Electron – Build cross-platform desktop apps with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS

electronjs.org

9 pointscapableweb2 comments

It's popular to hate on Electron because it makes apps "bloated." But honestly, this technology is nothing short of a miracle. It really lets developers write one application in common, everyday JS (or whatever frameworks you like) and deliver it on any desktop. The time savings from not having to learn or write for multiple targets is absolutely huge. As a developer, you just know your platform is going to work without making the user set it up. You can package other stuff like PostgreSQL or SBCL or anything else you want in your Electron app and ship it as a single installable -- without going through any app store or developer program. It's refreshing and remarkable.

On the subject of bloat and package size, neither of these matters to the user. Electron apps run fast enough for users on the hardware they have. Users care much more about ease of installation and ease of use -- which are the key deliverables when you use web technologies wrapped in Electron.

The fact that "users care more about ease of installation" is not a reason to completely disregard other factors, such as size, speed, security, integration. The truth is that using Electron is a shortcut for you, the developer, and Electron is bloated; it being good enough is just an excuse to take that shortcut.

Sometimes taking shortcuts is fine, your users might prefer additional features over performance and polish. But if you are a company the size of Slack, maybe you can afford not to take shortcuts or do those sacrifices while claiming it's "good enough".

"Good enough" is different from "good".

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