> This is what they said about React when it first blew up
FWIW, I think that "it's much closer to being just javascript™" statement has absolutely held up over time (Angular, esp. the old angular.js is painful compared to React for this reason), AND that Svelte is likely a step closer again (which they can do because they have an entire compiler and aren't reliant on embedded a DSL inside of JavaScript).
I agree Svelte is a step closer, but most people agree that modern React has at least somewhat strayed from just javascript™. Server components by default, hooks, JSX, synthetic events, etc have added many more layers of abstraction. I fully support these developments. I just think they're a necessary byproduct of a project maturing. I fear that if Svelte ever blows up past a niche framework, it will also stray from it's "use the platform" philosophy out of necessity as well
FWIW, I think that "it's much closer to being just javascript™" statement has absolutely held up over time (Angular, esp. the old angular.js is painful compared to React for this reason), AND that Svelte is likely a step closer again (which they can do because they have an entire compiler and aren't reliant on embedded a DSL inside of JavaScript).