What is smalltalk.mdx?

smalltalk.mdx is a file that mixes regular Markdown text with special code blocks written in the Smalltalk programming language, and it can also contain JSX (a JavaScript syntax for building UI components). The “.mdx” extension tells a static‑site generator (like Docusaurus or Next.js) that the file should be processed as Markdown that can also run React components. In practice, a smalltalk.mdx file is used to create web pages that explain Smalltalk concepts while allowing live code examples or interactive widgets.

Let's break it down

  • .mdx - the file extension; it means “Markdown + JSX”.
  • Markdown part - plain‑text headings, paragraphs, lists, images, etc., written in the simple Markdown syntax.
  • Smalltalk code blocks - fenced sections that start with smalltalk and contain Smalltalk source code.
  • JSX/React components - optional snippets that start with <ComponentName /> and let you embed interactive UI elements directly in the page. When the site builds, the Markdown is turned into HTML, the JSX is compiled into React, and the Smalltalk blocks can be highlighted or even executed with a Smalltalk playground.

Why does it matter?

  • Easy learning - beginners can read explanations and see real Smalltalk code side by side.
  • Interactive docs - you can embed a Smalltalk REPL or visual demo, so readers can try code without leaving the page.
  • Single source - one file holds both the narrative and the code, reducing duplication and keeping documentation in sync with the actual examples.
  • Version control friendly - because it’s plain text, changes are trackable in Git, making collaboration simple.

Where is it used?

  • Official Smalltalk language documentation sites that want rich, interactive tutorials.
  • Open‑source projects that provide “how‑to” guides for libraries written in Smalltalk.
  • Technical blogs that want to showcase Smalltalk snippets with syntax highlighting.
  • Educational platforms that build course material for programming students, using MDX to combine lessons and live code.

Good things about it

  • Readable - Markdown is easy to write and understand, even for non‑programmers.
  • Reusable components - JSX lets you create buttons, sliders, or a Smalltalk REPL once and drop them into many pages.
  • Syntax highlighting - most MDX processors support language‑specific highlighting, making Smalltalk code clear.
  • Searchable - because the content is plain text, site search engines can index both the prose and the code.
  • Consistent styling - a single theme can style all MDX pages, giving a uniform look across the documentation.

Not-so-good things

  • Build step required - you need a Node.js environment and a bundler (like webpack) to compile MDX into a website, which adds setup complexity.
  • Learning curve - beginners must learn three syntaxes (Markdown, JSX, and Smalltalk) to edit the file fully.
  • Limited IDE support - many code editors don’t provide full autocomplete or linting for Smalltalk inside MDX files.
  • Performance overhead - embedding many interactive components can slow down page load times if not optimized.
  • Tooling dependency - if the MDX processor or React version changes, you may need to update the configuration, which can break existing pages.