Electron GUI with C# backend

user_3924219 0
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Use case

I've got an existing project developed in C# using WinForms with custom controls for the GUI. We are amazed by the approach to write GUIs using HTML/CSS/JS and we are looking for the best way to write a GUI for our desktop application using the above mentioned languages. We only need to support Windows devices.

My worries:

It doesn't take long to come across recommendations using electron-edge. While I am not so worried to get everything working, I am worried about:

  1. Debugging my C# code (I still want to be able to start my whole application right from VS and debug it look I am used to it). I read that I would need to attach to the node.js application in order to debug my C# code afterwards. Since the whole program language is written in C# that sounds like a pain?
  2. As far as I got edge will let it run as just one process. Can I consider the electron application as an own thread which would still run while my C# code is stuck somewhere?

My option:

I am still positive I want to write my desktop GUI with HTML/CSS/JS. What I considered instead of using electron-edge is writing an own electron application which does communicate with my C# backend using named pipes. I wonder if there are larger roadblocks why I wouldn't want to do this and use electron-edge instead?

My question:

I would like to get feedback for my two concerns mentioned above and I also would like to get input about my option to create the GUI as own electron process, so that I have two processes (GUI+Backend) when someone runs my application.

electron node.js ipc javascript c#
3 Answers

Electron.NET may be a option for you. You can write c# code with electron.

user_9880890

You can do it in many ways

1) COM. Create C# COM DLL. Create wrapper functions for the DLL using N-API (Native node module) or use FFI. You can access the functions from JS.

2) Create a .Net web server and include your functions as REST endpoints. From UI make http request to communicate (Clear separation of UI & BEnd)

You can checkout my github repo for a few alternatives to electron.

user_121677850

I think a most import question would be how your frontend interacts with the backend? Is there any notifications need push to the frontend?

WebSocket could be a good option for two ends communication.

user_3483230
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