arXiv subjects

Juho Vepsäläinen

Publications and source records attributed to Juho Vepsäläinen.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

BRHC: Backend-driven Reactive Hypermedia Controls with a Statically Typed Kotlin DSL

AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., Copilot, Cursor, Claude) are increasingly ubiquitous and enable rapid generation of web applications. However, this raises concerns regarding complexity, longevity and the long-term maintainability of generated systems. A key source of complexity is the heterogeneity between backend and frontend programming models, where multiple languages and paradigms are combined within a single application, often leading to duplicated logic and fragmented state management. To address this issue, recent approaches (e.g., HTMX, Turbo Hotwire, Datastar, etc.) follow the Hypermedia-Driven Application (HDA) model, positioning HTML as the primary communication medium between client and server. Unlike SPA-centric architectures, HDA systems shift the application state and interaction logic to the server, where backend-driven reactive signals synchronize with the client user interface. However, these approaches still introduce complexity through custom attributes and do not fully eliminate JavaScript, particularly in computed expressions. In this work, we propose a statically typed approach using a Kotlin-based HTML DSL (Domain-Specific Language) for backend-driven reactive web applications. We extend the HtmlFlow Kotlin DSL with typed custom HTML attributes (i.e., Datastar data-* attributes) and signal-based bindings using statically typed builders. We demonstrate the approach through a catalog of reactive interaction patterns and a Petclinic Spring MVC case study. The results indicate that the proposed approach can nearly eliminate the need for JavaScript while improving type safety and preserving a homogeneous programming model across frontend and backend, bridged through a backend-driven reactive, signal-centric architecture.

cs.SE↗

arXiv2026

The Case for HTML First Web Development

Since its introduction in the early 90s, the web has become the largest application platform available globally. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) has been an essential part of the web since the beginning, as it allows defining webpages in a tree-like manner, including semantics and content. Although the web was never meant to be an application platform, it evolved as such, especially since the early 2000s, as web application frameworks became available. While the emergence of frameworks made it easier than ever to develop complex applications, it also put HTML on the back burner. As web standards caught up, especially with milestones such as HTML5, the gap between the web platform and frameworks was reduced. HTML First development emphasizes this shift and puts focus on literally using HTML first when possible, while encouraging minimalism familiar from the early days of the web. It seems HTML-oriented web development can provide clear benefits to developers, especially when it is combined with comple- mentary approaches, such as embracing hypermedia and moving a large part of application logic to the server side. In the context of the htmx project, it was observed that moving towards HTML can reduce the size of a codebase greatly while leading to maintenance and development benefits due to the increased conceptual simplicity. Holotype-based comparisons for content-oriented websites show performance benefits, and the same observation was confirmed by a small case study where the Yle website was converted to follow HTML First principles. In short, the HTML First approach seems to have clear advantages for web developers, while there are open questions related to the magnitude of the benefits and the alignment with the recent trend of AI-driven web development.

cs.SE↗

arXiv2025

Perspectives and potential issues in using artificial intelligence for computer science education

Since its launch in late 2022, ChatGPT has ignited widespread interest in Large Language Models (LLMs) and broader Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions. As this new wave of AI permeates various sectors of society, we are continually uncovering both the potential and the limitations of existing AI tools. The need for adjustment is particularly significant in Computer Science Education (CSEd), as LLMs have evolved into core coding tools themselves, blurring the line between programming aids and intelligent systems, and reinforcing CSEd's role as a nexus of technology and pedagogy. The findings of our survey indicate that while AI technologies hold potential for enhancing learning experiences, such as through personalized learning paths, intelligent tutoring systems, and automated assessments, there are also emerging concerns. These include the risk of over-reliance on technology, the potential erosion of fundamental cognitive skills, and the challenge of maintaining equitable access to such innovations. Recent advancements represent a paradigm shift, transforming not only the content we teach but also the methods by which teaching and learning take place. Rather than placing the burden of adapting to AI technologies on students, educational institutions must take a proactive role in verifying, integrating, and applying new pedagogical approaches. Such efforts can help ensure that both educators and learners are equipped with the skills needed to navigate the evolving educational landscape shaped by these technological innovations.

cs.CY↗

arXiv2024

Overview of Web Application Performance Optimization Techniques

During its thirty years of existence, the World Wide Web has helped to transform the world and create digital economies. Although it started as a global information exchange, it has become the most significant available application platform on top of its initial target. One of the side effects of this evolution was perhaps suboptimal ways to deliver content over the web, leading to wasted resources and business through lost conversions. Technically speaking, there are many ways to improve the performance of web applications. In this article, we examine the currently available options and the latest trends related to improving web application performance.

cs.SE↗

arXiv2023

The State of Disappearing Frameworks in 2023

Disappearing frameworks represent a new type of thinking for web development. In the current mainstream JavaScript frameworks, the focus has been on developer experience at the cost of user experience. Disappearing frameworks shift the focus by aiming to deliver as little, even zero, JavaScript to the client. In this paper, we look at the options available in the ecosystem in mid-2023 and characterize them in terms of functionality and features to provide a state-of-the-art view of the trend. We found that the frameworks rely heavily on compilers, often support progressive enhancement, and most of the time support static output. While solutions like Astro are UI library agnostic, others, such as Marko, are more opinionated.

cs.SE↗

arXiv2023

Implications of Edge Computing for Static Site Generation

Static site generation (SSG) is a common technique in the web development space to create performant websites that are easy to host. Numerous SSG tools exist, and the approach has been complemented by newer approaches, such as Jamstack, that extend its usability. Edge computing represents a new option to extend the usefulness of SSG further by allowing the creation of dynamic sites on top of a static backdrop, providing dynamic resources close to the user. In this paper, we explore the impact of the recent developments in the edge computing space and consider its implications for SSG.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2023

The Rise of Disappearing Frameworks in Web Development

The evolution of the web can be characterized as an emergence of frameworks paving the way from static websites to dynamic web applications. As the scope of web applications has grown, new technical challenges have emerged, leading to the need for new solutions. The latest of these developments is the rise of so-called disappearing web frameworks that question the axioms of earlier generations of web frameworks, providing benefits of the early web and simple static sites.

cs.SE↗

arXiv2023

Disappearing frameworks explained

The web is the most prominent application platform globally, thanks to its vast user base. It started as a site platform in the 90s and morphed into an application one over time as interactive web applications became a reality. So-called single-page applications (SPAs) represent the current mainstream way of developing web applications but they come with their drawbacks. Although SPAs provide good developer experience, there is a cost for the users due to the underlying technical assumptions. Disappearing frameworks question these assumptions and provide a fresh start. The purpose of this short book is to give a quick introduction to disappearing frameworks and show their meaning as an emerging topic within the space of web application development.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2023

ECMAScript -- The journey of a programming language from an idea to a standard

A significant portion of the web is powered by ECMAScript. As a web technology, it is ubiquitous and available on most platforms natively or through a web browser. ECMAScript is the dominant language of the web, but at the same time, it was not designed as such. The story of ECMAScript is a story of the impact of standardization on the popularity of technology. Simultaneously, the story shows how external pressures can shape a programming language and how politics can mar the evolution of a standard. In this article, we will go through the movements that led to the dominant position of ECMAScript, evaluate the factors leading to it, and consider its evolution using the Futures Triangle framework and the theory of standards wars.

cs.PL↗