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I wanted to create an open source program for PC and mobile and I was wondering if there are such tools that allows you to write in HTML, javascript and CSS? Phonegap allows you to do it except it's only for mobile devices, I was wondering if such technology exists for PC platform Or do I have to stick with Java, Python and C++?

My target is:

  • Flashy user interface
  • Compatible in any OSes - Windows, Mac, Linux
  • Uses a database
  • Able to consume web services
  • Easy to learn
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Out of curiosity, why would Java, Python or C++ not do the job? – Giorgio Mar 7 at 9:14

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3 Answers

up vote 4 down vote

I think Adobe Air fulfils those specifications.

Adobe Integrated Runtime, also known as Adobe AIR, is a cross-platform runtime environment developed by Adobe Systems for building Rich Internet Applications (RIA) using Adobe Flash, Adobe Flex, HTML, and Ajax, that can be run as desktop applications or on mobile devices. The runtime supports installable applications on Windows, Linux, Mac OS and some mobile operating systems such as BlackBerry Tablet OS, iOS and Android.

^^ Wikipedia on Adobe AIR

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I came into this question to suggest exactly this. +1 to you sir. – sevenseacat Mar 14 '12 at 8:43
up vote 0 down vote

The obvious thing to do is create an in browser application. Use a package like ExtJS or backbone.js and you should be able to do everything you want.

Failing that you can use Mozilla's XUL runner, which would allow you to create a browser like environment.

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up vote 0 down vote

You mentioned that you want tools that use HTML, CSS and javascript. So why not use the following:

  • HTML 5 / CSS3 (if you don't care about backward browser support)
  • Javascript (make your web app interactive... use a framework such as jQuery or mootools to help you out with the hairy parts)
  • NodeJS (write your web server and backend in javascript)

All you need is a text editor. ;-)

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