YOU DON'T NEED CRDTS FOR COLLABORATIVE EXPERIENCES

Summary from the TLDR Web Dev newsletter

CRDTs (Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types) are commonly used for collaborative experiences, but are not necessary for them. They are essential in specific scenarios like offline-first applications and text editing, where they prevent overwriting and ensure accurate character placement. However, CRDTs have downsides, such as ever-growing state, complex implementations, and opaque data storage. Instead of CRDTs, collaborative applications, like spreadsheets, presentation tools, form builders, and more, can benefit from contextual information, locking mechanisms for safety, small-scale updates, and real-time updates distribution. This approach allows for effective real-time collaboration without the complexities of CRDTs.