Can I skip installing Docker etc?

I want to create a simple block, but all guides on to how to create a block says that I first have to install the npm WordPress enviroment which includes Docker. Docker is huge and resource hungry, and I already have localhost (using Linux) to test stuff with, why is Docker a prerequisite?

If I create a shortcode, I can just write some php and test if it works. Why can’t I just write some lines of code for the block that does what I need and test if it works? Is there a way to create blocks the same way?