Vue CLI Plugin Electron Builder shows complete blank screen on build - javascript

When I build my electron app with this plugin, all I get when installing the package is a blank, white, screen. I've configured the window to open dev tools in the built version, but when I look at the inspect menu, the only content on the page are the <html>, <head> and <body> tags, and there are no errors; the console is completely empty:
Elements:
Console:
I've looked just about everywhere online, but none of the solutions there worked.
I have tried changing the router mode from history to hash and also running vue invoke electron-builder, but they didn't help.
From what I can tell, this is failing:
win.loadURL('app://index.html')
because the path is incorrect. But I don't know if that's the case or if it's something else, since there are no errors reported.
Here's my background.js file:
'use strict'
import { app, protocol, BrowserWindow } from 'electron'
import { createProtocol } from 'vue-cli-plugin-electron-builder/lib'
import installExtension, { VUEJS_DEVTOOLS } from 'electron-devtools-installer'
const isDevelopment = process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'production'
// Keep a global reference of the window object, if you don't, the window will
// be closed automatically when the JavaScript object is garbage collected.
let win
// Scheme must be registered before the app is ready
protocol.registerSchemesAsPrivileged([
{ scheme: 'app', privileges: { secure: true, standard: true } }
])
function createWindow() {
// Create the browser window.
win = new BrowserWindow({
width: 1500,
height: 845,
webPreferences: {
// Use pluginOptions.nodeIntegration, leave this alone
// See nklayman.github.io/vue-cli-plugin-electron-builder/guide/security.html#node-integration for more info
nodeIntegration: true,
enableRemoteModule: true
}
})
win.removeMenu()
win.webContents.openDevTools();
if (process.env.WEBPACK_DEV_SERVER_URL) {
// Load the url of the dev server if in development mode
win.loadURL(process.env.WEBPACK_DEV_SERVER_URL)
// if (!process.env.IS_TEST) win.webContents.openDevTools();
} else {
createProtocol('app')
// Load the index.html when not in development
win.loadURL('app://index.html')
}
win.once('ready-to-show', () => {
win.show();
})
win.on('closed', () => {
win = null
})
}
// Quit when all windows are closed.
app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
// On macOS it is common for applications and their menu bar
// to stay active until the user quits explicitly with Cmd + Q
if (process.platform !== 'darwin') {
app.quit()
}
})
app.on('activate', () => {
// On macOS it's common to re-create a window in the app when the
// dock icon is clicked and there are no other windows open.
if (win === null) {
createWindow()
}
})
// This method will be called when Electron has finished
// initialization and is ready to create browser windows.
// Some APIs can only be used after this event occurs.
app.on('ready', async () => {
if (isDevelopment && !process.env.IS_TEST) {
// Install Vue Devtools
try {
await installExtension(VUEJS_DEVTOOLS)
} catch (e) {
console.error('Vue Devtools failed to install:', e.toString())
}
}
createWindow()
})
// Exit cleanly on request from parent process in development mode.
if (isDevelopment) {
if (process.platform === 'win32') {
process.on('message', (data) => {
if (data === 'graceful-exit') {
app.quit()
}
})
} else {
process.on('SIGTERM', () => {
app.quit()
})
}
}
How can I fix this problem?

I found that solution is to change router mode from "history" to "hash". So in router config set:
mode: process.env.IS_ELECTRON ? 'hash' : 'history',
Problem solution source

So after more Googling, I stumbled upon this site which suggested to do this:
Replace your default win.loadURL() (which might look like this:
win.loadURL(formatUrl({
pathname: path.join(__dirname, 'index.html');,
protocol: 'file',
slashes: true
}))
or it could be different; it doesn't matter), with this:
win.loadURL(path.join(__dirname, 'index.html'));
Basically, the difference is that this just removes the formatUrl which seems to screw things up.
I replaced mine, which was:
win.loadURL("app://./index.html");
with this, and it works fine now.
Also make sure you don't delete createProtocol('app') if that is there too, (it was a few lines above win.loadUrl()), because you could break your app :).

if you are using vue-router, make sure to set it on "hash mode".
source: https://nklayman.github.io/vue-cli-plugin-electron-builder/guide/commonIssues.html

Related

Cypress won't open the specified URL

When I run the test, the specified URL does not open, even though it is entered correctly and set in BaseUrl in cypress.config.js:
> module.exports = defineConfig({ e2e: {
> "projectId": "fi4fhz",
> "viewportHeight": 1080,
> "viewportWidth": 1920,
> specPattern: 'cypress/e2e/**/*.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}',
> baseUrl: 'https://pha.mm.int:6001/',
>
> setupNodeEvents(on, config) {
>
> }, },
In every test file I have this:
beforeEach(() => {
cy.runInWeb();
});
and in commands.js I have:
Cypress.Commands.add("runInWeb", () => { cy.visit(Cypress.e2e().projectUrl) });
and in cypress.config.js I have:
"projectUrl": "https://pha.mm.int:6001/"
but it's not functioning. Where is the problem?
The baseUrl value https://pha.mm.int:6001/ shows up in the browser address bar because Cypress uses it to configure set up the runner.
But the <iframe> containing the web page under test isn't changed until you perform
the first cy.visit('/').
This is to allow you to execute code before the page load occurs, like cy.intercept() and cy.fixture().
Yes you visit() but not in the right way, if you store your url in env variable you get it out like this:
Cypress.Commands.add("runInWeb", () => { cy.visit(Cypress.env('projectUrl')) });
and you store the default like this:
// cypress.config.js
const { defineConfig } = require("cypress");
module.exports = defineConfig({
e2e: {
setupNodeEvents(on, config) {
// implement node event listeners here
},
specPattern: 'cypress/e2e/**/*.cy.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}'
},
env: {
projectUrl: 'https://pha.mm.int:6001/',
},
})
or cypress.env.json
{
"projectUrl": "https://pha.mm.int:6001/"
}
Ensure that you have this beforeEach prior to running your it test blocks. You need to use cy.visit('/') before each of your tests.
beforeEach(() => {
//cy.session(id, setup); Use is if you want to stay logged into your application
cy.visit('/);
cy.wait(100);
});
If you're interested in using a session, visit the cypress docs here:
Based on the information in the question, I assume that you did not include a cy.visit() command. Without that command, Cypress does not know to open a webpage.

electron js - cannot get button to perform simple actions from click

Long story short I am working on a single page application that sends commands over a local network. Testing out Electron JS and I can't even seem to get a simple button to work. I feel like I am not linking the logic between main.js and index.js somehow but for the life of me I cannot figure out the correct way to do it. I have even put breakpoints in index.js and through main.js & index.html but none of the breakpoints are hit aside from the ones in main.js. I put a simple function in a preload.js file and that function is correctly called but the one I am trying to attach to a button located in index.html and index.js is never even being hit. A lot of the commented out code is things I want to remember or things I have noticed a different method of creating and just wanted to try and see if that worked. If anyone has any answers or guidance it would be greatly appreciated! :D
Below is my main.js
//#region ---for dev only | hot reload
try {
require('electron-reloader')(module)
} catch (_) {}
//#endregion
const electron = require('electron');
const {app, BrowserWindow, Menu} = require('electron');
const path = require('path');
const ipcMain = electron.ipcMain;
//#region globals
const SRC_DIR = '/src/'
const IMG_DIR = '/assets/images'
//#endregion
function createWindow () {
const win = new BrowserWindow({
width: 800,
height: 600,
//frame: false,
webPreferences: {
contextIsolation: true,
preload: path.join(__dirname, 'preload.js')
}
});
//Used to auto open dev tools for debugging
//win.openDevTools();
win.loadFile('src/index.html');
// win.loadURL(url.format({
// pathname: path.join(__dirname, 'index.html'),
// protocol: 'file',
// slashes: true
// }));
}
app.whenReady().then(() => {
//nativeTheme.shouldUseDarkColors = true;
createWindow();
})
//closes app processes when window is closed
app.on('window-all-closed', function () {
if (process.platform !== 'darwin') app.quit();
})
var menu = Menu.buildFromTemplate([
{
label: 'Menu',
submenu: [
{label: 'Edit'},
{type: 'separator'},
{
label: 'Exit',
click() {
app.quit();
}
}
]
}
])
Menu.setApplicationMenu(menu);
Here is index.html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Security-Policy" content="default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'">
<meta http-equiv="X-Content-Security-Policy" content="default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'">
<title>Ecas Software</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<p id="myText">Let's get started :)</p>
<button id="myBtn">Change Text</button>
<script type="text/javascript" src="./index.js" ></script>
</body>
</html>
Lastly here is my index.js (aka my first and only renderer?)
const electron = require('electron');
const chgBtn = document.getElementById('myBtn');
function replaceText(selector, text){
const element = document.getElementById(selector);
if (element) element.innerText = text;
}
chgBtn.onclick = function() {
replaceText('myText', 'no boom...');
}
// chgBtn.addEventListener('click', function(){
// // if (document.getElementById('myText').innerText == 'boom'){
// // replaceText('myText','no boom...');
// // } else {
// // replaceText('myText','boom');
// // }
// document.alert("working function");
// });
//chgBtn.addEventListener('click', replaceText('myText','no boom...'));
Why you have this error
The problem here is that you didn't use your scripts files the way Electron was intended.
If you use the Devtools Console (by uncommenting win.openDevTools()), you should see this error in your console :
Uncaught ReferenceError: require is not defined (from index.js file)
This is because your index.js file is loaded as a "normal javascript file". If you want to use the Node syntaxe (aka the "require" syntaxe), you need to do it in your preload script. Only the preload script can use the require syntaxe, since it is the only script allowed by Electron to use Node.
You can also use other javascripts files, by import it in your HTML as you did for the index.js file, but you should remove the require call. As the "require" call (on the first line) will throw and error, all the following code will not run. This is why your button did not react on click.
The correct way to do it
If you need to use some methods from the Electron Renderer API (such as the ipcRenderer), you need to put it in your preload script.
If you want to use your own script, in a separate file, you can also do it, you will not be able to directly call Electron API. There is a solution if you want to call the Electron API in your own script, it is called the Context Bridge. This allows you to create an object in your preload script, that can use the Electron API. You can give this object a name, and then call it from your others script by using the window global object.
For example, if you want to use ipcRenderer.send(channel, payload) :
// Preload script
const { contextBridge, ipcRenderer } = require('electron')
contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld('theNameYouWant',
{
send: (channel, payload) => ipcRenderer.send(channel, payload)
}
)
// index.js file, imported in your HTML file
window.theNameYouWant.send("channel-name", { someData: "Hello" })
In your example
// Add this in your main.js file to see when a user click on the button from main process
ipcMain.on("button-clicked", (event, data) => console.log(data))
// Preload script
const { contextBridge, ipcRenderer } = require("electron")
contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld("electron", {
send: (channel, payload) => ipcRenderer.send(channel, payload),
})
// index.js
const chgBtn = document.getElementById("myBtn")
function replaceText(selector, text) {
const element = document.getElementById(selector)
if (element) element.innerText = text
}
chgBtn.onclick = function () {
replaceText("myText", "no boom...")
window.electron.send("button-clicked", { someData: "Hello" })
}

Is there a way to let the program remember which URL was open when the user closed the program?

Is there a way to let the program remember which URL was open when the user closed the program? For example if the user closes the application, the last URL gets added to the loadURL. The program is being used for users that only can interact with touchscreen and cant leave the specific site. I am using windows 10 and the newest version of electron.
// Modules to control application life and create native browser window.
const { app, BrowserWindow, Menu } = require("electron");
// Keep a global reference of the window object, if you don't, the window will
// be closed automatically when the JavaScript object is garbage collected.
let mainWindow;
function createWindow() {
// Create the browser window.
mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({
width: 800,
height: 600,
frame: false,
webPreferences: {
preload: `${__dirname}/preload.js`
}
});
// The loadURL that loads if you start up the application.
mainWindow.loadURL("https://google.com");
// Emitted when the window is closed.
mainWindow.on("closed", function() {
// Dereference the window object, usually you would store windows
// in an array if your app supports multi windows, this is the time
// when you should delete the corresponding element.
mainWindow = null;
});
}
// The toggleFullScreen function stated in the createMainMenu function.
function toggleFullscreen() {
if (mainWindow.isFullScreen()) {
mainWindow.setFullScreen(false);
} else {
mainWindow.setFullScreen(true);
}
}
function createMainMenu() {
const template = [
{
label: "Options",
submenu:
[
{
label: "Quit",
accelerator: "CmdOrCtrl+Q",
click() {
app.quit();
}
},
{
label: 'Toggle full screen',
accelerator: 'CmdOrCtrl+F',
click: () => {
toggleFullscreen();
}
},
{
label: 'Toggle developer tools',
accelerator: 'CmdOrCtrl+I',
click(item, focusedWindow){
focusedWindow.toggleDevTools();
}
}
]
}
];
const menu = Menu.buildFromTemplate(template);
Menu.setApplicationMenu(menu);
}
// This method will be called when Electron has finished
// initialization and is ready to create browser windows.
// Some APIs can only be used after this event occurs.
app.on("ready", () => {
createWindow();
createMainMenu();
});
// Quit when all windows are closed.
app.on("window-all-closed", function() {
// On macOS it is common for applications and their menu bar
// to stay active until the user quits explicitly with Cmd + Q.
if (process.platform !== "darwin") {
app.quit();
}
});
app.on("activate", function() {
// On macOS it's common to re-create a window in the app when the
// dock icon is clicked and there are no other windows open.
if (mainWindow === null) {
createWindow();
}
});
// In this file you can include the rest of your app's specific main process
// code. You can also put them in separate files and require them here.
You have two options.
First, each time the URL changes, use LocalStorage in the renderer process. It will work just like in a web app.
Second, each the URL changes, have it send a message back to the main process, and have it write that to a local file. getPath('appData') can be used to get the OS-specific directory of where settings files can be written.

ServiceWorker multiple SCSS files for dynamic require in React

I have been searching around but can't find an answer to this. I managed to dynamically load the required scss files for the create-react-app dynamically, so as to have a light and dark modes. I use the vanilla framework with React.js, and am doing the following in app.js
useEffect(
() => {
console.log('use effect')
if (cookies['mode'] === 'light' || cookies['mode'] === 'dark') {
console.log('cookies_mode: '+cookies['mode'])
setUiMode(cookies['mode'])
} else {
console.log('cookies_mode: light')
setUiMode('light')
}
if (uiMode === 'light') {
require('./app.scss')
setNavBgColor('#FFF')
setNavFgColor('#111')
} else {
require('./app-dark.scss')
setNavBgColor('#080808')
setNavFgColor('#FFF')
}
},
[cookies, uiMode]
)
and upon reload the correct stylesheet is used. This is working perfectly in the development server (i.e npm start) but when I build it with npm run build and then serve it, all the site works fine, except for the ability to switch modes, so it stays in dark mode always... super strange because the cookies are being set correctly.. Could this be because of having enabled the service worker and it is caching my stylesheet even if it has different name?
Code in my github: https://github.com/averageflow/joes-software
Don't know if it helps but here is the way it switches themes:
function toggleUIMode () {
if (uiMode === 'dark') {
setCookie('mode', 'light', { path: '/' })
setUiMode('light')
window.location.reload(false)
} else {
setCookie('mode', 'dark', { path: '/' })
setUiMode('dark')
window.location.reload(false)
}
console.log('set ui mode to')
console.log(uiMode)
}

Electron "require is not defined"

I'm making an application which I need to give access to the file system (fs) module, however even with nodeIntegration enabled the renderer gives me this error:
Uncaught ReferenceError: require is not defined
All similar problems I could find had a solution that said they needed to turn nodeIntegration on, however I already have it enabled.
This is my main.js:
const electron = require('electron');
const {app, BrowserWindow} = electron;
let win;
app.on('ready', () => {
var { width, height } = electron.screen.getPrimaryDisplay().workAreaSize;
width = 1600;
height = 900;
win = new BrowserWindow({'minHeight': 850, 'minWidth': 1600, width, height, webPreferences: {
contextIsolation: true,
webSecurity: true,
nodeIntegration: true
}});
win.setMenu(null);
win.loadFile('index.html');
win.webContents.openDevTools()
});
My index.js, linked in index.html as <script src="index.js"></script> currently only has require("fs"); in it, I've commented out all the other stuff.
I don't know why require still doesn't work even though nodeIntegration is enabled.
When you have nodeIntegration disabled but aren't using contextIsolation, you could use a preload script to expose a safe version of it on the global object. (Note: you shouldn't expose the entire fs module to a remote page!)
Here's an example of using a preload script in this way:
// main process script
const mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({
webPreferences: {
contextIsolation: false,
nodeIntegration: false,
preload: './preload.js'
}
})
mainWindow.loadURL('my-safe-file.html')
// preload.js
const { readFileSync } = require('fs')
// the host page will have access to `window.readConfig`,
// but not direct access to `readFileSync`
window.readConfig = function () {
const data = readFileSync('./config.json')
return data
}
// renderer.js
const config = window.readConfig()
If you're only loading local pages, and those pages don't load or execute unsafe dynamic content then you might reconsider the use of contextIsolation for this strategy. If you want to keep contextIsolation on, however (and you definitely should if you have a chance of showing unsafe content), you can only communicate with the preload script with message passing via postMessage.
Here's an example of the same scenario above, but with contextIsolation on and using message passing.
// main process script
const mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({
webPreferences: {
contextIsolation: true,
nodeIntegration: false,
preload: './preload.js'
}
})
mainWindow.loadURL('my-unsafe-file.html')
// preload.js
const { readFileSync } = require('fs')
const readConfig = function () {
const data = readFileSync('./config.json')
return data
}
window.addEventListener('message', (event) => {
if (event.source !== window) return
if (event.data.type === 'request') {
window.postMessage({ type: 'response', content: readConfig() })
}
})
// renderer.js
window.addEventListener('message', (event) => {
if (event.source !== window) return
if (event.data.type === 'response') {
const config = event.data.content
}
})
window.postMessage('request')
While this is definitely more verbose and difficult to deal with (and forces things to be async, because message passing is async), it's also much more secure. A pair of small JS wrappers around the postMessage API could make this easier to work with (e.g. via an RPC-like mechanism), but remember that the whole point of using contextIsolation is because you can't trust the renderer, so your preload script shouldn't trust just any message it gets via the postMessage API — you should always verify the event that you receive to ensure that you trust it.
This slide deck describers in detail why turning off Node integration without using context isolation is not always a good idea.

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