:wave: I know that the Kobweb approach is to use Compose HTML. But, as a native mobile dev, I’m not ...

# kobweb

[Nacho Ruiz Martin]

👋
I know that the Kobweb approach is to use Compose HTML. But, as a native mobile dev, I’m not knowledgeable in HTML and CSS. Are there any plans in the future to support Compose Multiplatform?
I’d really like to take advantage of Kobweb features like routing, live reloading, server api routes… but I’d also like to share components with my mobile apps (same design system) and not use HTML.
Would it be possible to use those features without using the UI part?

[Ryan Scott]

I'm also pretty new to this. So please someone correct me if I'm wrong about this, but if you're looking for shared code between Android, iOS, and web, then you might look into compose for web (web assembly).


You may want to view this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7FJlw84rZw▾

Why would you want compose HTML? Well . . . I believe that's covered here in the "Why Kobweb" section: https://kobweb.varabyte.com/

You're not going to be able to get all of this with Compose Web (at least not presently). Therefore, my strategy is to use Kobweb for something that I would make a static site for (that I want search engines to find) and Compose Web for applications that have shared code with my android, iOS, and desktop apps.

But like I said, I'm new to this. I'd be happy to hear from someone else with a greater depth of knowledge.

[Nacho Ruiz Martin]

Thanks for that Ryan!
Yes, indeed, I’m using Compose for web 🙂
I want all the tools Kobweb brings, but using Compose Multiplaform instead of Compose HTML.

[Ryan Scott]

Yah--I'm not sure that exists yet.

[Ryan Scott]

I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

[Ryan Scott]

In any case, I just started with Kobweb, and I'm about to release my first site. It's a pretty fun experience. You just need to get a little bit over the learning curve of styling based upon CSS and such. But the fact that I get to use Compose, coroutines, and a bunch of multiplatform libraries that I'm used to using is more than enough of a draw for me to get over that learning curve.

[Nacho Ruiz Martin]

Oh, yeah, that would be great. And I plan to explore it, indeed. I just wanted to ask for this just in case 😊 .

[Ryan Scott]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to advertise here, but this tutorial course helped me: https://stevdza-san.com/courses/build-a-complete-website-with-kotlin-and-jetpack-compose

[Nacho Ruiz Martin]

Saw that one, yeah, thanks! 🙂

[Ryan Scott]

(It's not my course, but I thought it was really helpful)

[Ryan Scott]

The version of kobweb used is a little old.

[David Herman]

I did a talk at Droidcon about a month ago, which isn't published yet as far as I know, but I'll post it in this channel when it is. I talk a decent bit about the Compose HTML / CMP for Web split there.

But yeah, Kobweb is intentionally all in on Compose HTML (and, by extension, embracing the underlying web ecosystem).

I wrote a little more about it here: https://github.com/varabyte/kobweb#what-about-compose-multiplatform-for-web

The kobweb CLI definitely has some nice aspects that probably could apply to CMP for Web as well, but I certainly don't have time to think about it! It's liberally open sourced though so the JB folks are welcome to fork it / be inspired by it.

[David Herman]

Stevdza-san's tutorials at the moment are the best out there, and most of the things it teaches still hold true despite its age. Hopefully in the next year we'll start releasing official tutorial videos as well.

[Ryan Scott]

Thanks, @David Herman I've mostly found the existing documentation lacking in detail, specificity, and examples. However, I wouldn't describe the framework as unapproachable. In over 10 years experience as an engineer, I've worked with way much less approachable frameworks.

Are you interested in any help creating the tutorials?

[David Herman]

We're definitely understaffed. I am always open for help! I'll send you a DM shortly with my information, but I want to make sure that you don't feel any pressure!

[Ryan Scott]

Sure--lets continue this in a DM.