Blitz.js — a Rails-like framework for full-stack React apps without an API ↦
Brandon Bayer:
The central thesis is that most apps don’t need a REST or GraphQL API. Blitz brings back the simplicity of server rendered frameworks like Ruby on Rails while preserving everything we love about React.
Additionally, Blitz is bringing other Rails goodness that’s missing in the React ecosystem like file structure and routing conventions, a really nice console REPL, intelligent code-scaffolding, and a fine-tuned out-of-the-box setup with Prettier, Typescript, ESlint, Jest, Cypress, etc.
The framework ‘wars’ continue right alongside the monolith-vs-microservices debate. For more on the principles behind Blitz, check out the manifesto.
Discussion
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Brandon Bayer
2020-04-06T14:02:55Z ago
Also definitely check out the architecture RFC which details exactly what a Blitz app looks like!
We posted that RFC last week, and now we’re just starting work on building the missing pieces to make it all work. If you’re interested in helping, let me know! We’d love all the help we can get! Joining the Blitz slack community is the best place to start.
Jerod Santo
Omaha, Nebraska
Jerod co-hosts The Changelog, crashes JS Party, and takes out the trash (his old code) once in awhile.
2020-04-06T16:57:05Z ago
I find it interesting that Blitz and Redwood are springing onto the scene at relatively the same time.
⭐ Both are full-stack frameworks for React apps
⭐ Both are heavily inspired by Ruby on Rails
BUT Redwood is all about APIs and pre-rendering while Blitz is all about server-side rendering…
Brandon Bayer
2020-04-07T03:07:00Z ago
Yeah, it is interesting!
So Blitz isn’t all about SSR. Back at the initial announcement, SSR was the key thing, but this is no longer the case. Blitz pages can be fully static shells with data loaded on the client or they can be SSR. And you can choose static vs SSR on a page by page basis.
The core difference between Redwood and Blitz is that Blitz uses RPC and Redwood uses GraphQL. The second biggest difference is that Blitz is built on Next.js (so you get everything Next provides, including custom API routes), but Redwood is built on their own custom webpack setup.