Tech To Watch In 2020

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Syntax’s 2020 tech watchlist highlights a shift toward more powerful, modern web tooling: CSS advances like Subgrid and Houdini, package-management rewrites, new runtimes such as Deno, React ecosystem progress (Suspense, Apollo 3, Next.js static generation), and the continued rise of serverless, headless CMSs, and design/dev tools like Figma. The hosts also share product updates, sponsor mentions, and personal workflow/sick-pick recommendations.

Main Topics: CSS evolution: Subgrid, Houdini, sticky, and scrollbars: The hosts discuss CSS Subgrid as a major layout breakthrough, CSS Houdini/Paint API as a powerful future-facing extension mechanism, and broader CSS features becoming more usable as IE support fades, including position: sticky, scroll snapping, and scrollbar styling. Package management upheaval: npm Tink, Yarn PnP, Pika, and shared caches: They frame package management as an active innovation area, with npm Tink’s installerless/runtime fetching model and Yarn Plug’n’Play both aiming to reduce duplication, improve caching, and simplify dependency handling. JavaScript runtime and framework trends: Deno, React Suspense, Apollo 3, Next.js, Gatsby: The episode spotlights Deno as a new TypeScript-friendly runtime inspired by lessons from Node, and covers React Suspense, Apollo 3 cache improvements, Next.js static generation, and Gatsby’s likely move toward unified querying. Meteor’s revival and broader full-stack frameworks: Scott explains that Meteor’s acquisition by Tiny has renewed momentum, with updates, a new roadmap, and improved confidence in the project’s future. Related tools like Keystone, Strapi, and Vulcan are also mentioned as batteries-included full-stack options. Serverless, headless CMS, and content infrastructure: The hosts see continued growth in serverless platforms and a crowded, competitive headless CMS market. They argue this competition will drive innovation and better alternatives to traditional WordPress-style workflows. Tooling and product ecosystem: Cypress, Modules, Figma, LogRocket: They note continued development in testing (Cypress Firefox support), visual/code generation tools (Modules), design tooling (Figma’s rapid feature growth), and debugging/observability (LogRocket replaying user sessions).

Key Arguments: Subgrid is a meaningful CSS breakthrough because it solves nested layout problems that have long been awkward or impossible in standard Grid. CSS Houdini could become one of the largest changes in CSS authoring by exposing lower-level hooks and making CSS extensible in powerful new ways. As IE usage declines, more of the modern CSS feature set becomes practical for production use, including sticky positioning and scroll snap. Package management is in flux, and multiple ecosystems are converging on shared caches, less duplication, and less reliance on node_modules. Deno is positioned as a ground-up rethink of Node.js, and early adoption could create career advantages for developers who specialize in it. React’s Suspense and Apollo 3’s cache improvements could significantly simplify data fetching and state management, especially when SSR support matures. Next.js static generation is a meaningful response to Gatsby’s popularity, moving the React ecosystem toward more flexible static/site generation patterns. Meteor’s future improved materially after Tiny’s acquisition, because new ownership brought roadmap clarity and continued engineering investment. The headless CMS market is crowded, but that competition is beneficial because it forces innovation and better developer/client experiences. Design and debugging tools are becoming more integrated and powerful; Figma and LogRocket are examples of products continuing to replace older workflows.

Data Points: Firefox version supporting Subgrid: 71 - Subgrid was noted as available in Firefox 71, released on December 2. IE11 release date: October 16, 2013 - Used to emphasize how old and outdated IE11 is compared with current web standards. NPM Tink blog post date: September 12, 2018 - The Tink concept had been discussed for some time before this episode. Meteor acquisition: Tiny acquired Meteor and Galaxy - Presented as a turning point for Meteor’s renewed development momentum. Apollo version in discussion: 3 - Apollo 3 was highlighted for improved cache control and package organization. Next.js static generation feature: get static props - The new API was discussed as part of Next.js’s move into static site generation. Sanity free tier promotion: Double the normal free tier - Listeners were directed to a Sanity signup link that increased the standard free tier. LogRocket trial offer: 14 days free - Sponsor callout for session replay and debugging tools. GoVee thermometer price: $13 - A cheap Bluetooth temperature/humidity sensor was recommended as a sick pick. Rack-mounted power strip outlets: 16 outlets - A rack-mount power strip was recommended for tidy equipment management. Course sale discount code: $10 off with code "syntax" - Wes promoted his courses with an extra coupon discount during the new year sale.

Pivotal Quotes: "If you want the full-on scoop, refer to that episode." — Wes Boss: While introducing Subgrid and pointing listeners to a prior deep-dive episode. "CSS Houdini is going to give us like power tools, essentially." — Wes Boss: Describing why he believes the CSS Paint API could transform how CSS is authored and shared. "Theoretically, you could just pass in an array of dimensions and I could give that hook to the world." — Wes Boss: Explaining the React Hook used to calculate SVG path centers between course cards.

Implications: Listeners should expect faster-moving browser APIs, more ambitious package tooling, and broader adoption of full-stack and serverless workflows. The web stack is becoming more powerful, but specialization in emerging tools could offer major career advantages.