What is a PWA?
A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web application that uses modern web technologies to provide a native app-like experience to users. It combines the best of both web and native apps, making it fast, reliable, and engaging. PWAs can be accessed through a web browser, but they can also be installed on a user's device, just like a native app.
PWAs are designed to be responsive, meaning they can adapt to different screen sizes and devices. They also have the ability to work offline, making them accessible even without an internet connection. This is achieved through the use of service workers, which are scripts that run in the background and can cache content for offline use.
PWAs are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to provide a seamless user experience and their potential to replace native apps. In this tutorial, we will go through the essential steps to make your PWA production ready.
1. Set Up a Manifest File
A manifest file is a JSON file that contains information about your PWA, such as its name, description, and icons. It is used by the browser to provide a native app-like experience to users. To create a manifest file, create a new file in your project directory and name it manifest.json.
Next, add the following code to your manifest file:
{ "name": "My PWA", "short_name": "My PWA", "start_url": "/", "display": "standalone", "background_color": "#ffffff", "theme_color": "#ffffff", "icons": [ { "src": "icon-72x72.png", "sizes": "72x72", "type": "image/png" }, { "src": "icon-96x96.png", "sizes": "96x96", "type": "image/png" }, { "src": "icon-128x128.png", "sizes": "128x128", "type": "image/png" }, { "src": "icon-144x144.png", "sizes": "144x144", "type": "image/png" }, { "src": "icon-152x152.png", "sizes": "152x152", "type": "image/png" }, { "src": "icon-192x192.png", "sizes": "192x192", "type": "image/png" }, { "src": "icon-384x384.png", "sizes": "384x384", "type": "image/png" }, { "src": "icon-512x512.png", "sizes": "512x512", "type": "image/png" } ] } Make sure to replace the icon file names and sizes with your own. The start_url property specifies the URL that the PWA will open when launched. The display property determines how the PWA will be displayed to the user. In this case, we have set it to standalone to make it appear as a standalone app.
Once you have created your manifest file, you need to link it to your HTML document. Add the following code inside the head tag of your HTML document:
<link rel="manifest" href="manifest.json"> Now, when a user visits your PWA, the browser will prompt them to install it on their device.
2. Implement a Service Worker
As mentioned earlier, service workers are responsible for caching content and enabling offline functionality in PWAs. To implement a service worker, you need to create a new file in your project directory and name it service-worker.jsUseful Links: