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

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Hi All,

RC

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RomanCatCorrect 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.

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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.

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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.)

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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.

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Jeff_Coatsworth

Community Expert

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

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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.

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