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Zeke Sikelianos 2016-11-04 11:28:59 -07:00
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This page defines some terminology that is commonly used in Electron development.
## ASAR
### ASAR
ASAR stands for Atom Shell Archive Format. An [asar][asar] archive is a simple
`tar`-like format that concatenates files into a single file. Electron can read
@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ arbitrary files from it without unpacking the whole file.
The ASAR format was created primarily to improve performance on Windows... TODO
## Brightray
### Brightray
Brightray is a static library that makes [libchromiumcontent] easier to use in
applications. It was created specifically for Electron, but can be used to
@ -19,17 +19,17 @@ enable Chromium's renderer in native apps that are not based on Electron.
Brightray is a low-level dependency of Electron that does not concern the
majority of Electron users.
## IPC
### IPC
IPC stands for Inter-Process Communication. Electron uses IPC to send
serialized JSON messages between the [main] and [renderer] processes.
## libchromiumcontent
### libchromiumcontent
A single, shared library that includes the Chromium Content module and all its
dependencies (e.g., Blink, [V8], etc.).
## main process
### main process
The main process, commonly a file named `main.js`, is the entry point to every
Electron app. It controls the life of the app, from open to close. It also
@ -40,12 +40,12 @@ The full Node API is built in.
Every app's main process file is specified in the `main` property in
`package.json`. This is how `electron .` knows what file to execute at startup.
## MAS
### MAS
Acronym for Apple's Mac App Store. For details on submitting your app to the
MAS, see the [Mac App Store Submission Guide].
## native modules
### native modules
Native modules (also called [addons] in
Node.js) are modules written in C or C++ that can be loaded into Node.js or
@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ building native modules.
See also [Using Native Node Modules].
## process
### process
A process is an instance of a computer program that is being executed. Electron
apps that make use of the [main] and one or many [renderer] process are
@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ object is a global that provides information about, and control over, the
current process. As a global, it is always available to applications without
using require().
## renderer process
### renderer process
The renderer process is a browser window in your app. Unlike the main process,
there can be multiple of these and each is run in a separate process.
@ -82,13 +82,13 @@ allowed access to native resources. Electron users, however, have the power to
use Node.js APIs in web pages allowing lower level operating system
interactions.
## Squirrel
### Squirrel
Squirrel is an open-source framework that enables Electron apps to update
automatically as new versions are released. See the [autoUpdater] API for
info about getting started with Squirrel.
## userland
### userland
This term originated in the Unix community, where "userland" or "userspace"
referred to programs that run outside of the operating system kernel. More
@ -103,13 +103,13 @@ overly prescriptive about how it should be used. Userland enables users to
create and share tools that provide additional functionality on top of what is
available in "core".
## V8
### V8
V8 is Google's open source JavaScript engine. It is written in C++ and is
used in Google Chrome, the open source browser from Google. V8 can run
standalone, or can be embedded into any C++ application.
## webview
### webview
`webview` tags are used to embed 'guest' content (such as external web pages) in
your Electron app. They are similar to `iframe`s, but differ in that each