Posted: 10-06-2017
A brief introduction to Progressive Web Apps, or PWAs
Matt Stauffer from https://blog.tighten.co wrote this interesting introduction to Progressive Web Apps
Within the last year or two I've watched references to service workers and PWAs, or Progressive Web Apps, go from never-heard-of-them to every-other-tweet. So! Let's go learn. What is a PWA? What's their history, purpose, and value? Why do we care?
Here's the full list that Google uses to define a PWA:
- Progressive - Works for every user, regardless of browser choice because it's built with progressive enhancement as a core tenet.
- Responsive - Fits any form factor: desktop, mobile, tablet, or whatever is next.
- Connectivity independent - Enhanced with service workers to work offline or on low-quality networks.
- App-like - Feels like an app, because the app shell model separates the application functionality from application content.
- Fresh - Always up-to-date thanks to the service worker update process.
- Safe - Served via HTTPS to prevent snooping and to ensure content hasn't been tampered with.
- Discoverable - Is identifiable as an "application" thanks to W3C manifest and service worker registration scope, allowing search engines to find it.
- Re-engageable - Makes re-engagement easy through features like push notifications.
- Installable - Allows users to add apps they find most useful to their home screen without the hassle of an app store.
- Linkable - Easily share the application via URL, does not require complex installation.