already using Daily.dev, keep an eye out for my WebDev account—coming soon! I’ll be sharing more updates, so stay tuned!
"The best way to learn something new is to break it and then figure out how to fix it."
— Wes Bos, WesBos.com