Meet the Montana Professor Reshaping Web Development: Challenging JavaScript, Reviving REST, and Simplifying Reactivity
Carson Gross is an influential figure in the world of web development, known for creating HTMX and Hyperscript, two tools that challenge conventional approaches to front-end development. In addition to his work on these projects, Gross is a professor of software engineering at Montana State University and co-author of Hypermedia Systems. He’s also the mind behind The Grug Brained Developer, a humorous yet insightful guide aimed at helping programmers avoid overcomplication in their work.
In a recent conversation, I had the pleasure of diving deep into Carson’s thoughts on the motivations behind HTMX and Hyperscript, his perspective on the shortcomings of REST, and his view on the future of JavaScript. What struck me most was his candid approach to simplifying web development and his willingness to question widely accepted practices.
When asked about The Grug Brained Developer, Gross reflected on its intended audience and the philosophy behind it. “I appreciate that,” he responded with a laugh. “I think it’s worth reading for most developers. I kind of geared it towards younger devs, though. It certainly isn’t perfect—hard to be when you are using a caveman voice and trying to be funny—but I think most of the advice is solid.” Gross’s advice centers around keeping development simple, resisting the urge to over-engineer solutions, and staying grounded in practical, maintainable code. Despite the humor, the message resonates with developers of all experience levels.
We both agreed that many programming mistakes stem from a desire to prove one’s intelligence or overconfidence. I shared with him that most of my own coding troubles came from thinking I was smarter than I really was. Gross responded thoughtfully, saying, “Yeah, I think everyone who has programmed for a while has experienced that point at which you realize you’ve gotten in too deep and can’t keep the system in your head anymore.” He noted that it’s not always about thinking you’re too smart, but about failing to recognize when complexity starts to creep in. He also pointed out the social dynamics in tech environments that often discourage admitting when things become too complicated.
Gross has a unique perspective on the culture of development teams, particularly when it comes to complexity. “Social dynamics in tech jobs punish people who say things like, ‘Uh, this is too complicated for me,’” he said. This observation highlights a pervasive issue in many programming teams, where developers feel pressure to push through complex systems instead of advocating for simpler, more maintainable solutions. His emphasis on simplicity is also reflected in his projects, like HTMX, which aim to bring more intuitive and straightforward approaches to web development.
On the topic of JavaScript, Gross offered a balanced yet critical view. While he acknowledged JavaScript’s flexibility, he was cautious about its pitfalls. “JavaScript is an okay scripting language,” he said. “It isn’t a great general-purpose language in my opinion.” He compared JavaScript to C++ in its tendency to accumulate too many features and different ways of accomplishing the same task, which can lead to confusion. However, he was quick to emphasize JavaScript’s staying power: “JavaScript has one unbelievable feature: it’s there, in the browser. And that will make it the premier scripting language for the web for the foreseeable future.”
Ultimately, Gross’s work and ideas reflect his belief in reducing complexity in software development. His projects, writings, and teachings all point toward a future where simplicity is valued over sophistication, and developers are empowered to create systems that are not only functional but also sustainable in the long run. Whether through HTMX, Hyperscript, or his contributions to the developer community, Carson Gross continues to advocate for a more thoughtful approach to web development, one that prioritizes the sanity of developers and the long-term health of the systems they build.