Behind the Code: Jordan Harband on JavaScript Evolution, Enterprise Innovation, and Strategic Air Duster Application
Insights from Jordan Harband on JavaScript’s Growth and the Unsung Heroes of Enterprise Development

In the premiere episode of Everyday <Heroes/>, we sit down with Jordan Harband, our Principal Open Source Architect and TC39 committee member, to explore the intersection of enterprise software maintenance and open source innovation.
The JavaScript Journey
With over 500 open source projects under his maintenance, Harband brings a unique perspective to the evolving landscape of JavaScript and enterprise software development. His journey from teaching Excel to teachers in eighth grade to serving on TC39 illustrates the organic evolution of technical expertise in the modern development ecosystem.
"I basically got invited to attend as an observer for one of the meetings," Harband recalls about his TC39 beginnings. "And almost immediately I was asked for my opinion on something and was able to make a meaningful change in the standard." That change? A significant performance improvement to Object.assign that continues to impact JavaScript performance today.
The Enterprise Innovation Paradox
One of the most compelling discussions centers on what Harband calls the "sweeper" role in technology companies - those versatile developers who float between projects, solving problems and bridging gaps. It's a position that, while crucial for innovation and stability, often challenges traditional corporate metrics.
"Every company I've ever been at has people that do those roles in various teams," Harband explains, "and every company dearly, desperately needs those roles, but almost none of them actually recognize and support and reward those roles."
Technical Leadership in Practice
Throughout the episode, Harband shares insights on:
- The evolution of JavaScript standards and their impact on enterprise development
- Strategic approaches to maintaining multiple open source projects
- The intersection of accessibility and user interface design
- Practical debugging techniques (including the now-infamous air duster methodology)
The Future of Enterprise Software Maintenance
As organizations continue to grapple with end-of-life software maintenance and security compliance, Harband's perspective on the relationship between open source development and enterprise solutions offers valuable insights for technology leaders.
"The most important things to learn aren't technical," Harband advises newer developers. "They're personal and interpersonal." This philosophy underlies much of his approach to both open source maintenance and enterprise software development.
Looking Forward
The episode concludes with a discussion of upcoming challenges in the JavaScript ecosystem and the evolving landscape of enterprise software maintenance. Through games like "Fork, Star, or Deprecate," we explore Harband's perspectives on emerging technologies and development practices, offering listeners both entertainment and actionable insights.
This premiere episode sets the stage for future discussions about the intersection of open source development and enterprise software maintenance, highlighting the human elements that drive technical innovation.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about:
- TC39's impact on enterprise JavaScript development
- Strategic approaches to technical debt management
- The role of open source in enterprise software security
- And yes, the definitive resolution to the tabs versus spaces debate
Everyday <Heroes/> is a HeroDevs production, exploring the stories and insights of the people who keep enterprise software secure and sustainable. New episodes release weekly.
