el VS prehistoric-simulation

Very cool! See also El, which is similarly sized, with an arguably more natural reactive interface: https://github.com/frameable/el

Nice writeup. We're working on a framework with similar goals, here: https://github.com/frameable/el

Reactivity, composability, templates, etc with no dependencies, in ~150 SLOC.

We built El[0] with the goal of making a minimal framework for building web apps. As a data point, it has a built-in observable store, reactive templates, scoped subset of scss, no dependencies, and can almost fit in a single network packet.

[0]: https://github.com/frameable/el

Stick to lightweight frameworks like Lit and El built on standard Web Components, and let the rest of the craziness come and go at whatever pace it wants.

We developed El to be as minimal as possible, while still solving the problem of keeping state and interface in sync:

https://github.com/frameable/el

It's just ~150 lines / 2kb, and leverages existing browser functionality to accomplish most of the hard parts. Has observability, reactive templates, scoped CSS, no need for a build process, etc.

Wouldn't say I got a lot better by writing small and medium sized personal hobby project, but it most definitely did get me confidence and satisfaction.

A cellular automata runner where you can define the rules and watch what happens: https://aperocky.com/cellular-automata/

Browse THIS website in terminal: https://github.com/Aperocky/hnterminal

A random simulation of prehistoric civilization and market: https://prehistoric.tech/

Every few months I get a bubbly idea and start some fun project, and they are usually small enough I get to finish them in a week or so, package them either on the web or pip/npm. It feels like a boost to occasionally boring work otherwise.

This is where tests come in, it helps tremendously at the end of the day to have a little check mark, proof that work is done, even if it is purely mental.

Anecdotally it also helps me pick projects up after years.

shameless plugs:

https://prehistoric.tech/

https://aperocky.com/cellular-automata/

Self promoting plug:

It still works fairly well on the relatively small scale if you just want to write a frontend app (i.e. simulations):

https://aperocky.com/cellular-automata

https://prehistoric.tech

Now that I think of it, I've created something that has a minimum level of correlation...

http://prehistoric.tech/

Though this one is more about society simulation then evolution, it does come with a command line for control.