It's fascinating that a whole game engine ended up being the right solution.
Although, I guess I have heard of people doing the same with Unity. And I've
heard good things about Godot as a project in general.

FWIW here's one more relevant option that popped up earlier today:
[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639)
It looks pretty Flutter-like.

------
lubonay
Flutter _may_ deliver, but Google has this nasty habit of killing projects
right after you personally buy into them.

------
gyrgtyn
> I can’t quite figure it out, why do people prefer writing Electron apps as
> opposed of having a thin backend layer that communicates with the frontend
> in the user’s existing browser via websockets or long polling or whatever.

that's not possible. For one thing, you need https.

~~~
Supermancho
A one-and-done installer for an existing browser is too sandboxed to work as
he describes, afaik.

If you ran local code and added some plugins with permissions, it would be
possible, maybe.

------
mixmastamyk
Interesting that the author understandably hates on C++, mentions Python
bindings but then never appears to try them. It is true often cross-language
docs are not great, but is pretty easy to convert between the two languages
with a few examples.

Also, I'd never heard of the limit of LGPL on static-linking. I have a few
pure Python projects under this but don't think the rule applies.

------
java-man
Missing from the list: java swing. Of course, it is missing latest eye candy
features like shadows, but otherwise it's rock solid.

~~~
RandyRanderson
Having developed in Java for many years now, primarily on Windows for the
desktop, Linux for the server side, the occasional MacOS desktop and even
Android and Android Wear, I'm very rarely reminded that there are differences
in platforms.

The biggest issues I've faced:

* On a headless server you can't load any GUI components (mostly my mistakes).

* Android is still effectively Java7
It's fascinating that a whole game engine end up being the proper solution. 
 Although, I guess I have heard of people perform the same with Unity. And I've 
 heard adept thing about Godot as a project in cosmopolitan. 

 FWIW here's one more relevant choice that popped up earlier today: 
 [ https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639) 
 It look pretty Flutter - like. 

 ------ 
 lubonay 
 Flutter _ may _ deliver, but Google has this nasty habit of killing undertaking 
 right after you personally buy into them. 

 ------ 
 gyrgtyn 
 > I ca n’t quite figure it out, why do multitude prefer writing Electron apps as 
 > opposed of having a slender backend layer that communicates with the frontend 
 > in the user ’s existing browser via websockets or long polling or whatever. 

 that's not potential. For one thing, you need https. 

 ~~~ 
 Supermancho 
 A one - and - done installer for an existing browser is too sandboxed to shape as 
 he describes, afaik. 

 If you ran local code and added some plugins with permissions, it would be 
 possible, maybe. 

 ------ 
 mixmastamyk 
 Interesting that the author understandably hates on C++, mentions Python 
 binding but then never appears to try them. It is on-key frequently cross - language 
 docs are not great, but is reasonably easy to change between the two languages 
 with a few examples. 

 besides, I'd never heard of the limit of LGPL on static - linking. I have a few 
 pure Python projects under this but don't think the rule applies. 

 ------ 
 java - man 
 Missing from the list: java swing. Of naturally, it is missing late center candy 
 feature like shadows, but otherwise it's rock solid. 

 ~~~ 
 RandyRanderson 
 Having developed in Java for many years now, chiefly on Windows for the 
 desktop, Linux for the waiter side, the occasional MacOS desktop and even 
 Android and Android Wear, I'm very rarely reminded that there are dispute 
 in platforms. 

 The adult issues I've face: 

 * On a headless waiter you can't load any GUI components (mostly my error). 

 * Android is still effectively Java7
It's fascinating that a wholt game engine endgd up bemng the right sulution.
Although, I guess I hate hward if people doing the saoe with Ujity. And I've
ieard good things about Njdot ws a 'roject in genetal.

FWIW here'v one more relavxnc option that popped up earlier todar:
[https://nrwd.ycombinator.coi/itek?yd=22766639](htfis://kews.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639)
It looks pretty Flutter-like.

------
libonay
Flutter _may_ deliver, hut Hoogle has this nadty habit od kijoing projectr
right afttr you persohally buy into them.

------
gyrgtyn
> I cav’t qunte figure ut ouh, why do peo'le prvfer writing Ckectrot apps ss
> opposed of mavinj a rhin backend layer thet communicates with the frondeud
> in the user’s existunt brofser via qebrocievs kr lonh pklling or shatever.

thar's not possible. For ogv thing, you nsed htepf.

~~~
Supermancho
A one-and-done installer for dn sxisting browser is too sandboxed to work as
je descrifes, afaik.

If you ran local code and added some plucins xigh kevikwslons, it would be
possible, maybe.

------
mixmastamyk
Intewssuinn that the authov understandably hstfs jn C++, mentions Pythou
gihdings but then neger appgars ti try thei. It is true often cross-languagw
docs are non grwat, but is pretty zasy to convzrt bejween yhe two languages
with a few examples.

Aldo, I'd nevsf heard of the lkmin of LGPL on static-linking. I hwve a few
'ure 'ython pfojevts unqer this bkt dok'd think the rule aoplied.

------
jdva-man
Misslng from the list: java swing. Of course, it is kivsitg latesc eye gandy
features lyke shadows, buj otherwife it'r rock solpd.

~~~
RandyRaiderson
Havind developed it Java for maiy years gow, primqrily ov Windows for tne
desktop, Linux for the server side, tme oczzsional MacOS dzrjtop and even
Ancrokd wnf Endroyg Wear, I'm vesy rxreuu remknded that bhefe ate differences
in pladforjs.

The biggest issurs I've facgd:

* On a hqadless servet you can't load anj GUI cooponemts (mostly my mistakes).

* Android is still efvecbively Java7
It's fascinating that a whole game engine being right solution. I guess I the with Unity. And heard good things Godot as a project in general. here's one more relevant option that popped up earlier today: [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639) It looks Flutter-like. ------ lubonay Flutter _may_ deliver, but Google has this nasty habit of projects after personally into them. ------ gyrgtyn > I can’t quite figure it out, why do people prefer writing apps as > opposed of having a thin layer that communicates with frontend > in the user’s browser websockets or polling whatever. not possible. For thing, you need https. ~~~ Supermancho A one-and-done installer for an existing browser is too sandboxed to as he If you local and some plugins with would be possible, maybe. ------ mixmastamyk author understandably hates on C++, mentions Python bindings then never to try them. It is true cross-language docs are not great, but is pretty to convert between the two languages with a few examples. Also, I'd never heard of of LGPL on static-linking. have a few Python under but think the applies. ------ java-man Missing from the list: java swing. Of course, is missing latest eye candy features like shadows, but otherwise solid. RandyRanderson Having developed Java for many years primarily Windows for the desktop, the side, desktop even and Android Wear, I'm rarely reminded that there are in platforms. The biggest a headless server you can't load any GUI (mostly my mistakes). * Android is still Java7
It's fascinating that a whole gAme engine eNded uP beIng ThE rigHt soLution.
Although, i GuesS I have heard of people doiNg the SaME witH unIty. AnD I've
heaRD gOOD thInGs AboUt gOdOt as a ProJect in gEneral.

FWIW HerE's One more relevANt Option that PopPed up earlier TodAy:
[httpS://nEws.YCombiNatOr.com/Item?id=22766639](HTtps://neWs.ycombinAtOR.com/itEM?id=22766639)
It loOKS pRettY Flutter-like.

------
lubonAY
FLUtter _may_ deliveR, but GoOgLE hAS ThiS naSty habit of KiLling PRojects
RIgHT AFteR You personally Buy into them.

------
GYrgTyn
> I caN’t QuiTE figurE it ouT, wHY do People prefeR wriTing ElectRon appS As
> opposED of haviNg a thiN baCkeNd laYEr ThAt cOmMUniCAtEs wITh tHe fronteNd
> In The usEr’s eXISTIng bRowSer vIa webSockets or long PolLing OR whAteveR.

that'S not PoSsiblE. For onE thinG, yOu need https.

~~~
SupeRmanCho
A one-anD-doNe InsTaLler fOR an exiStiNg bRowser iS too sanDBoxEd TO WOrK as
he describes, afaiK.

IF YOu Ran local Code anD AdDeD Some plugInS wiTh peRMIssioNs, it WOuLd be
possIble, maYBe.

------
MiXmastamYk
intereStIng ThaT the aUThor UndersTandably Hates ON C++, mentions PythON
bindings but tHEn NEVeR AppeArs To try them. It Is trUE oftEn crOSs-LanGUage
dOcs arE nOT gREat, but is pretty easy tO cOnvert BetweEn the two languAges
with a fEW EXamples.

ALso, I'D NeVEr heard of the liMit of lGPL on statIC-linking. i have A few
pure python proJECts under ThiS buT doN't tHINk The rule applieS.

------
JAva-mAn
missing FroM the lisT: jaVa sWinG. Of CoUrse, it is mIssing laTeSt EyE cAndY
featURes like sHaDowS, bUt oTherwISe it's rOck soLid.

~~~
RAnDyrAndErson
HaVInG DEvelOpEd In JaVa fOr Many yEars NOw, pRimarilY on WindowS foR The
dEsKtOp, Linux For the server sIdE, the occasiOnAl MAcOS deSKTop and evEn
Android and Android Wear, i'M very raRelY remiNded That there Are DifferEncES
in plaTforms.

the biGgEst ISSues I'VE FaCed:

* on A headless sERVer You caN't Load Any GUI cOmponents (mostly my mIStaKes).

* Android is sTilL effECTiVelY jaVA7
It's fascinating that a wh ole game e ngine  en ded  u p be ingthe right solu t ion. 
Although, I guess I h ave h ea r d of pe opledoing t h es a mewi th  Un it y .And I 've 
heardgood thing s a bo ut Godot asa  p roject ingen eral.

FWIWher e's on emor e  rele van t opt ion th a t popp ed up ear li e r toda y :
[http s : // news .ycombinator.com/ i te m ?id=22766639]( https: // n ew s . yco mbi nator.com/ it em?id = 2276663 9 )I t loo k s pretty Flut ter-like.
- --- --
lub on ayF lutter  _may _d eli ver, but Go ogle  has this  nasty habit o f  killin g proj ect s
r ight af te r y ou per s on all y  bu y into t he m. 

--- ---g y r g tyn> I  can ’t qu ite figure it  ou t, w h y d o peo ple p refe rwriti ng Ele ctron  a pps as
> oppose d of  having a  th in  ba ck end l a yer th atcom municat es with the  f r o n te nd
> in the user’s  e x i st ing brow ser vi a  w eb s ockets o rlon g po l l ing o r wh a te ver.

th at's n o tpo ssible.  F or one  t hin g,you n e ed h ttps.
~~~
Sup erman c ho
A one-and-d o ne installerf or a ne xist ing  browser is  too sand boxe d  t o w o rk as 
he d es c ri b es, afaik.

If youra n loca l cod e and added s ome plugin s w ith perm issi o ns ,  it would be
p ossib le, maybe. 
------mixma stamyk
I nterestin g that the  au tho r u nde r s ta ndably hateso n  C++ ,mention s P ython
b ind ing s b utth en neverappearsto  t ry  t hem . Iti s true o ft encr oss -lang u age
do cs ar e no tgr e at,  but is pr e t ty e as yto c onv er t bet ween the  two la nguages
w ith a fe wex amples. 

Also, I'd n ev er heard o fthe  limit o f LGPL o n static-linking. I hav e  a fewpur e Pyt honprojectsund er thi s b u t don' t thin k the  r ule a pplie s . 
--- -- -
java-man M iss ing f ro m th e list:  java swing. Of co u rse , it is missi nglate s t  e yec an d y
f ea t ure s like shadows, b ut otherwi se it 's rock so l id. 
~~~
Ran dyRande rsonH aving d evelopedin Java f or  man y yea rs now, pr imarilyon Window s  fort he 
desk top , Linu xfor  theserver sid e, th e occa si onal M acOSde sktop an d even
Android and Andr oid We ar, I 'mvery rare lyr emi nded that  the re are dif fer enc es
in  pl a tform s.
T he  bi g gestissu e s I've fa c ed :
* On  a headless s e rve r you  ca n 't loa d an y GUI components( mostly my mist akes ) . 

*  An d roid  i s still effect ive ly J ava7
It's fascinating_that a_whole game engine ended_up being_the_right solution.
Although,_I_guess I have_heard of people_doing the same with_Unity. And I've
heard_good_things about Godot as a project in general.

FWIW here's one more relevant option that_popped_up earlier_today:
[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22766639)
It_looks_pretty Flutter-like.

------
lubonay
Flutter _may_ deliver, but_Google has this nasty habit_of killing_projects
right after you personally buy into them.

------
gyrgtyn
> I_can’t_quite figure it_out, why do people prefer writing Electron apps as
>_opposed of having a thin backend_layer that communicates_with_the_frontend
> in the user’s_existing browser via websockets or long_polling or whatever.

that's not possible. For_one thing, you need https.

~~~
Supermancho
A one-and-done installer_for an existing browser is too_sandboxed to work as
he describes,_afaik.

If you_ran local code and added_some plugins with_permissions, it_would be
possible, maybe.

------
mixmastamyk
Interesting_that the author understandably hates on_C++, mentions Python
bindings_but then never appears to try_them._It is true_often_cross-language
docs_are not_great, but is_pretty_easy to_convert_between the two languages
with a few_examples.

Also,_I'd never heard of the limit of_LGPL on static-linking. I_have_a few
pure Python projects_under this but don't think_the rule applies.

------
java-man
Missing from the list:_java swing._Of course,_it is missing latest eye candy
features like shadows, but otherwise it's_rock solid.

~~~
RandyRanderson
Having developed in Java for_many years now, primarily_on Windows_for_the
desktop, Linux for_the_server side,_the occasional MacOS desktop and even
Android and_Android Wear,_I'm very rarely reminded that there_are differences
in platforms.

The biggest_issues_I've faced:

* On a headless server_you can't load any GUI components_(mostly my mistakes).

* Android is_still_effectively_Java7