In the world of software programming, one usually has no shortage of challenges. A particular can of worms, however, resides in a product known as Enlightenment Foundation Libraries, or as I like to call it, Eternally Frustrating Libraries (EFL). It's been under development for about 20 years, and oddly enough, finds scant usage outside my corporation.
A matrix of complex codes representing the convoluted EFL library
Despite its bona fide ambitions to challenge major players such as Qt or GTK, EFL is a complete nightmare for developers. Creating a window with a background, sounds simple right? Not with EFL. It involves a dreadfully convoluted process. And don't get me started on the poor documentation coupled with a conspicuous absence of community support.
Complex diagrams and flowcharts demonstrating daunting steps in creating a simple window using EFL
EFL's disdain for type safety leaves developers in a constant state of trial and error, it's like guessing the correct number of jellybeans in a jar, only less fun and without a prize. Instead of useful error messages, you'll receive ones that seem to have been written by a wise-cracking teenager. Let's just say, they're more sassy than insightful.
A frustrating coder in front of a screen filled with error messages
The way EFL handles user interface elements isn't exactly a walk in the park either. Ever tried positioning two buttons side by side, or even handling a button click? Armor yourself with patience as you'll need to navigate through an extensive maze of poorly documented 'smart callbacks' or decipher cryptic parameters.
Encyclopedic tomes stacked high, which might still not be enough to understand EFL
As if that wasn't enough, EFL's approach towards memory management is another testament of its love for non-convention. This leads to significant obscurity in debugging and application performance.
An illustration showing memory being mishandled by EFL
Yet, against all odds and logic, EFL forms the foundation for Tizen applications. It's like choosing to construct a sky-scraper on quicksand when bedrock is available. My deep dive into the dark abyss of EFL is a classic story replete with errors, frustration, and confusion. An example of how not to design software, EFL is trapped within a complex web of its own making.
A crumbling building representing Tizen applications built on the unstable foundation of EFL
If EFL wishes to stay relevant in the future, a thorough overhaul of its modus operandi is a must. Embedding standard programming practices and building a solid, navigable documentation can go a long way in capturing the confidence of developers. Until then, it remains Darth Vader's Lego Deathstar – impressively massive but frustratingly complex to put together.
An architect's drawing board representing the need for a fresh, user-friendly design approach for EFL