How To Use Electron To Build Multi-Platform Desktop Applications?

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Table of Contents ●

1) Why Electron.js

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2) An in-depth description

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3) The advantages of Electron

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1. Accessibility

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2. Security

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3. Management simplification

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4. Performance standards

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5. Availability of several APIs

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6. Code reusability

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7. Cost reduction

4) The disadvantages of Electron ○

1. Size

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2. Resource-hogging

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3. Requirement specificity

5) Recognized apps ○

1. Ghost

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2. WordPress

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3. Pexels

6) Conclusive statements

Introduction At the moment, Electron is one of the best frameworks that you can use to build applications for desktop devices powered by macOS, Windows, or Linux.

Numerous rumours have been floating around about how building applications for desktop devices has become irrelevant. It’s not true, though. Electron.js can provide an excellent approach to developing software programs for desktop computers running on Windows, Linux, or macOS. No matter how many software engineers you speak to, everyone will say the same thing – Electron.js is perfect for Windows app development. If you wish to know why they sing praises in the name of Electron, you should continue reading. This topic will elucidate everything that hides behind this particular web technology.

Why Electron.js You don’t require special skills or SDK to use Electron, which is one of the best things about it. Naturally, a dedicated developers team can leverage the ease-of-use factor to build applications for desktop devices.

It also employs design, domain logic, and the overall architecture of web applications. As a result, it reduces the app development expenses of building multi-platform solutions.

Additionally, this framework gets powered by a Chromium engine. That’s why it’s easy to implement the best functions of Chrome. The engine can reload itself, which means you won’t have to restart the piece of software whenever you modify the code.

It facilitates instant optimization and reloading of the experience as a whole. Furthermore, the built-in tools of Chrome allow developers to detect instances of memory losses and errors. To put it simply, you won’t have to bring in a third-party debugger.

Programmers specializing in JavaScript are aware of the specific of Electron, how it works, and the kind of technologies they need to use to implement third-party APIs. So, if you hire developers with expertise in JavaScript, you must ensure they’re equally proficient in AngularJS, HTML5, ReactJS, and CSS3.

If possible, you should also look for people with experience in MongoDB, SQL, and REST or GraphQL.

An in-depth description Electron is primarily a web-based framework that allows programmers to create cross-platform apps using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. It does so by submitting feature-rich APIs of JavaScript that can manage the specifics of conversing with several operating systems.

Applications created using Electron work just like every other web application. There is a difference, though.

Electron-based apps can interpret and store info in the data processing system’s file.

Experienced, as well as new programmers, include Electron in their toolbox because it increases the rate at which they develop applications. The electron has already filled the gap between the need for modern applications and a handy tool for the same. This particular form of technology brought forth grace in the overall sphere of developing desktop software.

The advantages of Electron If you continue reading, you’ll learn why applications created using Electron are worth the attention they get.

1. Accessibility Electron provides software engineers free management, apart from the opportunity of using hardware-level APIs. This framework is flexible when it comes to features. Understandably, it lets developers select the required functions for the desktop projects they need to work on. Furthermore, it’s easy to transfer applications to this technology.

2. Security If you need to transform a native application into a hybrid application, you can use Electron to do it. As the information remains within the system at a local level, you don’t have to worry about data security. Conversely, if a user wishes to retain information in the cloud, the programmer has to ensure that the cloud system is secure enough.

3. Management simplification Clients will never run into problems when conveying the requirements of their projects to development teams. After all, cross-platform apps work on all platforms. Developers won’t have to conduct too many tests to ensure every app for every platform has the same features.

The work takes place in a different codebase, which gives QA engineers enough time to fix issues hiding within the said application.

In the end, the development time decreases significantly.

4. Performance standards In specific instances, cross-platform solutions developed using Electron demonstrate incredible performance. Native apps fail to deliver such a level of performance. However, it depends on the following factors. ●

The number of components the desktop uses

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Whether the machine loads only the required elements

5. Availability of several APIs In terms of custom software development as per business needs, you probably want to know what kind of features you should implement to achieve success. Well, you won’t have to bother with it as long as you choose to use Electron.js. It possesses a massive collection of APIs you can utilize for enriching your product. These APIs can decrease the amount of development time.

Squirrel, for instance, supports several libraries and tools that can assist in the development of installers and integrate auto-update functionality.

6. Code reusability As Electron works on just one codebase, software developers can utilize this advantage to create applications for desktop devices and the web. Apart from that, developers can reuse the base code to build applications and distribute the same among different platforms.

7. Cost reduction When you choose to build cross-platform applications instead of native ones, you’ll reduce your expenses significantly.

Also, if you consider investing in more projects, developers will be able to complete their tasks faster.

The disadvantages of Electron If something is beneficial in multiple ways, it’ll be disadvantageous in other ways.

1. Size You’ll need the Chromium browser to be able to use Electron. The problem with this browser is that it’s a huge piece of software with innumerable lines of code. As a result, your app will turn into a big block that’ll consume a lot of space in your hard drive.

This issue doesn’t exist in modern computers as they have more than enough storage space.

Also Read: How To Find A Dedicated Developers Team For A Startup & Company?

2. Resource-hogging Other than operative memory, digital products built using Electron can occupy the system reserves. If you use a laptop, it’ll drain the battery within a short while. It happens because developers optimize these applications for various platforms. Naturally, they aren’t energy efficient.

3. Requirement specificity This one is all about the requirements of the clients. In the best-case scenario, every cross-platform application should operate identically on every operating system. Then again, if a client wants to include unique features for every platform, it’ll lead to difficulties associated with product development.

First of all, it’ll take a lot of time to realize the features. Secondly, if it takes too long to create an app, it’ll contribute to expenses. WhatsApp and Slack are two of the most widely used applications built using Electron.

Recognized apps If you don’t know about any app created using Electron, the following names might surprise you.

1. Ghost This one is a tool for content marketing purposes. You can use it to create, manage, and run different web applications. The desktop app of Ghost allows authors to manage various materials online at the same time while concentrating on their workflows.

2. WordPress WordPress is a software program used to publish something on the internet. Business owners often use it to create, edit and manage content published on their website. Users don’t have to be proficient in coding to use this program.

Previously, everyone had to launch WordPress through web browsers. Then, the creators of WordPress decided to launch a cross-platform app that’ll work on desktop devices powered by Windows, Linux, or macOS.

3. Pexels This application is a goldmine for creative individuals. It has an incredible array of photographs. Due to Electron, users of Pexels don’t have to download the images. They can simply copy the pictures in their clipboard with just one click. Later, they can use these photos on any app or employ them as stock photos for digital marketing purposes.

Conclusive statements

If you’re thinking about cross-platform applications for desktop computers, and if you expect them to work on machines powered by Windows, macOS, or Linux, you should consider using Electron.js Additionally, Electron stands out from the rest as a profound technology for the web. It’s extremely easy to convert applications fabricated using this framework into web applications whenever necessary.