HTMX: Dynamic HTML without JavaScript

July 30, 2024
Ravi Thanki

HTMX (pronounced "H-T-M-l-X") is a library that allows you to add dynamic behavior to your web pages using just HTML, without needing to write any JavaScript. It extends HTML through custom attributes to provide AJAX, WebSockets, and Server-Sent Events, making it possible to build modern web applications without having to resort to a large amount of JavaScript.

Here's a brief overview and some of the main concepts:

HX-Attributes: These are custom attributes that are added to HTML elements to provide dynamic behaviors. Some common HX-attributes include:

hx-get: To issue a GET request to a URL.

hx-post: To issue a POST request to a URL.

hx-put, hx-patch, and hx-delete: To issue PUT, PATCH, or DELETE requests respectively.

hx-trigger: Specifies the event that will trigger the request.

hx-target: Specifies where to place the content of the response.

Partial Updates: HTMX can update just a portion of the page without a full page reload, making it suitable for creating Single Page Application (SPA) behaviors.

Transitions: When content is updated, HTMX allows for smooth transitions, making the changes less jarring to the user.

Extensible: You can add custom behaviors and events as needed.

WebSocket & SSE: HTMX also supports WebSockets and Server-Sent Events for real-time data updates.