Explore Airbnb's React JS Journey And Stack Overflow Survey Results

Hello!

As July comes to an end, let’s take a look at the latest trends shaping our industry. Between the insights gleaned from Stack Overflow and Devographics and the new updates of ChatGPT and Gemini, it has been an eventful week.

I’ve got practical advice to share as well! Discover how Airbnb seamlessly transitioned from React 16 to 18 and learn from their experiences. Choose the best rendering strategies for your web app and find out the importance of an MVP in finding product-market fit.

Without further ado, have a seat, grab some coffee, and dive into the newest issue of Frictionless. 

In The Queue

• Stack Overflow developer survey results

• Airbnb’s React Transformation

• State of React 2023

• Is MVP An Answer To Finding Product-Market Fit?

Reduce Friction

How Airbnb Smoothly Upgrades React

For many businesses upgrades have become major headaches, threatening to disrupt their everyday operations. However, switching to a new software doesn’t always have to be a pain, if you know how to approach it - just look at Airbnb. The seamless transfer from React 16 to 18 was achieved thanks to their React Update System, and a unique strategy, which they’ve decided to share with us. 

Can AI Truly Transform The Developer Experience?

It’s difficult to imagine a life without the convenience offered by AI solutions, but are they really necessary for your team to go through tasks smoothly? There’s no denying Artificial Intelligence can be a game changer when it comes to dev support. Still, sometimes a conversation or two with developers can be a better productivity boost than implementing another AI tool. 

How To Choose The Best Rendering Strategy For Your App

Each strategy for rendering web apps has pros and cons, but which one is the right fit for your projects? Compare various rendering options, such as static site generation, server-side rendering, and client-side rendering, and don’t forget - sometimes a combined approach might be just what your app needs.

Perfectionism: One Of The Biggest Obstacles

The competition or sudden changes in the market aren’t the biggest threats to your project - it’s your perfectionism. Constant chase after the ‘perfect’ can result in missed deadlines, losses of productivity, and increasing the workload of your team. Perhaps every once in a while we could find satisfaction in a job well done, without trying to look for unnecessary improvements.

How To Make Hard Choices As An Engineering Leader

Engineering leaders often end up facing tough decisions that can lead to decision paralysis. Choosing between different tech stacks, and strategies or dealing with internal problems can be overwhelming. However, there are ways to navigate these challenges effectively and with confidence.

Deepen Your Expertise

State Of React 2023

Devographics survey, which ran from October 27 to November 15, 2023, identified the trends in React development. CSS reigns supreme as the most popular framework choice for many devs, while redux issues were pointed as one of the most common pain points.

Mobile App MVP To Validate a New Business Idea - Veygo Car Insurance

Read about the process of creating a scalable and efficient web application for Veygo, part of the UK’s leading insurance company Admiral. Discover the technical challenges and the implemented solutions that helped developers deliver a successful product.

Developing React Native TV Apps with Giovanni Laquidara

In this episode of Rocket Ship a developer advocate at Amazon, explains how React Native can be used to develop TV apps. Tune in to learn about the unique challenges TV app developers face, and why testing is so important to them. 

Developers Want More, More, More: The 2024 Results From Stack Overflow’s Annual Developer Survey

The results of Stack Overflow’s 2024 survey reveal a growing distrust of the developer community towards AI’s abilities - while 76% of devs use or plan to use AI tools, only 43% believe in their accuracy. Most programmers decide to use technical documentation and other online resources as a way to learn code, instead of pursuing formal education.

Increase Scalability

Find A Product-Market Fit For Your Mobile App With The MVP

In the mobile app market finding your product-market fit is no longer a choice, but a necessity if you want to stay afloat. Explore how developing an MVP can give you an edge over the competition and help in understanding your audience’s needs. 

SearchGPT Prototype

OpenAI revealed its newest prototype, SearchGPT. This feature is meant to improve AI search with real-time web info, accurate answers, and their sources. Initially launched only to a select group for feedback, it aims to integrate into ChatGPT and support publishers by providing direct citations.

Building A Generative AI Platform

The rule of thumb for building generative AI platforms is to focus on components like context enhancement, guardrails, latency optimization, and complex logic integration. That means many such platforms have similar mechanisms, which are easily observable and make their development less daunting.

Gemini’s Big Upgrade: Faster Responses With 1.5 Flash, Expanded Access, And More

Gemini’s newest update is here, bringing you more regional accessibility, improved file upload capabilities, and faster response times, among many others. The younger generation will now be able to access Gemini, as Google now extends it to users meeting the minimum age requirements.

Just Cool

Why Japanese Websites Look So Different

Have you ever wondered why the principles of Japanese web design clash with what’s practiced in the West? Cultural and historical factors contribute to their distinct aesthetic and while they might appear chaotic, Japanese designs make more sense than you’d think.

Ad Blocking Infringes Copyright? Ancient Sony Cheat Lawsuit May Prove Pivotal

Delve into a surprising legal battle, examining how an old lawsuit involving Sony's cheat codes could set a precedent for the legality of ad-blocking software and its implications for digital content consumption.

Let’s stay in touch! 📨 

Do you have any comments about this newsletter issue or questions you want to ask? Drop me a message or book a meeting.