Node.js/npm fort Apps/Games

Homer

Hello,

Since a while there is the node.js app which installs this server on the device.
However, I struggle to understand how to use this for apps.
For many of my webapps I need typescript packages which need to be served by a web server, for which I would need node.js for example.

Can anyone help me getting started with this? How can I use the installed node.js server from my apps? Do I have to install packages in node.js from the terminal or can I do this inside my app?

Many thanks for your support.

idonthatevests

@Homer said:
How can I use the installed node.js server from my apps?

I think for native apps you should add portable nodejs runtime to your package.

Do I have to install packages in node.js from the terminal or can I do this inside my app?

Probably first, unless you make an unconfined app

Homer

@idonthatevests that would include bundling the node.js package with my app and having a startup hook to start node.js when the app is launched?

idonthatevests

@Homer
right, and now it's probably the only valid way for confined apps

gpatel-fr

@Homer said:

need to be served by a web server, for which I would need node.js for example.

Preliminary remark: I know nil about your use case so I hope my question don't sound snarky or condescending.

I don't know why when you are searching for a web server, you say you need node.js.

Is there something special in node.js that you need rather using the web server that is already available in python3 installed by default on any UT version ?

Homer

@gpatel-fr my go-to approach for app development is Qml with python template with a qml webview component. The app UI and logic exists in html/css/JavaScript. The app I want to develop would download bank account data for display and data science on the phone. In Germany there is fints/HBCI interface, for which typescript libraries exist.
If I understood right, typescript libraries have to be served from a server, cannot just be statically linked local files.
Therefore, my approach would only work, if I am able to spin up a node.js server which serves the library.

Myother idea was 2D game development using pixI.js/hexI frameworks.

I don't know how to utilize the node.js from the app store for that and as far as I know, the qml python integration only calls python functions, does not support starting a python server process.

This is why I wanted to start a node.js in the background when my app starts and serve th javascript packages that the app requires.

gpatel-fr

@Homer said:

typescript libraries have to be served from a server, cannot just be statically linked local files.

phablet@ubuntu-phablet:~/myserver$ systemctl --user cat myserv
# /home/phablet/.config/systemd/user/myserv.service
[Unit]
Description=my http server
After=network.target

[Service]
WorkingDirectory=/home/phablet/myserver
ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 -m http.server
Type=simple

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Alias=myserver.service

systemctl --user daemon-reload
systemctl --user start myserv
then browse to http://localhost:8000