The release of Electron platform 12.0.0 has been prepared, providing a standalone framework for developing cross-platform desktop applications using components from Chromium, V8, and Node.js. The significant change in the version number corresponds to the update to Chromium base code 89, Node.js platform 14.16, and JavaScript engine V8 8.9.
In the new release:
- A transition has been made to the new LTS branch of Node.js 14 (previously the 12.x branch was used).
- A new API webFrameMain has been added for accessing information about RenderFrame from the main process that runs in separate instances of WebContents. The webFrameMain API is equivalent to the webFrame API but can be used from the main process.
- The BrowserWindow API has been updated with methods BrowserWindow.isTabletMode() and win.setTopBrowserView(), as well as the webPreferences.preferredSizeMode parameter and the events system-context-menu, resized (Windows/macOS), and moved (Windows).
- By default, the contextIsolation and worldSafeExecuteJavaScript settings are enabled, providing additional isolation and security mechanisms when executing JavaScript.
- By default, the crashReporter.start({ compress }) setting is enabled. The deprecated crashReporter API has been removed.
- Access to non-object APIs is facilitated through the exposeInMainWorld method in contextBridge.
- The API for developing extensions has been updated with separate elements in the chrome.management API.
- The deprecated 'remote' module has been replaced with '@electron/remote'.
Let’s remember that Electron enables the creation of any graphical applications using web technologies, the logic of which is defined in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, while functionality can be extended through a plugin system. Developers have access to Node.js modules as well as an extended API for creating native dialogs, integrating applications, creating context menus, integrating with the notification output system, window manipulation, and interaction with Chromium subsystems.
Unlike web applications, Electron-based programs are delivered as self-contained executable files that are not browser-dependent. Additionally, developers do not need to worry about porting the application to different platforms; Electron provides the ability to build for all systems supported in Chromium. Electron also offers tools for automating the delivery and installation of updates (updates can be delivered either from a separate server, or directly from GitHub).
Notable applications built on the Electron platform include the Atom editor, Nylas and Mailspring email clients, GitKraken Git toolkit, WordPress Desktop blogging system, WebTorrent Desktop BitTorrent client, as well as official clients for services such as Skype, Signal, Slack, Basecamp, Twitch, Ghost, Wire, Wrike, Visual Studio Code, and Discord. A total of 1016 applications are listed in the Electron program catalog. To simplify the development of new applications, a set of standard demo applications has been prepared, including code examples for various tasks.
Source: opennet.ru
