views:

2048

answers:

12

I know there's JScript.NET, but it isn't the same as the JavaScript we know from the web.

Does anyone know if there are any JavaScript based platforms/compilers for desktop development? Most specifically Windows desktop development.

+14  A: 

Yes, with Adobe AIR. Adobe AIR lets you make desktop applications with Javascript, Flex, or Flash.

Justin Poliey
+3  A: 

There's Yahoo's Konfabulator for the windows desktop.

Kris
+12  A: 

There is XULRunner, which let's you build GUI apps like Firefox using JavaScript and XUL. It has a lot of extension to JavaScript though, using XPCOM. They also offer Prism which let's you build web apps that work offline, sort of like AIR. Yahoo uses it for their Zimbra email desktop client.

Zach
Instead of Prism you could use Google Chrome and then you could use the built in Google Gears support for offline storage.
Sam Hasler
+4  A: 

Google Gears. There's also Mozilla's XUL, but it's too bit complicated, IMHO (albeit extremely powerful).

Mike Hordecki
+6  A: 

There's SpiderMonkey, a JavaScript engine written in C and Rhino, an implementation of JavaScript in Java.

David G
+1  A: 

Script# has extensions for Vista Gadgets.

http://projects.nikhilk.net/ScriptSharp/

mattlant
Script#....eewwww. :)
Jason Bunting
+2  A: 

You can make a desktop application using XML and javascript (and/or VBS) using the Windows Script host.

The trick is to save your XML file with a .hta extension. See this reference.

dsm
I forgot about this, I'll have to try it out a little bit more. Thanks!
Chris Pietschmann
It would be nice if it could be compiled too.
Chris Pietschmann
true... maybe under .NET? I haven't tried it tho as I stopped using windows way back, but it may be worth looking up
dsm
can't find anything like it in MSDN. Then again, I probably didn't look hard enough
dsm
+5  A: 

There's Titanium Developer which is similar to Adobe AIR (html+css+javascript), but does not require a framework to be pre-installed.

Muxa
A: 

Here are some JSOS (Javascript Operating Systems), sort-of still need a browser.

http:// fractalbrain.net/ /* The Best. */

http:// cometdesktop.com/ /* Alright. */

http:// skylightproject.com/ /* Worst */

JamesM
A: 

Another option I didn't see mentioned is for Cocoa (Mac OS X, iPhone OS) applications you can use a web view (embedded WebKit) as the application UI.

eyelidlessness
A: 

http://cappuccino.org/

Raja
A: 

JavaScript Web Desktop:

http://www.supremesearch3000.bravehost.com/Desktop%20Search%20Engine.htm

Don