Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats

961: Keeping Up With The Fast and Furious Web

Scott and CJ go live from JS Nation NYC to talk about how developers can actually stay current without drowning in the constant churn of new tools and trends. They break down how to see through the fluff, focus on why tech exists before adopting it, and build a healthier, curiosity-driven approach to learning in 2025 and beyond. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 00:39 Scott delivering a non-technical talk at JS Nation. * 03:24 Lamenting the frequency of change as developers. * 03:46 Understanding why things exist before deciding to learn them. * 05:11 Learning styles are a myth? * 07:41 First dates and psychology exams. * 10:39 Discovering is step one, playing is step two. * 13:32 Learn with a project that you actually want. * 18:16 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax]. * 18:34 Cutting through the noise of new tech. * 21:40 Using AI as a learning tool * 25:12 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs. SICK PICKS * Scott: dbrand Ghost Case 2.0 [https://dbrand.com/shop/ghost/iphone-17-pro-clear-cases] * CJ: analog watches HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

960: Reacting to the Weird + Creative Corners of the Web

Wes and Scott talk about the weird, creative corners of the web—from live-coded music with Strudel and wild Hydra visuals to shader wizardry, projection-mapping art, fully synced Christmas lights, and more. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:10 Strudel [https://strudel.cc/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_dave__/video/7541104277234748685 [https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_dave__/video/7541104277234748685] * https://www.tiktok.com/@switch.angel/video/7542776528057257229 [https://www.tiktok.com/@switch.angel/video/7542776528057257229] * 03:45 Hydra [https://hydra.ojack.xyz/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@spacetiger3000/video/7552354878635511095?q=hydra%20video%20synth&t=1762879433461 [https://www.tiktok.com/@spacetiger3000/video/7552354878635511095?q=hydra%20video%20synth&t=1762879433461] * 05:44 P5.js [https://beta.p5js.org/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@julian_hespenheide/video/7408511121323248929?q=p5.js%20&t=1762879954031 [https://www.tiktok.com/@julian_hespenheide/video/7408511121323248929?q=p5.js%20&t=1762879954031] * https://www.tiktok.com/@m171148385929472638284/video/7544793538496679190?q=p5.js%20&t=1762879954031 [https://www.tiktok.com/@m171148385929472638284/video/7544793538496679190?q=p5.js%20&t=1762879954031] * 08:03 ShaderToy [https://www.shadertoy.com/] * https://shaders.com/ [https://shaders.com/] * https://www.shadertoy.com/view/ldlcRf [https://www.shadertoy.com/view/ldlcRf] * https://www.tiktok.com/@phi.graphics/video/6927475445059292421?q=shadertoy&t=1762879566343 [https://www.tiktok.com/@phi.graphics/video/6927475445059292421?q=shadertoy&t=1762879566343] * https://www.tiktok.com/@fifi_cgi/video/7255109146062687494?q=shadertoy&t=1762879566343 [https://www.tiktok.com/@fifi_cgi/video/7255109146062687494?q=shadertoy&t=1762879566343] * 11:13 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax] * 11:37 MadMapper [https://madmapper.com/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@dfiftyd50/video/7556202990529563920 [https://www.tiktok.com/@dfiftyd50/video/7556202990529563920] * https://www.tiktok.com/@dfiftyd50/video/7569626387577965844?q=projection%20mapping&t=1762879388084 [https://www.tiktok.com/@dfiftyd50/video/7569626387577965844?q=projection%20mapping&t=1762879388084] * 14:13 Touch Designer [https://derivative.ca/] * https://www.reddit.com/r/TouchDesigner/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/TouchDesigner/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@bedareveryday/video/7558850186601172246?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502 [https://www.tiktok.com/@bedareveryday/video/7558850186601172246?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502] * https://www.tiktok.com/@maze88196/video/7521311510488943894?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502 [https://www.tiktok.com/@maze88196/video/7521311510488943894?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502] * https://www.tiktok.com/@valen.bertol/video/7475117172847562039?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502 [https://www.tiktok.com/@valen.bertol/video/7475117172847562039?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502] * 16:45 xLights [https://xlights.org/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@ravespotlight/video/7311729112425516320?q=lights%20christmas&t=1762879799384 [https://www.tiktok.com/@ravespotlight/video/7311729112425516320?q=lights%20christmas&t=1762879799384] * https://www.tiktok.com/@thatlightguy_/video/7315199858338565418?q=xlights%20show&t=1762879927155 [https://www.tiktok.com/@thatlightguy_/video/7315199858338565418?q=xlights%20show&t=1762879927155] * 20:19 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Scott: NeueCast [https://neuecast.app/] * Wes: * 6 Port 2.5G Unmanaged Ethernet Switch [https://amzn.to/49dBTbx] * UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter 2.5Gb [https://amzn.to/47CwKIR] HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

959: TypeScript on the GPU with TypeGPU creator Iwo Plaza

Scott and CJ sit down live at JSNation NYC with Iwo Plaza, creator of TypeGPU, to dig into how WebGPU is unlocking a new wave of graphics and compute power on the web. They chat about shader authoring in TypeScript, the future of GPU-powered AI in the browser, and what it takes to build a killer developer-friendly graphics library. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 00:32 What is TypeGPU? High-level overview and why it exists * 01:20 WebGPU vs WebGL – the new era of GPU access on the web * 01:47 Why shader languages are hard + making them accessible * 02:24 Iwo’s background in C++, OpenGL, and discovering JS * 03:06 Sharing graphics work on the web vs native platforms * 03:29 WebGPU frustrations that inspired TypeGPU * 04:17 Making GPU–CPU data exchange easier with Zod-like schemas * 05:01 Writing shaders in JavaScript + the unified type system * 05:38 How the “use_gpu” directive works under the hood * 06:05 Building a compiler that turns TypeScript into shader code * 07:00 Type inference, primitives, structs, and TypeScript magic * 08:21 Leveraging existing tooling via Unplugin + bundler integration * 09:15 How TypeGPU extracts ASTs and generates TinyEST metadata * 10:10 Runtime shader generation vs build-time macros * 11:07 How the AST is traversed + maintaining transparency in output * 11:43 Example projects like Jelly Shader and community reception * 12:05 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax] * 12:30 Does TypeGPU replace 3JS? How it fits the existing ecosystem * 13:20 Low-level control vs high-level abstractions * 14:04 Upcoming Three.js integration – plugging TypeGPU into materials compute shaders * 15:34 Making GPU development more approachable * 16:26 Docs, examples, and the philosophy behind TypeGPU documentation * 17:03 Building features by building examples first * 18:13 Using examples as a test suite + how docs shape API design * 19:00 Docs as a forcing function for intuitive APIs * 20:21 GPU for AI – browser inference and future abstractions * 21:11 How AI examples inform new libraries (noise, inference, etc.) * 21:57 Keeping the core package small and flexible * 22:44 Building “TypeGPU AI”-style extensions without bloating the core * 23:07 The cost of AI examples and building everything from scratch * 23:41 Standard library design and future of the ecosystem * 24:04 Closing thoughts from Iwo – OSS, GPU renaissance, and encouragement * 24:34 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Iwo: Perogies SHAMELESS PLUGS * Iwo: Syntax Podcast HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

958: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

The Syntax team brings us their annual Holiday Gift Guide! They’ve curated the best gadgets, tools, food, and even kitchen essentials for the dev in your life — plus a few treats anyone would love to unwrap. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax * 00:54 Our Favorite Things * 01:03 Wes - Bambu Lab 3d Printers [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bambu+lab+printer&tag=webo080-20] * 01:50 Wes - Leatherman Arc Multi-tool [https://ca.leatherman.com/products/arc] * 03:07 Kaitlin - Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash [https://ruffwear.com/products/roamer-bungee-dog-leash] * 04:49 Niki - Magic Mirror Home Screen [https://magicmirror.builders/] * 06:42 Randy - Everything Presence Light [https://shop.everythingsmart.io/products/everything-presence-lite] * 08:22 Randy - Henson Safety Razor [https://hensonshaving.com/] * 10:24 CJ - Viltrox 28mm Pancake Lens [https://amzn.to/3K9Mg5N] * 11:17 Scott - 3D Printers * 11:37 Scott - Anker 4-Port Charger [https://amzn.to/3X7kCJR] * 12:45 Randy - DJI Mic Mini [https://www.dji.com/mic-mini] * 13:37 Randy - Velcro Cable Ties * 14:22 Kaitlin - Prequel Skin Care [https://prequelskin.com/] * 16:18 Kaitlin - Coros Pace 3 Running Watch [https://us.coros.com/pace3] * 17:30 Niki - Steam Machine [https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine] * 18:02 Niki - VR Headset * 18:18 Under $30 * 18:25 Wes - ESP32 [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=esp32&tag=webo080-20] * 18:45 Wes - WS2811 LED Strips [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=WS2811+LED+Strips&tag=webo080-20] * 19:44 CJ - Precision Screw Driver Set [https://amzn.to/43JEqqp] * 20:42 Scott - Magsafe Popsocket [https://amzn.to/4poSPk2] * 21:23 Wes - Digital Calipers [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Digital+Calipers&tag=webo080-20] * 22:45 CJ - Microfiber Device Cloth [https://amzn.to/3JYhLQp] * 23:33 Scott - Candle Warmer [https://amzn.to/47UR1tl] * 25:30 Wes - Matte Screen Protectors [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Matte+Screen+Protector&tag=webo080-20] * 25:38 Desk Items * 25:46 Wes - MX Master 4 Logitech Mouse [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=MX+Master+4&tag=webo080-20] * 26:40 Scott - Elgato Stream Deck [https://amzn.to/4oehFlM] * 29:12 CJ - Magsafe Phone Stand [https://amzn.to/4oRiou1] * 30:13 Office Items * 30:21 Wes - Heated Vest * 31:33 CJ - USB Hand Warmers [https://amzn.to/4r7Qvzv] * 32:23 Tech / Storage * 32:32 Scott - MoCa Ethernet Adapter [https://amzn.to/48fyOFK] * 33:41 CJ - 4TB Drive [https://amzn.to/47SjBLQ] and 1TB SD Card [https://amzn.to/4pqG60h] * 35:06 Wes - BenQ Programming Monitors [https://benqurl.biz/44dy4QN] * 37:28 Food * 37:37 Scott - Biena Edamame * 38:08 Wes - Heartbeat Hot Sauce [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Heartbeat+Hot+Sauce&tag=webo080-20] * 39:11 Wes - Seoul Sisters Kimchi Mix * 39:32 CJ - Clif Protein Bars [https://amzn.to/48romfo] * 39:55 CJ - Z Energy Strips [https://amzn.to/48c2mUM] * 40:51 Kitchen Gadgets * 41:00 Wes - Carbon Steel Frying Pan [https://amzn.to/3UiTXIY] * 42:35 CJ - Air Fryer [https://amzn.to/4pjNURf] * 44:45 Scott - Zojirushi Water Boiler [https://amzn.to/3XdJNua] * 45:43 Scott - Teak Cutting Board [https://amzn.to/44cnkS4] * 47:36 Clothes * 48:26 Wes - Hooke [https://hooke.com/] / Naked and Famous [https://nakedandfamousdenim.com/] * 49:24 Scott - Octobre Clothing [https://www.octobre-editions.com/us-en] * 50:31 Scott - Sezane Clothing [https://www.sezane.com/us-en/new-in] * 52:11 CJ - Blank Mineral Wash Shirts [https://amzn.to/4oa9h6Q] * 53:10 Kids * 53:17 Wes - Yoto Player [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Yoto+Player&tag=webo080-20] * 54:47 Scott - Tonie Box [https://amzn.to/4pnwjbh] * 56:06 CJ - Large Hedgehog Plush [https://amzn.to/43HQckZ] * 56:43 CJ - Tortilla Blanket [https://amzn.to/3LZ1ET8] * 57:04 Smarthome * 57:08 Scott - Lutron Caseta [https://amzn.to/4ijHwre] * 57:38 Wes - Meross [https://www.meross.com/en-gc] and Refoss [https://refoss.net/] * 01:00:41 Scott - Apollo Automation [https://apolloautomation.com/] * 01:01:29 CJ - Kauf Smart Home [https://amzn.to/43E8gws] * 01:02:52 CJ - Plant LED Bulb [https://amzn.to/47UWwbt] * 01:04:03 Scott - Roland Electronic Drum Set [https://amzn.to/48rGPIS] * 01:04:58 Thanks! HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

957: CSS: Advanced and Obscure

Scott and Wes face off in a CSS-themed round of STUMP’d, quizzing each other on shape functions, scroll snap types, obscure functions, and long-forgotten spec history. From ray() to cross-fade() to print-color quirks, this episode is packed with rapid-fire frontend trivia guaranteed to sharpen your CSS brain. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 00:54 Which of the following are valid CSS Shape Functions [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/basic-shape/shape]? * 02:03 CSS Selectors 4 specification demo. * 03:20 How many functions [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/Functions] are there in CSS? * 04:22 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax]. * 04:47 Explain the 3 CSS Scroll Snap [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Properties/scroll-snap-type] types. * 06:38 What does the xywh() [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/basic-shape/xywh] do? * 09:15 What about ray() [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/ray]? * 11:25 What do CSS Namespaces [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/At-rules/@namespace] do? * 14:37 What year was CSS paint() bug tracker [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/CSS_Painting_API] introduced in Firefox? * 17:34 What does print-color-adjust [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Properties/print-color-adjust] do? * 20:26 What is cross-fade() [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/cross-fade]? * 23:54 Name 3 reasons you might use CSS @property [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/At-rules/@property]. * 27:36 List all 10 CSS Filter Functions [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Properties/filter]. * 32:41 Name 5 font properties [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Properties/font]. HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]