Company
Date Published
Author
Guillaume St-Pierre
Word count
3752
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Exploring the unconventional use of the Nix package manager for web application development, the text details a journey from beginner programming concepts to a full-fledged web app using Nix. Although primarily a package manager and build system, Nix's functional programming capabilities allow for creative applications, such as serving web content. The process begins with a basic "Hello, World!" setup and evolves to include a custom router and a simple API for managing data, utilizing a Python web server to execute Nix code. The narrative highlights the challenges faced, like Nix's inherent slowness and lack of suitability for web development, while also illustrating the potential for learning and innovation. The project culminates in a basic TODO application, showcasing the integration of static content and dynamic API interaction via a framework-less web component. Despite its limitations, the experiment demonstrates Nix's simplicity and the educational value of pushing its boundaries in non-traditional ways.