Why don't more developers "use the platform"?
2 hours ago
- Historical browser lag forced developers to build custom solutions instead of using platform APIs.
- Familiarity with npm ecosystem leads developers to reach for JavaScript libraries even when native APIs suffice.
- Documentation of platform APIs was scattered until MDN became the standard, making npm packages more accessible.
- Some developers find joy and learning in building custom components from scratch, despite platform alternatives.
- Ignorance of CSS and other platform features drives developers toward JavaScript workarounds.
- Experienced engineers can replace complex custom code with simple platform idioms, reducing maintenance burden.
- AI coding could either promote platform-native solutions or exacerbate over-engineered custom code.