989: State of JS 2025

The State of JS 2025 survey results are analyzed, focusing on JavaScript libraries, tools, and their shifting popularity. A key observation is the "backward C" shape in the popularity charts, indicating initial enthusiasm followed by disillusionment for many libraries like Express and React. Exceptions like Solid, VTest, and Vite, which exhibit an "S" shape, suggest renewed positive sentiment. The hosts discuss the library tier list, noting Astro's surprising S-tier placement and Next.js's low C-tier ranking. They explore the rise of VTest and Playwright in testing, the continued dominance of Express in back-end frameworks despite AI's tendency to suggest it, and the increasing adoption of Zod for validation. The discussion also covers JavaScript runtimes, hosting platforms, text editors, and AI tools, highlighting trends and potential future shifts in the JavaScript landscape.