Don't Forget the Simple Stuff: The Easiest Way of Making a Dropdown is PURE HTML

We all love our frameworks—React, Vue, Svelte—and rightfully so. They transform complex code into elegant components, manage intricate state, and provide tools for rapid large-scale app development.

However, our enthusiasm for npm install sometimes overshadows the fundamentals: HTML and plain JavaScript can handle a surprising amount of everyday tasks.

A Simple Dropdown Example

Many developers believe interactive components like dropdowns require UI libraries such as Bootstrap or Shadcn, or necessitate custom React components with props, states, and mini state machines.

But a native HTML solution exists: <details> and <summary>. This single tag handles toggling, display, and accessibility—no framework or JavaScript needed!

See how easy it is using just HTML <summary> and <details> with minimal styling:

Get the code here:

https://www.php.cn/link/f416d0fbce436dde50730df3a12bba3b
(Feel free to modify it!)

<div>
  <h2>Here's how I created it</h2>
  <p>I used Frontend AI and requested a dropdown.<br><img alt="Frontend AI Dropdown Result" height="244" loading="lazy" src="/uploads/20250127/1737988319679798dfc17da.jpg" width="800"></img></p>
  <p>The results were generated instantly.</p>
  <p>This isn't about abandoning frameworks.</p>
  <p>Frameworks enhance maintainability in large applications and standardize architectural patterns.</p>
  <p>But before reaching for your preferred library, consider: Is there a simpler, built-in alternative?</p>
  <p>Frontend AI is a great tool for this check. If a simpler approach exists, it will quickly identify it.  Here's the link if you'd like to try it.</p>
  <p>Combining appropriate HTML elements and perhaps a touch of Vanilla JavaScript can often result in faster, smaller, and equally polished code.</p>
  <p><strong>And reduced reliance on third-party libraries.</strong></p>
  <h3>Bottom line</h3>
  <p>Frameworks are fantastic, but sometimes the extra overhead is unnecessary. Prioritize the power of web standards—you might be surprised at their capabilities!!</p>
  <p><strong>What have you built with simple HTML and JavaScript that others require libraries for?</strong></p>
</div>

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