Beyond the Framework: Distributing Your Desktop App Like a Pro

The Beyond the Framework workshop focuses on understanding what makes a desktop app, how to build one, and how to structure your code beyond just using a framework. It explores desktop app development in a broader context rather than focusing on specific frameworks.

Participants will learn how to choose a desktop app framework by considering factors such as core features, developer experience, learning resources, and operating system integration. The workshop will provide insights into the categories to consider when selecting a framework for developing desktop apps.

In desktop app development, the main thread handles the state and interacts with the operating system, performing privileged actions. The render thread, on the other hand, is responsible for rendering the user interface and handling user interactions. It's important to keep them separate to enhance performance and security.

The workshop covers the use of web technologies in desktop apps by explaining frameworks like Tauri, which allows developers to build secure and efficient desktop applications using web technologies. It discusses how these frameworks can be used to leverage existing web development skills for desktop app development.

Key considerations for packaging and distributing desktop apps include building the application into an executable, packaging it with necessary metadata, code signing to verify the developer's identity, and choosing the right distribution channels like app stores or direct downloads.

To develop a native-feeling UI in desktop apps, it's recommended to use operating system-specific guidelines and consider hiring a professional designer. Using virtual machines to test UI across different systems and platforms can also help in achieving a native look and feel.

Developers can improve the security of their desktop apps by ensuring that the render thread (front-end) is treated as unprivileged and by handling all sensitive operations and state management in the main thread (back-end), which acts as a secure intermediary for system interactions.