Calling out anyone that still writes their frontend code

Introduction

Over my year of writing front-end code, I've only grown more resentful of the process to the point that I detest it. I can't fathom why anyone would put themselves through such unnecessary overhead. Do you enjoy pressing alt-tab multiple times just to align a div by a few pixels? Or do you like dividing up your already small screen space?

Anyways, I personally don't like dealing with any of this so I've come up with a few unconventional solutions. I'm not suggesting using a UI library or switching to tailwind.js. Those solutions are fine but the ROI I'm offering is greater.

Solutions

Copy paste code

I'm suggesting completely skipping the coding process entirely. You really don't have to write code yourself anymore. I would say though that if you are a beginner you probably should learn how to write it yourself. But once you've gotten the basics down don't waste your time trying to become an advanced frontend developer. You're not that special and your boss probably doesn't care anyway.

Instead, embrace the power of open source. There are so many developers but out their great works for you to steal👀. Well, not stealing per se. Let's call it creative adoption.

Steal from one artist and you are called the next Leonardo or Michael Angelo. But steal from many and you are called an original.

- I couldn't find who said it. lol.

Let me give you an idea. Say you want to start a Next.js project about e-commerce. I'd start by using a prebuilt Nextjs template like create-t3-app of the one by shadcnUI. Then find a project that a built using this template and take their login and sign-up page. Their pretty navigation menu you get the gist. Basically try to get out of doing as much work as possible. Then go back in a tweak a few things and you should be good. Or if you have the money just pay for Nextjs templates. But if you are broke like me this is a good alternative.

Use a visual Editor

Now there can be situations where copying and pasting isn't a viable solution. Say you are trying to build a custom landing page, like a portfolio page that is unique to you. You'd probably want your portfolio to stand out and not look the same as the 200 other people who lazily coupled their websites together.

If you are in the situation stated above, then please consider using a visual editor. I can't, for the life of me, understand why this isn't more popular. It's like people just want to prioritize form over function. Do you feel like you are losing your identity as a programmer because people can actually understand what shows up on your screen? Flexing on your friends is great and all, but if you have a long-ass project you need to get done I'd say switch over to a visual editor. Combining a visual editor with a UI library like shadcnUI is chef's kiss.

Conclusion

Anyway, hope you enjoy and maybe try out these unconventional solutions. Seriously we need more people contributing to the visual editor space. Hopefully open source. Bye.