Firstly, it's Brian not Ben. we live on opposite ends of the globe but share a common ideology.
So what a simple question with so many deep connotations. It has triggered a thought process which may not have normally surfaced.
So here are my top 10
Technical
Firstly yes, it was the TMR post above which created the initial idea/ use case
Once the original formatter was produced i was unhappy with the way it handled sub domains as the standard URL properties does not cater for that. I was also aware that the URL object had so much more which could be easily exposed.
I discovered the psl npm which managed sub domains as i wanted so added that.
having done that i decided there was no benefit in not exposing all the available properties so hence the extension.
At many times i have needed to "split" URLs to extract parts such as when doing dynamic SEO so this provides a comprehensive solution
But also so much more behind that "why" on a personal level, why even if no strong real use case
I am now 100% retired and have no need or desire to work but need to keep my mind active
I love coding/ Wappler but can't be bothered with whinging customers (and let's face it even the best do). Life is too short ( a fact brought home to me due to a recent cancer scare 18 months ago)
I have had a few forum members ask if i could do a tutorial on building custom extensions. To do that i need to understand the subject. I learn by doing, so the current extensions I am publishing are a side product of that learning.
I have a very low boredom threshold, i need to keep my mind active. Watching daytime TV or stamp collecting are not options i relish. I constantly scan the forum for new ideas and projects to fill my time.
Lastly, i guess i am making the most of my Wappler subscription, now I am retired, i need to consider if I am going to renew when my only use case (to use your term) is to provide free support, tutorials and extensions. Undecided at present
So that is the use case and associated why.
Writing that was actually quite cathartic, it allowed me to gather my thoughts about where i am now and going forward so thanks for your question @karh even if it prompted far more of a response than you expected.