I Tried to Create HTML Alternative, Here's What Happened...
Tags: android, html, javascript, css
Published: 2020-11-12 17:39:33

Hi Folks!

Most of you are familiar with "reinvent the wheel" right?
You know... Re-create something that used by a lot of people, like HTML.

![Illustration of Reinvent the Wheel](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/o7tsxiruq41xc9gw51sr.png)
<figcaption>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toddle_email_newsletters/15596940251/in/photostream/">Alan O'Rourke</a></figcaption>

However, I ever wondered about [NASA reinventing wheel](https://www.nasa.gov/specials/wheels/) for transportation at moon and Rover the Mars robot.

![Picture of Rover the Mars Robot](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/3oq8n6mjnqe3ok3lknpc.jpg)
<figcaption>Source: NASA</figcaption>

In some cases, we have to create better alternative for specific purpose. If we remember back in time, Tim Berners-Lee created HTML as globally shareable linking **document**.

Fast-forward to current day, we still use HTML. Moreover, it's not only for sharing document, but online application!

We successfully bring app that used to be OS specific, into any modern devices. However, **HTML core concept is document** (like Microsoft Word) not UI layouting for apps. Thus, we have some drawbacks:
- We stuck on top-to-bottom direction concept. No constraint layout like Android XML layout.
- Thanks to CSS, we have `position: absolute;` and flexbox. However, CSS is mainly purposed for styling document not UI layout for app.
- Yes, we can put something like Material Design ([material.io](https://material.io/develop/web) provides CSS snippets). The question is: does CSS standard care about modern UI/UX design?

Please don't get me wrong. Assuming you understand Web and Android Development, try **build a login screen without logic** (javascript always easier btw) on both HTML+CSS and Android. Then tell me what you feel.

I'm an Android developer before. Since 2017, I learn myself to develop web-based application. At that time, I have no idea how the f*** I put a box exactly at the center.

![Simple HTML login screen, but everything are located at top-left corner](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/2tieittuu1569s38hn5k.png)

I've tried `text-align`, grid, and even flexbox causing HTML body to oversize so it's no longer exactly at center (I wish I knew `box-sizing` back then).

**The solution?** use `margin-top: 25%;` and `margin-left: 25%;` with width and height are 50%.

> Wait... Where is the "gravity"? Is this a joke?

Yeah I have no idea why CSS behaves like that back then. So I force myself to follow the flow, then get into realm of React and Vue, got a lot of fun with them. 

At April 2020, I have a lot of spare time and I have intention to bring the "Android way" of UI layouting for apps to web development world.

# So I decided to create [FIWL](https://thor-x86.github.io/fiwl-docs/docs/intro/what_is_fiwl)

![HTML and FIWL concept are different](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/cspfh4pqanc79sd24vqm.png)

It tooks 6 months to work with. I spent almost every night, sleepless, only for making my idealism to reality.

At August 2020, it barely usable for public. Even though essential components are not in shape yet, anyone can try the concept on their own computer.

## Then I share it to people at forums
**No one get interested.** Then what? well... I create a [video tutorial](https://youtu.be/AhWMm4X2g4I).

To gain more attention, I share it to some communities at Discord.

# Worse, everyone hate it.

These are what people said:

> - Don't be stupid, Thor.

> - Nobody want to start over again, it's not helpful by the way.

> - Lol it can't run minecraft

> - Imagine you did wrote thousands line of HTML CSS JS, will you ever re-write those again in different language? or at least API?

> - Enhance the wheel, don't reinvent it.

The last one hits me hard, **very hard**. I wasted my precious 6 months of coding for nobody.

Imagine if that time I spend with my friends to build helpful startup. I don't have to eat instant noodles every afternoon right now :(

# So what about FIWL now?

I rather leave it as spare time project. However, if you found it useful, please let me know so I can maintain it better.

Anyway, thanks for being here. I want to say something for you:
> Your time is more precious than any existing assets. Invest it in the best way, good luck!