Electron.js Interview Questions and Answers for experienced
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What is Electron.js and what are its core components?
- Answer: Electron.js is an open-source framework developed by GitHub that allows developers to create cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript). Its core components include Chromium (for rendering web pages), Node.js (for backend logic), and a set of APIs that bridge the gap between the renderer process (frontend) and the main process (backend).
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Explain the difference between the main process and the renderer process in Electron.
- Answer: The main process is the entry point of your Electron app, responsible for creating windows and managing system resources. It runs a single instance of Node.js. Renderer processes are responsible for rendering the user interface within each window. They run a separate instance of Chromium and have access to Node.js only through specific inter-process communication (IPC) mechanisms.
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How do you communicate between the main process and a renderer process?
- Answer: Communication between the main and renderer processes happens primarily through IPC (Inter-Process Communication). Electron provides `ipcMain` (in the main process) and `ipcRenderer` (in the renderer process) modules to send and receive messages. Events are emitted and listened for to facilitate this communication.
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What are some common use cases for Electron.js?
- Answer: Electron.js is well-suited for creating desktop applications that need access to native system features, such as file systems, printers, or system notifications. Common use cases include text editors, IDEs, music players, chat applications, and desktop-based tools.
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Describe the lifecycle of an Electron application.
- Answer: The lifecycle begins with the `app` module's `ready` event. After this, windows are created and loaded. Events like `window-all-closed`, `before-quit`, and `will-quit` allow handling application shutdown. The application remains active until explicitly quit.
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How do you handle updates in an Electron application?
- Answer: Electron applications can be updated using various methods, such as Squirrel.Windows (for Windows), electron-updater, or custom solutions involving a server-side update mechanism. These often involve checking for updates, downloading them, and then automatically restarting the application with the new version.
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Explain the concept of context isolation in Electron.
- Answer: Context isolation creates a secure boundary between the renderer process and the main process. It limits the renderer's access to Node.js APIs and other sensitive system resources, enhancing security and preventing potential exploits.
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How do you handle sensitive data in an Electron application?
- Answer: Sensitive data should be handled carefully, minimizing exposure to the renderer process. Use secure storage mechanisms like the operating system's keychain or secure storage libraries. Avoid storing sensitive data directly in the application's code or local storage.
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What are some common performance optimization techniques for Electron applications?
- Answer: Optimization strategies include minimizing the use of heavy JavaScript computations in the main process, using efficient rendering techniques in the renderer process, employing web workers for offloading tasks, and optimizing images and assets.
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