May 21st, 2025 × #ai#webdev#javascript

React vs Svelte × Windsurf Worth $3B × Typescript as Const × Layout Shift Tricks × More

In this episode, Wes and CJ discuss the Windsurf acquisition by OpenAI, the future of UI design, securing forms, using JSON for data, comparing React and Svelte, workflows for testing responsive design, and avoiding layout shifts with progressive enhancement.

Show Notes Transcript

In this potluck episode of Syntax, Wes and CJ answer your questions about OpenAI’s $3B Windsurf acquisition, the evolving role of UI in an AI-driven world, why good design still matters, React vs. Svelte, and more!

Show Notes

00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
- Devs Night Out
02:35 OpenAI acquires Windsurf for $3B
- Windsurf
- Ep 870: Windsurf forked VS Code to compete with Cursor. Talking the future of AI + Coding
05:20 What is the future of UI now that AI is such a heavy hitter?
08:45 Handling spam submissions on websites
- Cloudflare Turnstile
14:18 Duplicating HTML for desktop and mobile websites?
17:03 Is it okay to use a JSON file for simple website data?
19:04 How to handle anonymous and duplicate users
- Better-Auth
21:55 Working with TypeScript Object.keys() and "any" vs "@ts-ignore"
25:51 Brought to you by Sentry.io
26:38 What is the difference between React and Svelte?
30:24 How should you name your readme file?
31:55 How do you find time to refactor code?
35:20 Best practices for testing responsiveness
- Polypane
39:19 Avoiding layout shift with progressive enhancement
46:56 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs