New Experimental HTML5 Extension: WebWorker. Multithreading for HTML5 Runtime!

[DracisLooby]

Heya,

I decided to create a basic extension for interacting with HTML5 WebWorkers.

WebWorkers are scripts that are run in a separate thread then the main JS execution.
When you create a WebWorker, it spawns a real OS level thread, and run concurrently to the main thread, thus not blocking it.

You can post messages to the WebWorker, and can receive messages from the Worker. Also, errors in the scripts don't interrupt the main thread, but just fire an event that can be caught and listened for.

If you're wondering why this matters, or what its useful for; You can put server I/O onto a separate thread, do heavy math calculations, or even hold use it to hold variables, all outside the main threads memory, meaning no hitches, pauses, or stutters in your application.

As labeled, this extension is experimental, its designed for advanced users, and requires knowledge of JavaScript to create the WebWorker Scripts.

The extension includes a help and example files.

Download it Here

I'll post a link to an example later when I make one.

Let me know what you think!

[Gibbon]

Liking this, im really hoping more advanced extensions like this that can really make good use of HTML5 come out in the future.

Much like the websockets extensions, although unfortunatly that does seem a little usless without the facility to host a websocket server.

Nevertherless keep the good work up, ill download and have a play.

Andy

[Olivier]

Could WebWorker be used to play external audio files?

[DracisLooby]

@Oliver, unfortunately no, but I am working with Yves to implement the "Play Sound From External File" action in the sound object so that you can without needing any extension.

@Gibbon, Thanks! I need to get a C++ WebSockets Server extension out when I get the chance to do some R&D, but for now I do WS experiments using Node.js and the WS module.

[Olivier]

@Oliver, unfortunately no, but I am working with Yves to implement the "Play Sound From External File" action in the sound object so that you can without needing any extension.

That's fantastic news Ben, thank you so much to both of you.