alt Hacker NewsA C++ library could wrap DOM APIs (WebCC already does this), but achieving a fine-grained reactive model purely in library code involves major trade-offs
A dedicated compiler allows us to trace dependencies between state variables and DOM nodes at compile-time, generating direct imperative update code. To achieve similar ergonomics in a C++ library, you'd effectively have to rely on runtime tracking (like a distinct Signal graph or VDOM), which adds overhead.
Replies
bobajeff • today at 2:01 PM
I've been looking into UI libraries lately like Qt and Slint and wondered why they chose to create a DSL over just using css, html and a little bit of js. But I imagine C++ generation from a small DSL is easier than js.
Thanks! WebCC looks interesting. I like the attempt to be lean, but in the context of running an entire browser, my personal choice would be for a little runtime overhead vs a new language and toolset.
All the best with it!
P.S. It would also be interesting to see how far it's possible to go with constexpr etc.