The Franconian
Coder Studio

As a strong advocate for web technologies, I’ve seen firsthand the potential of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). However, the growing emphasis on using ‘pure’ web standards, often at the expense of frameworks, can be limiting. While standards provide a solid foundation, frameworks offer flexibility and efficiency that shouldn’t be dismissed. In my own work, I’ve hit the limits of web standards, particularly with native file system access and background processing on mobile devices. In this article, I’ll discuss why a balanced approach—embracing both standards and frameworks—is crucial for innovation and why rigid opinions can hinder progress in web development.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a powerful alternative to native apps, but they demand a rethink of how we handle updates and distribution. While app stores provide a centralized hub for discovering and updating apps, they also create monopolies and lengthy approval processes. PWAs, on the other hand, are always up-to-date and don’t rely on app stores, but they lack the centralized elegance of update notifications. In this article, I’ll explore the trade-offs between PWAs and app stores, and how this shift could redefine user expectations and app distribution in the future.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) often seem intimidating, but they’re simpler to build than you might think. If you’re already familiar with modern web development, you’re halfway there. To turn your web app into a PWA, you only need three things: a web manifest file to make it installable, HTTPS for secure delivery, and service workers to enable offline functionality. These steps are straightforward and don’t require specialized knowledge. In this article, I’ll walk you through these essentials and show how easy it is to create a PWA that rivals native apps in functionality and user experience.

A common misconception about Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) is that they require dedicated servers to function. While it’s true that PWAs, like any web application, are initially delivered from a server, they can be designed to run entirely on static files or cloud services like Firebase. This makes them as lightweight and cost-effective as native apps, with the added benefit of offline capabilities. In fact, you can host a PWA for free using platforms like GitHub Pages or opt for affordable paid solutions. In this article, I’ll explain how PWAs can operate without your own servers and why they’re a practical alternative to native apps.

At first glance, web applications might seem outdated—JavaScript is nearly 30 years old, HTML isn’t a ‘real’ programming language, and CSS can be a nightmare. But the browser remains the most universal platform for delivering applications to users, requiring no installation and working seamlessly across devices. Tools like Flutter demonstrate that brilliant, cross-platform apps can be built using web standards alone, without the need for plugins like Flash or Silverlight. In this article, I’ll explain why web applications, especially PWAs, are still the ultimate platform for modern development and why there’s no excuse not to embrace them.

The argument that web applications are slow and offer a poor user experience is outdated. With tools like WebAssembly (WASM) and Web Workers, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) can achieve near-native performance. WASM is particularly powerful for computationally intensive tasks, allowing you to run high-performance code written in languages like C, C++, Rust, or even AssemblyScript. Combined with Web Workers for multi-threading and modern web APIs like WebGL and WebGPU, PWAs can deliver exceptional speed and functionality. In this article, I’ll explore how WASM can elevate your PWA’s performance and why it’s a game-changer for cross-platform development.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are revolutionizing how we think about web applications, but can they be profitable? Unlike native apps, PWAs can’t rely on direct sales through app stores, but they offer unique monetization opportunities. From advertising to offering additional services like syncing, storage, or data aggregation, PWAs can serve as a gateway to paid features. In this article, I’ll explore how PWAs can generate revenue, whether through SaaS models, one-time purchases, or on-premise solutions, and why they’re a powerful tool for modern businesses.

For more than two decades, web apps have been my constant companion in the world of cross-platform development. Their inherent cross-platform nature, combined with continuous advancements, makes them a compelling choice for many applications. While native apps and frameworks like React Native, Flutter, and Maui have their place, web apps offer unique advantages: instant updates without app store approvals, no additional costs or revenue sharing, and compatibility across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even game consoles. In this article, I’ll discuss why web apps, despite their limitations, remain a versatile and often underrated solution worth considering.

Web technologies have come a long way, enabling developers to build modern desktop applications with frameworks like Electron, Tauri, or Wails. But what if you could achieve native integration without relying on these wrappers? Imagine delivering a Progressive Web App (PWA) from a local server, where a lightweight process handles native functionality while the PWA provides a polished UI. While this approach has its challenges—like installation complexity and local network communication—it opens up exciting possibilities for developers who want to rely solely on web technologies. Let’s dive into how this idea could reshape the way we think about desktop app development.