Meet htmx: HTML on steroids

HTML builds the structural skeleton of anything that you see on the web. It is the foundation of the web, and all web browsers understand it. However, as we progressed and needed advanced technologies to build modern complex apps, we shifted away from HTML and started using HTML-like templates such as JSX, Pug, etc.

In this blog, let's explore a new and shiny library that lets you build modern complex apps without going far from your native HTML code.

Introducing htmx: High power tools for HTML

HTMX, or Hypertext Markup Extension, is a lightweight library that allows programmers to build highly interactive websites using only HTML. It allows you to access modern browser features directly from HTML without using JavaScript. It is small, dependency-free, extendable, IE11 compatible & has reduced code base sizes by 67% compared with React.

The idea of htmx truly started getting into execution when the team behind it started rethinking the fundamental approaches of traditional HTML structure:

• Why should only <a> and <form> be able to make HTTP requests?
• Why should only click & submit Do events trigger them?
• Why should only GET & POST methods be available?
• Why should you only be able to replace the entire screen?

By removing these arbitrary constraints, htmx completes HTML as a hypertext.

Why consider htmx?

Why consider htmx when tons of UI libraries and frameworks are available with broader community support, tried and tested suite of tools, and ecosystems? Well, htmx shines in its own ways and parts itself from other UI libraries. Let's go over some of the key points to consider using htmx in your next hobby project:

1. Enhanced User Experience: Without needing a complete page reload, htmx provides smooth and dynamic updating of web pages. As a result, users may see information updates in real-time without interrupting their workflow, resulting in a more fluid and responsive user experience.
2. Simple and Lightweight: htmx is intended to be simple and portable. It uses already-available web technologies like XMLHttpRequest and HTML attributes without requiring extensive frameworks. Because of its simplicity, htmx can be rapidly adopted and integrated into applications by developers.
3. Progressive Enhancement: Since htmx follows progressive enhancement, you can start with basic HTML and then add interactivity by enhancing htmx characteristics. This method guarantees that even for users who have limited JavaScript knowledge or are utilizing assistive technology, your application will continue to be usable and accessible.
4. Smoother Integration: Htmx can easily interface with server-side frameworks and libraries already in use. It is compatible with various server-side languages and frameworks since it does not impose any particular decision on the backend technology. Htmx can be added to your current stack without extensive rewrites or migrations.
5. Performance Improvement: htmx can significantly enhance the speed of your web apps by minimizing complete page reloads and reducing server queries. Users engage with the system more quickly and smoothly, which makes surfing more enjoyable and effective. 

How does htmx work?

HTMX works by adding new attributes to traditional HTML that can handle the complex requirements of modern interfaces. At its core, htmx extends the capabilities of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to enable seamless communication between the client and server, facilitating dynamic updates without full-page reloads.

Let's explore the key components and mechanisms involved in how htmx operates:

1. HTML Attributes: htmx utilizes html attributes to define the behavior and interactions of elements on a web page. By adding specific attributes to HTML elements, you can tell htmx how those elements should interact with the server and handle responses. 
2. Event Triggering: htmx enables you to specify the events that trigger requests to the server. You can use attributes like hx-get, hx-post, or hx-trigger to define when an HTTP GET, or POST request should be sent. For example, you can set up a button to trigger an action when clicked or an input field to send a request on a specific event, such as the "change" event.
3. Request and Response Handling: When an event is triggered, htmx intercepts it and automatically sends an XMLHttpRequest to the server. The request is sent to the URL specified in the relevant htmx attribute (e.g., hx-get="/api/data"). The server processes the request and returns a response.
4. DOM Updates: After receiving the response from the server, htmx decides how to update the web page based on the hx-swap attribute. This attribute specifies the target element or elements that should be updated with the response content. htmx then replaces the existing content of the target element(s) with the new content from the server, effectively updating the page without requiring a full reload.

Use cases for htmx

htmx is a versatile library that can be applied to various use cases in web development. Here are some common scenarios where htmx can be beneficial.

1. Dynamic Forms: htmx simplifies form handling by allowing developers to submit form data asynchronously without reloading the entire page. This is particularly useful for multi-step forms, where different sections can be updated dynamically based on user input.
2. Real-time Updates: htmx enables real-time updates of content on a web page without the need for manual refreshing. This is valuable for applications that require live data, such as social media feeds, chat applications, or collaborative editing tools.
3. Filtering and sorting: With htmx, you can implement interactive filtering and sorting functionalities on data-rich web pages. Users can dynamically refine search results or sort data by different criteria without needing full-page reloads.
4. Modal Windows and Dialogs: htmx facilitates the creation of modal windows and dialogs by allowing developers to dynamically load content from the server and inject it into the current page. This is handy for displaying additional information, confirmation dialogs, or interactive widgets without disrupting the user's flow.
5. Infinite Scrolling: htmx enables the implementation of infinite scrolling, where new content is loaded automatically as the user scrolls down a page. This approach provides users with a smoother and more seamless browsing experience while reducing unnecessary server requests.
6. Notifications and Alerts: htmx can be used to display notifications or alerts in real-time with real-time disrupting the current user interaction. For example, when a new message arrives, or an action is completed, htmx can dynamically update a notification area on the page.
7. Live data visualization: If you have data that needs to be visualized in real-time, htmx can be combined with JavaScript charting libraries to update charts and graphs dynamically. This is valuable for monitoring systems, analytics dashboards, or any application that requires real-time data visualization.
8. Progressive Loading: htmx can progressively load content on-demand, improving the initial page load performance. By loading content as needed, rather than all at once, htmx can speed up the perceived performance of your web application.

htmx vs other JS libraries 

htmx differentiates itself from other JavaScript libraries by focusing on simplicity, lightweight, and a progressive enhancement approach. While other libraries like React, Angular, or Vue.js offer more comprehensive solutions for building complex web applications, htmx provides a lightweight alternative for enhancing interactivity in existing HTML-based projects. Here are some key points of comparison:

1. Size and Complexity: htmx is a lightweight library that can be easily integrated into existing projects without introducing significant overhead. In contrast, larger frameworks like React or Angular have more extensive feature sets and additional concepts to learn, making them more suitable for building large-scale applications.
2. Learning Curve: htmx follows a "progressive enhancement" approach, where developers can enhance existing HTML with htmx attributes to add interactivity. This approach allows developers familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to quickly adopt full-page and utilize htmx without learning a new framework or toolset.
3. Integration with Existing Codebases: htmx is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing server-side frameworks and libraries. It doesn't impose any particular backend or requires to adapt extensive configuration, making it compatible with various server-side technologies. This flexibility allows developers to incrementally introduce htmx into their projects without requiring a complete rewrite.
4. Use of Standard Web Technologies: htmx leverages existing web technologies, such as HTML attributes and XMLHttpRequest, to provide functionality. It doesn't introduce new abstractions or require developers to learn proprietary syntax. This adherence to standard web technologies makes it easier to understand and work with htmx.
5. Performance: Due to its lightweight nature, htmx can provide fast and efficient interactions, reducing the need for full-page reloads and minimizing data transfers. This can lead to improved performance and a smoother user experience.
6. Specific Use Cases: htmx excels in use cases that require enhancing existing HTML with real-time updates, dynamic forms, and interactive components. It is beneficial for adding interactivity to static pages or enhancing server-rendered applications.

Quick Start

Let's see how you can start with building htmx apps.

First, add this <script> tag into CDN

<script src="https://unpkg.com/htmx.org@1.9.4"></script>

And use htmx-specific attributes inside your normal HTML elements:

<!-- have a button POST a click via AJAX -->
 <button hx-post="/clicked" hx-swap="outerHTML">
   Click Me
 </button>

The hx-post and hx-swap attributes on this button tell htmx: "When a user clicks on this button, issue an AJAX request to /clicked, and replace the entire button with the HTML response"

Here's the documentaiton for your reference"