Electron (software framework)

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Electron (formerly known as Atom Shell[3]) is an open-source framework developed by GitHub.[4] It allows for the development of desktop GUI applications using the Node.js runtime and the Chromium web browser, originally used for the development of backend web applications. Electron is the main framework behind two notable open-source source code editors: GitHub's Atom,[5] and Microsoft's Visual Studio Code.[6]

Electron
Developer(s)GitHub
Initial release15 July 2013; 12 years ago (2013-07-15)[1]
Stable release
1.4.15 / 19 January 2017; 8 years ago (2017-01-19)[2]
Repository
Written inC++ and JavaScript
Operating systemWindows, Linux and macOS
Platformx86, x64, ARM
LicenseMIT License
Websitewww.electronjs.org Edit this on Wikidata

A basic Electron app consists of three files: package.json (metadata), main.js (code) and index.html (graphical user interface). The framework is provided by the Electron executable file (electron.exe in Windows, electron.app on macOS and electron on Linux). Developers wishing to add branding and custom icon can rename and/or edit the Electron executable file.

History

  • 11 April in 2013 Electron was started as Atom Shell on 11 April 2013.[7]
  • On 6 May 2014, Atom and Atom Shell became open-source with MIT license.[8]
  • Atom Shell was renamed to Electron on 17 April 2015.[9]
  • On 11 May 2016, Electron reached version 1.0.[10]
  • In May 2016, Electron allowed submitting packaged apps to the Mac App Store.[11]
  • In August 2016, Window Store support for Electron apps was added.[12]

Structure of an electron application

The most important file in the electron program is package.json. It keeps information about package. The most common information in package.json are:

  • "name", the application name
  • "version", the application version string
  • "main", the name of the main script file of the application

package.json is an npm file.[13]

References

  1. ^ Earliest tagged release
  2. ^ "Release Notes". github.com. GitHub. 19 January 2017.
  3. ^ Sawicki, Kevin (23 April 2015). "Atom Shell is now Electron". Atom. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  4. ^ https://github.com/atom/electron
  5. ^ https://github.com/atom/atom
  6. ^ James, Mike (23 November 2015). "Visual Studio Code - Now With Added Extensions". I Programmer. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  7. ^ "Add submodules. · electron/electron@6ef8875". GitHub. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  8. ^ Sobo, Nathan (6 May 2014). "Atom Is Now Open Source". Atom Blog. Retrieved 19 March 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. ^ "Rename to electron by kevinsawicki · Pull Request #1389 · electron/electron". GitHub. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  10. ^ Lord, Jessica (11 May 2016). "Electron 1.0". Electron blog. Retrieved 19 March 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  11. ^ "Mac App Store Submission Guide". Electron Documentation. Retrieved 19 March 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  12. ^ "Windows Store Guide". Electron Documentation. Retrieved 19 March 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  13. ^ "package.json". npm Documentation. Retrieved 19 March 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)