Can you have a JS backend?

[trymeouteh]

Is it possible not use Rust at all and write all the back end code for the app in JavaScript? I know NodeJS, Deno or Bun is not included in Tauri but Tauri does use HTML, CSS and JavaScript and does include JS APIs to access things like the file system.

Is it possible to simply include JS script to the HTML file which will be the back end code for the app?

[FabianLars]

Is it possible to simply include JS script to the HTML file which will be the back end code for the app?

Hmm, somewhat yes? But as you said, there's no nodejs etc so all your JS will be subject to the browser sandbox, so it only works if the sandbox is no problem, or if tauri's extra Apis fulfill your needs.

[trymeouteh]

What would be the limitations of using browser sandbox JS with the Tauri extras APIs compared to having NodeJS?

[FabianLars]

Well, Tauri's apis don't cover all of the available nodejs apis, and npm packages that rely on nodejs could also not be used. I really can't tell you whether this will be a problem or not for you.

[sp90]

I havn't written the code for it or tested if it's possible but it's purely an idea - wouldn't you be able to spawn a "node/bun/deno" instance then make a IPC reverse proxy kinda thing

So calling to and from your javascript instance would go browser -> tauri -> js/ts env and responses js/ts env -> tauri -> browser

One thing could be the perf overhead i dont know how much it would cost to "rev proxy those messages"

[sp90]

Well with my approach you don't leave it up to tauri its purely gonna happen in your spawned javascript instance

Its purely messages back and forth

[diliprk]

Can you kindly share your approach with using JS as a backend for Tauri?

Off topic, but do you think that https://deno.com/blog/deno-compile-executable-programs could be an alternative to tauri + Rust?

[PxlSyl]

Hi @diliprk , you can use a sidecar or a thread worker, with the rust code calling the node.js part, IDK if it's clear for you but this is working for me (with json args) and IDK your goal and setup so I can't tell if it will feet your needs

[diliprk]

Will this sidecar (nodeJS exe backend) load up in the windows taskbar as a new application in another window or will it run silently as a background process?

[PxlSyl]

Will this sidecar (nodeJS exe backend) load up in the windows taskbar as a new application in another window or will it run silently as a background process?

Hi, it's a background process, and if it's some kind of complex node js code, you can set it up to send progress events that will trigger components in the UI/frontend part