Create an alternative to electron

[Mte90]

Create an alternative to webkit that is used everywhere as it release bindings to many languages.

I tried in the past with a FFOS emulator: https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/g-ene-one-day-experiment-gecko-alternative-to-electron-nw-js/7106

But mozilla tried years ago with positron: https://github.com/mozilla/positron

Maybe today with Servo it is possible and avoid to use Gecko that is so integrate in Firefox that is idficult to separate it

[Mte90]

I discovered that exists also a WebView Grup by W3C but I don't see Mozilla participation https://www.w3.org/community/webview/

[Jon]

Hey all,

Here with an exciting update…

Your idea has been upgraded to a “Trending idea.” This means it’s now one step closer to reaching our internal teams for review—learn more about The Idea Journey.

Please keep the conversation going (the more details, the better) and stay tuned for updates 😃

-The Community Team

[nonetrix]

This would be great I think it could see good adoption since Firefox

- Uses less memory

- Resizes faster

- Generally renders faster CSS etc

The only downside is Firefox's JavaScript engine which is good enough but could be a lot better compared to V8 and JavaScriptCore but that is off topic

[tcaud123]

The main advantage of this idea is the simple fact that Firefox compiles 6x faster than either WebKit or Blink. It is also fundamentally simpler than WebKit. Much, much easier to follow from a source code standpoint.

There are practical problems however. Most of the security architecture would have to be stripped (as it wouldn't be needed and would get in the way) and probably a lot of old functions like nsiFile access would have to be restored from scripting standpoint (return of enablePrivilege, or supplant with Node or something).

Alternatively could just take the handcuffs off WebExtensions...

[amingholizad]

Yes I like that idea. firefox >> chrome

[KERR]

Yep I'd love to replace the android webview with Firefox, especially if it supported extensions like dark reader and ublock. So many apps force you to use the baked in webview (facebook messenger is a pain) instead of giving the user any choice.

Also related:

https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/11fx3pk/firefox_should_have_a_webview/

[AppData174]

+1.

[kote-isaev]

This is essentially is request to embed nodejs runtime (read running v8 engine!) into the Firefox, and expose the same API as for firefox extension? If question is to attach window management & UI from firefox UI to Nodejs/v8 and expose the firefox-specific objects into global context like native v8 addons do, this is one thing.

If it is making full-blown separate thingy with "everything Firefox" - it is other story.

If it is about making some "JS for Desktop" standard, with these APIS like electron's `safeStorage`, `pushNotificaitons`, available at webAPI in general where appropriate and at that "JS for Desktop" standard for things like `shell`, which can be implemented by Electron, FirefoxForDesktop, or whatsever? Then it is completely different story.

[mk6f33]

+1 on this!!