So you want to write an "app" (2025)
4 days ago
- #native-gui
- #app-development
- #platform-comparison
- The author explores various platforms for native app development, avoiding web technologies like Electron.
- A simple dice-rolling app is developed to test platform-specific tooling and UI building.
- Platforms tested include Standard C, C/POSIX, GTK/GNOME, Qt/KDE, WinUI 3, SwiftUI, and Jetpack Compose.
- Each platform is critiqued with a sarcastic one-liner, highlighting its unique drawbacks.
- Standard C is praised for its longevity and cross-platform compatibility.
- C/POSIX is criticized for its outdated standards and lack of modern features.
- GTK/GNOME is noted for its potential but suffers from poor documentation and integration issues.
- Qt/KDE is appreciated for its practicality but hampered by CMake complexities.
- WinUI 3 is described as functional but clunky and slow, typical of Microsoft's ecosystem.
- SwiftUI is fun and well-documented but restrictive and tied to Apple's walled garden.
- Jetpack Compose is deemed unpolished and frustrating, reflecting Google's monopolistic approach.
- The author concludes with a preference for Qt, despite its flaws, for cross-platform development.