NW.js
NW.js (formerly node-webkit) is an open source framework for creating desktop applications with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It enables developers to call Node.js modules directly from the DOM and enables desktop applications to integrate web technologies.
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javascript
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desktop-apps
NW.js (formerly node-webkit)
NW.js (formerly node-webkit) is an open source framework for creating desktop applications with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It enables developers to call Node.js modules directly from the DOM and enables desktop applications to integrate web technologies.
What is NW.js?
NW.js (formerly node-webkit) is an open source framework for creating desktop applications using web technologies. It lets developers build desktop applications using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The framework bundles Chromium and Node.js into a single runtime so you can call Node.js modules directly from the DOM and enable native desktop capabilities in web apps.
Some key features and advantages of NW.js include:
- Lets you build desktop apps with web technologies like HTML/CSS/JS
- Access to Node.js core modules for backend capabilities
- Support for native GUI desktop features like file system access, tray icons etc.
- Fast and efficient - uses Chromium's V8 JS engine and node's event-driven paradigm
- Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Open source and backed by an active community
NW.js can be used to build a wide range of desktop applications - from simple task utilities to complex data-driven business apps. It bridges web technologies and native desktop development for faster, portable app development. The learning curve for web developers is low since entire apps can be written using familiar standards.
NW.js Features
Features
- Lets you build desktop apps using web technologies like HTML, CSS and JavaScript
- Integrates Node.js into apps allowing access to system resources
- Supports creating apps for Windows, macOS and Linux from a single codebase
- Uses Chromium and Node.js as runtime environments
- Has a small footprint compared to Electron
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Familiar web development skills can be used
Good performance due to lightweight runtimes
Active open source community support
Integration of Node.js modules provides power and flexibility
Cross-platform support from single codebase
Cons
Less out-of-box functionality compared to solutions like Electron
Less active development and momentum than Electron
More involved to package and distribute apps
Limited debugging and developer tools support
Smaller ecosystem of plugins and extensions
Official Links
The Best NW.js Alternatives
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