The madness of modern programming

Modern web development has reached absurd levels of over-engineering, with bloated JavaScript libraries and frameworks dominating even the simplest projects. Developers today use gigabytes of code to make webpages perform basic actions, relying on endless dependencies that slow performance, complicate debugging, and demand high-end hardware from users.

Meanwhile, a project like Doom-in-a-PDF, where a 1993 classic FPS game runs inside a PDF file, highlights the brilliance of efficient, creative coding.

This satirical article contrasts the ridiculous bloat of modern web development—where frameworks and NPM dependencies reign supreme—with the sheer ingenuity of making Doom playable in a document designed for text.

We explore how modern devs have become dependent on unnecessary tools like React and Tailwind for the most basic tasks, while ingenious programmers create magic with minimal resources. The article also critiques user expectations and offers solutions for breaking free from the endless spiral of over-engineering.

Ultimately, it’s a wake-up call for developers to embrace creativity and simplicity, showing that efficiency often triumphs over bloat. Want to laugh, reflect, and maybe rethink your approach to coding? Read the full article to explore the madness and the lessons from Doom-in-a-PDF.