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Resolved Does Appeon do Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) or Something Similar

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  1. Ronnie Payton
    Ronnie Payton
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. Friday, 5 June 2020 20:15 PM UTC

Can you create PWAs with Appeon tools or do you accomplish similar outcome with Appeon differently? What are the Pros and Cons of using a PWA?  

We are planning a basic application to collect data and save to an SAP ASE database.  The application would run from a windows desktop, labtop or a mobile device such as an IPAD.  Management would like the application to have the capability to run disconnected, when there is no network available.  However they prefer the application not be a mobile app.  One suggestion is to create a PWA with MS Visual Studio.  Our team use Powerbuilder, we have the background knowledge and we already have an existing similar Client/Server application.  Any suggestions would be helpful.  Thanks in advance.

 

4 Different application objects for same code base
ADO.NET Connection to SQL Server DB - Sybase.Power...
Accepted Answer
Marco Meoni
Marco Meoni Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Monday, 8 June 2020 08:39 AM UTC
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. # Permalink

Hi Ronnie,

in addition to what Armeen said, let me share my personal experience with PWA.

Now that Appeon gives me a solid backend framework with .NET datastore and MVC REST API, I am moving first steps into SPA and PWA.
I have chosen Vue.js rather than Angular/React because the learning curve is faster (and arguably it solves some shortcoming from its 2 big .JS bros).

I am doing this because there are customers who are not yet ready for Desktop Cloud Apps.
Simply, they 1) want cross-platform UI and 2) work in any browser.
Yes, they do need a browser because the UX takes them first to a company SSO web page, which then redirects the user to a second trusted (Web) application: in this case jumping off the browser and start a Desktop Cloud App is not acceptable.

Just to clarify, PWA are responsive because they features native plugins when needed. They adapt automatically to any screen size. And they offer too offline support thanks to service workers, a feature today available in all browsers that allows for background processes while showing the htlm page. Last but not least, desktop-mode is also possible, they are installable and allow to avoid App stores.

Best,
.m

 

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Responses (4)
Chris Pollach @Appeon
Chris Pollach @Appeon Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Friday, 5 June 2020 21:24 PM UTC
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. # 1

Hi Ronnie;

  Appeon's PowerServer Web product would be the mechanism for building Web based applications currently. However, based on the PWA definition ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_web_application, the first hurdles would be: A) Works in any browser and B) requires a plug-in that only supports MS-Windows. PS Web requires a plug-in and only works on Windows based browsers. If these restrictions are not of concern for your organization, have a look at: https://www.appeon.com/products/powerserver

Regards ... Chris

 

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Armeen Mazda @Appeon
Armeen Mazda @Appeon Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Friday, 5 June 2020 21:39 PM UTC
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. # 2

Hi Ronnie,

Today, you can create PWAs by using a combination of Visual Studio and a JavaScript framework like React or Angular for the UI and Appeon tools (SnapDevelop with DataWindow technology) for the business logic on the server.  The business logic on the server would be exposed as standard REST APIs, and Appeon's C# libraries are cross-OS and open-source.

Of course you could do your project without using Appeon tools, but DataWindow technology is far more productive than using something like Entity Framework and it performs better too.  Take a look at code sample of Entity Framework vs. .NET DataStore.

I think the key pros for PWAs are as follows:

  • A single project deploys cross-OS and cross-device.
  • You don't need multiple skills sets (.NET developer, iOS developer, Android developer, etc.)
  • Easier to deploy - no upfront installation required.

And the cons compared to a native app are as follows:

  • Its offline execution capability has some limitations.
  • Its functionality has some limitations, especially device features.
  • It performs slower/less responsive.

But keep in mind no matter what UI technology you decide to use, you can still benefit from DataWindow productivity by coding your business logic using the .NET DataStore.

Best regards,
Armeen

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Ronnie Payton
Ronnie Payton Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Monday, 8 June 2020 22:24 PM UTC
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. # 3

Thanks to everyone for their responses.  They help me to understand PWAs better.  If we have to go the PWA route, I will push for using Appeon tools for the business logic.

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