Standalone Node.js application

Question

I am considering developing a desktop application composed of 2 parts:

• user interface (Java app for example)
• back-end Node.js server

The 2 parts connect through sockets. Don't ask why I know it's weird.

I will want to be able to provide to customers the application with an installer. I don't want that users have to install Node.js themselves.

Is there a way to have a Node.js server installed as standalone, i.e. no need to install Node.js globally on the system.

This is a question for any (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X...) environment.

Answer 1

Update 2017-05-04: And there's a new kid in town:

• PKG (by zeit)

Update 2016-11-14: Nowadays Electron and nwjs seem like the best options.

• Electron
• nwjs-builder

Original:

There are a number of steps you have to go through to create an installer and it varies for each Operating System. For Example:

• on Mac OS X you need to create a .pkg, there are instructions on how to do that here: https://coolaj86.com/articles/how-to-create-an-osx-pkg-installer.html
• on Ubuntu Linux you need to create a .deb, there are instruction on how to do that here: https://coolaj86.com/articles/how-to-create-a-debian-installer.html
• on Microsoft Windows you need to create a .exe or .msi, there are instruction on how do that using the innosetup installer here: https://coolaj86.com/articles/how-to-create-an-innosetup-installer.html

Answer 2

You can bundle the binaries with your application. Won't have to install anything to run a Node app. The binaries are available on the same page as the installers.

You'll just have to know where the binaries are, but I assume you've got an installer that can put them somewhere known.

// To start the node process $ /path/to/binaries/npm install $ /path/to/binaries/node myApp.js