We begin a course on Astro, a web development framework initially for static site generation, focused on content and speed.
In its origins, Astro emerged as a static HTML generator, designed to reduce the amount of JavaScript on web pages. The goal is to make them simpler, faster, and more optimized for SEO.
We’ll talk more about Astro’s advantages later. But first, as it’s fundamental to understanding Astro, let’s review what a static generator is 👇.
Astro is one of my favorite technologies for web development. In fact, this website you are seeing is built with Astro 💛.
Astro as a Static Generator
In the early days of the web, sites were static. That is, they were HTML and CSS files that showed the same content to all users (until you change them, of course).
As websites needed more complex behaviors (social networks, user profiles, shopping carts), technologies like PHP, or JS frameworks like Angular, React, Vue were created.
There’s nothing wrong with using these tools, but most websites don’t need that much complexity (you’re killing flies with a cannon).
SSGs (static site generators) emerge to solve this. They are tools that help us generate static websites. And there are many available (like Astro, Hugo, Jekyll…).
A website being static doesn’t mean it “doesn’t do things”. The page can change with JavaScript, even load data.
The only thing it means is that the files are the same for all users (until they are changed on the server, of course).
Advantages of Astro
Now, what advantages does Astro have as a static generator? What advantages over other generators? I’ll say it very clearly, it’s super comfortable to work with Astro.
And besides, it has other advantages. (many common to all static generators). Some of these are.
- Performance and Speed: Astro generates very fast and lightweight pages.
- Integration with Frontend Frameworks: You can use components from React, Vue, Svelte and other frameworks.
- Support for Markdown and MDX: Allows adding content in Markdown and MDX (ideal for blogs and documentation).
- SEO Improvement: Small and fast sites are liked more by Google (it doesn’t work miracles, but it won’t hurt your website).
- Simple Deployment: You can deploy your site anywhere, because it doesn’t require a special backend (ASP, PHP, Node, etc).
In short, the development experience is really good. It’s very comfortable and simple to make websites. Astro is well thought out.
The feeling when using it is “like coming home”. That it always should have been like this. With a taste of hot chocolate and cookies.
And since it’s one of my favorite technologies, the course is coming 🎉🥳!
