Does the output of RoboHelp 2019 constitute a 'Web Application'?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
April 13, 2020
6 replies
748 views

Hi All,

RC

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer RomanCat

Just an update for anyone else looking at this in the future:

I re-purchased RoboHelp (having not used it since version 8!), generated the responsive HTML 5 output and was able to use Electron to turn it into more of a standalone desktop-like application for those that might want to do this.

R

RomanCatAuthorCorrect answer

Inspiring

Just an update for anyone else looking at this in the future:

I re-purchased RoboHelp (having not used it since version 8!), generated the responsive HTML 5 output and was able to use Electron to turn it into more of a standalone desktop-like application for those that might want to do this.

A

Amebr

Community Expert

Actually, I think the Robohelp output (responsive and frameless) counts as a "web application" for electron purposes (HTML, CSS and JS).

I *think* you would copy the output to the required app directory, with the other required electron files as outlined here, https://www.electronjs.org/docs/tutorial/application-distribution, then the packaging process would generate an exe using that content.

Or at least that's my reading of it. I haven't tried it.

How it will work in practice is a different question.

(Assuming it all works, you might be able to automate the app packaging using the Post Generation Script field in the preset.)

Peter Grainge

Community Expert

Just to add to Jeff's inputs, think of the help as a web site rather than a web application.

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Jeff_Coatsworth

Community Expert

Most help writers are just using their HTML5 help output on webservers on the Internet and connecting it to their applications - the output itself isn't an application (i.e. you can't do much with it except look things up). Even with AIRHelp, it was just a standalone wrapper as a way of serving up your content. Electron looks like just another type of wrapper with a Chrome browser baked in.

Jeff_Coatsworth

Community Expert

Yes, the mobile app output.
What are you trying to achieve?

R

RomanCatAuthor

Inspiring

I'm trying to create a standalone desktop application from the generated output.

I had previously used AirHelp but believe it is now 32-bit only (pending confirmation from Adobe which has been requested).

I have also come across Electron (see here: https://sharpnotions.com/blog/electron-is-it-right-for-building-cross-platform-applications/) which serve as a replacement but first I would need to convert my RoboHelp HTML output into a web application.