Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance (github.com)

Article summary

Valdi is a cross-platform UI framework that allows developers to write UI once in declarative TypeScript and compiles directly to native views on iOS, Android, and macOS. It aims to deliver native performance without sacrificing developer velocity. Valdi has been used in Snap's production apps for 8 years and is now available as an open-source project. The framework provides features such as instant hot reload, full VSCode debugging, and flexible adoption models.

Main themes

• Cross-platform UI framework
• Native performance
• Developer velocity
• TypeScript
• Mobile app development
• Open-source project

What commenters say

• The decision to invest in a cross-platform UI framework like Valdi may not be justified for an app like Snapchat, which could have achieved similar results with native implementations.
• Valdi's ability to compile TypeScript to native code directly is a significant advantage over other frameworks like React Native.
• The trade-offs of using a compiler like Valdi's, such as increased binary size, may be worth it for the benefits of determinism and native performance.
• The use of cross-platform UI frameworks like Valdi may be less necessary in the era of large language models, which can potentially generate platform-specific code.
• Valdi's approach to compiling TypeScript to native code is innovative and could be useful outside of the Valdi framework itself.
• The success of Snap can be attributed to its attention to detail and pixel-perfect user experience, which may not be directly related to the use of a cross-platform UI framework.
• The technical challenges of working with cameras on Android devices may have justified the decision to use a screenshot of the camera preview instead of taking an actual photo.
• The availability of Valdi as an open-source project is a significant advantage for developers looking for a cross-platform UI framework with native performance.