NodObjC
Node.js ⇆ Objective-C bridge
TheNodObjC
exposes the Objective-C runtime to Node.js in a high-level, easy
to use fashion. It uses the BridgeSupport
files to dynamically generate an
API from an Objective-C "Framework", and uses the node ffi
module to dynamically interact
with the Objective-C runtime.
Essentially, NodObjC
is similar in nature to the other popular Objective-C
scripting bridges:
So you can write entire Cocoa or iOS GUI applications entirely in Node.js JavaScript! Applications are interpreted at runtime through the V8 engine, rather than (pre)compiled to a (binary) machine exectuable. This has the advantage of being able to tweak code without having to recompile; excellent for rapid prototyping and development (or for those GUI applications where absolute speed is not a requirement, i.e. most). So what are you waiting for? Get to coding!
Installation
Install using npm
, of course!
$ npm install nodobjc
Or add it to the "dependencies"
section of your package.json file.
Hello World
var $ =// First you import the "Foundation" framework$// Setup the recommended NSAutoreleasePool instancevar pool = $'init'// NSStrings and JavaScript Strings are distinct objects, you must create an// NSString from a JS String when an Objective-C class method requires one.var string = $// Print out the contents (toString() ends up calling [string description])console// → Prints "Hello Objective-C World!"
Be sure to check out the full API docs.
Introduction
This module offers a bi-directional bridge between Node.js and the Objective-C runtime. What does that mean exactly? Well due to the design of the Objective-C runtime, it is possible to port the entire API to other languages. There are quite a few bridges for Obj-C so one for node was a necessity.
So with this module, you get access to all of the Objective-C APIs, but you invoke them through JavaScript. Obj-C has a concept of "message passing" to invoke methods on objects. The way that you pass messages around is probably a little bit different than the kind of JavaScript you're used to:
// In JavaScript, you invoke a function on an object like:obj
Compared to:
// In NodObjC, you send a message to an object like:
In Objective-C, the names of methods are part of the arguments that you pass along:
The equivalent of the above message invocation in NodObjC syntax would be:
So the even numbered arguments are the parts of the method name that will be
invoked, and the odd numbered arguments are the Obj-C arguments themselves. In
the above example, the insertObject:atIndex:
function will be invoked.
In NodObjC
, not only is the Objective-C runtime exposed, but so are the
corresponding C functions that usually go along with these APIs (thanks to
BridgeSupport). So for example, we can make an NSRect
by calling the
NSMakeRect()
C function:
$// -> NSRect struct
There's a plethora of other Objective-C resources and tutorials out there.
You should definitely have Apple's official Mac or iOS API docs handy at all times.
Support / Getting Involved
If you're looking for support for developing with/for NodObjC
you might want
to join the mailing list, and check out the #nodobjc channel
in the Freenode IRC server.
Additional topics of discussion can be found on the Wiki page.