Kelvin and Anthony discuss the Sails.js framework, Sailsconf 2023, and the broader JS ecosystem, including CLI tools, hosting, open source, and community building.
Episode Description
Kelvin and Anthony discuss the Sails.js framework, Sailsconf 2023, and the broader JS ecosystem, including CLI tools, hosting, open source, and community building.
Episode Summary
This discussion dives into the heart of the Sails.js framework and the vibrant community that has grown around it, centered on the upcoming Sailsconf 2023. Kelvin explains how Sails, inspired by Ruby on Rails, streamlines backend and full-stack development within the JavaScript ecosystem. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the global nature of modern web development, referencing the remote and online collaborations that have shaped their community. Various open source tools, deployment strategies, and frameworks also feature prominently, demonstrating just how extensive the JavaScript world has become. By highlighting personal experiences, key conference speakers, and the importance of strong developer connections, Kelvin and Anthony provide an in-depth look at how Sailsconf has evolved into a must-attend event for those seeking deeper engagement with backend JavaScript. Ultimately, the episode underscores the value of community-focused learning, practical tooling, and open source innovation in shaping the future of the web.
Chapters
00:00 - 05:00 | Introductions and Setting the Stage
In this opening segment, Anthony Campolo welcomes everyone to JavaScript Jam Weekly and introduces the main topic: Sailsconf 2023. Kelvin joins the discussion and talks about his background as a full-time JavaScript engineer from Nigeria, sharing how he discovered Sails several years ago. They highlight the unique nature of this framework as a Rails-inspired, backend-heavy solution for JavaScript developers, touching on its core features and long history. Kelvin explains how Sailsconf came to be, describing the first event in 2020 and how a global, online conference format allowed participation from a wide range of locations. By the end of these first five minutes, listeners get a clear sense of who is involved, what the conference covers, and the importance of fostering an inclusive JavaScript community that crosses borders and time zones.
05:01 - 10:00 | Sails Framework Overview and Community Roots
Here, Kelvin dives deeper into the Sails framework’s origins and capabilities. He discusses how Sails was influenced by Ruby on Rails, providing an opinionated yet flexible structure for Node.js developers looking to build robust applications. The conversation touches on the additional advantages of real-time features through built-in WebSockets, as well as the powerful Waterline ORM for database interactions. Kelvin shares personal stories on why these conventions and tools streamline development, emphasizing that Sails is both stable and open to contributions. He also highlights how the Sails community grew online, especially during the pandemic, enabling developers worldwide to learn, collaborate, and refine best practices together. By the end of this chapter, listeners gain a solid foundational understanding of Sails, its major strengths, and the supportive network that keeps it thriving.
10:01 - 15:00 | Building Full-Stack Apps with Vue, React, and More
During this interval, the conversation shifts toward practical implementation strategies and frontend integrations with Sails. Kelvin explains how he personally combines Sails with Vue.js, using Inertia to unify the backend and frontend in one codebase. He highlights how Sails’ conventions accommodate additional libraries and frameworks, allowing developers to tailor solutions to their preferences. The duo briefly touches on React and RedwoodJS, noting how these projects also attempt to fill the full-stack JavaScript space. They underscore the importance of consistent structure, clarity, and “batteries included” frameworks when facing large or complex builds. This segment provides valuable insight into how Sails can adapt to a variety of front-end stacks while still preserving robust backend functionality.
15:01 - 20:00 | Introducing Guest Speakers and CLI Adventures
In this chapter, a new voice joins the discussion—Donald (Loki)—who introduces himself and his upcoming talk on building cross-platform CLI applications. He shares how he is not strictly a Sails user but is an avid JavaScript developer with his own framework, Formidable JS, which also fits well into the broader ecosystem. Kelvin highlights the value of bringing diverse voices to Sailsconf, ensuring the event offers a wide range of JavaScript insights. They touch on productivity benefits of crafting custom CLI tools for everyday development tasks, capturing the spirit of open source collaboration. By the end, listeners learn how the conference lineup is designed to enrich knowledge far beyond the Sails framework alone.
20:01 - 25:00 | Spotlight on Sailsconf Talks and Highlights
Here, Kelvin and Anthony walk through some of the standout sessions featured in Sailsconf 2023. They tease keynote announcements by Mike McNeil, the creator of Sails, hinting at major news that could affect the framework’s future. The hosts mention additional talks from other industry figures—like how to build APIs using Platformatic or the intricacies of WebAssembly combined with JavaScript. The discussion underscores the importance of broadening the conference scope to draw from varied specializations. Participants can expect in-depth learning on topics including serverless Lambdas, real-time applications, and form management solutions. This mid-section shows how Sailsconf seeks to unite different facets of the JavaScript world under one cohesive event.
25:01 - 30:00 | Boring JavaScript Stack and Reassessing Complexity
In this five-minute stretch, Kelvin introduces his concept of the “Boring JavaScript Stack,” a collection of tried-and-true technologies that diminish complexity for many projects. He emphasizes the power of standard REST-based approaches for most real-world applications, while acknowledging that more specialized solutions like GraphQL exist. The conversation references the trade-offs developers face when adopting new paradigms, illustrating how Sails’ reliable, minimalistic approach helps teams focus on building features rather than grappling with endless tool choices. By invoking frameworks such as Laravel or Ruby on Rails, Kelvin demonstrates that Sails can still coexist with popular JavaScript frontends like Vue or React, suggesting a pragmatic balance between innovation and simplicity for maximum productivity.
30:01 - 35:00 | Hosting, Deployment, and Infrastructure Choices
This chapter explores the practicalities of deploying and hosting Sails applications, illustrating how developers can push their Node-based projects to popular services. They mention Heroku’s fading free tier and discuss alternatives such as Render, Railway, Edgio, and Fly.io, each with its pros and cons around Docker, global edge networks, or simpler “script-only” setups. Anthony describes how some platforms follow a containerized approach, while others offer a more serverless-like model for Node apps. By weighing the complexities of AWS, Docker, and multi-region deployment, they guide listeners toward choosing the right provider based on project scale and developer preferences. This segment is essential for anyone looking to manage their Sails app in production without overwhelming complexity.
35:01 - 40:00 | The Value of Global Communities and Conferences
During these minutes, Kelvin and Anthony return to the significance of global communities in open source development. Kelvin shares how JavaScript transcends borders, enabling him to form meaningful connections from Nigeria with collaborators worldwide. They discuss how local conferences and meetups feed into larger online events like Sailsconf, allowing for greater inclusivity. The conversation touches on synergy within developer ecosystems, referencing ongoing relationships formed at conferences as well as the wide reach of localized workshops. By underscoring the creative and collaborative spirit of these gatherings, they illustrate why face-to-face and virtual conferences alike remain vital for fostering lasting friendships and continual learning in tech.
40:01 - 45:00 | Balancing DevRel, Content, and Open Source Work
In this portion, Kelvin and Anthony reflect on the reality of juggling multiple responsibilities—software engineering, DevRel activities, and open source contributions. Kelvin describes his experience creating live streams, building tooling, writing articles, and maintaining the Sails community. Anthony notes that many developers today maintain a similar mix of roles, each requiring time and attention. They point out that open source is both rewarding and demanding, often taking a back seat when paid work or major events loom. This segment underscores the passion required to sustain valuable community projects and encourages listeners to find a balance that keeps creativity alive while managing practical workloads.
45:01 - 50:56 | Closing Thoughts, Next Steps, and Final Invitations
In the final chapter, the conversation winds down as Kelvin mentions both attending Sailsconf online and an in-person open source conference in Nigeria. They also reference the possibility of a future in-person Sailsconf, signaling the project’s ongoing evolution and commitment to community. Anthony extends invitations to collaborate further, whether by showcasing more aspects of the Sails ecosystem or exploring Kelvin’s work at Tracetrail (Trouble) for API observability. This culminating section offers multiple avenues to stay connected, from joining Discord to subscribing on YouTube for weekly JavaScript workshops. By the time the episode concludes, listeners have a well-rounded picture of Sailsconf 2023, the shared enthusiasm driving the framework’s growth, and the welcoming environment that awaits new contributors.