Access Node directly from React Native Webview

[KoenLav]

I was wondering whether it would be possible to communicate with Node directly from a webview in React Native.

I know the webview is also capable of using the IPC route (react native webview bridge), so I guess it should be possible, but I'm looking for advice on how to implement this.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

[jaimecbernardo]

Hi @KoenLav ,

You won't be able to communicate with Node directly from the Webview: https://github.com/janeasystems/nodejs-mobile/blob/a9208805aa3bdc6dace6f7db88a3db6e398d11fd/FAQ.md#can-i-run-nodejs-code-in-a-webview

Regarding accessing the bridge from a WebView, you'd have to look at the WebView API to see how to call native code from it and call the bridge functions. Cordova runs in a WebView, so looking at the Cordova and nodejs-mobile-cordova plugin code could be a good place to start.

I don't think I have any more tips for this, since it's not the supported scenario and hasn't been done yet, as far as I'm aware.

[KoenLav]

@jaimecbernardo thanks for your feedback!

I understand I won't be able to call out to Node.js directly (maybe I didn't make that clear).

In Electron IPC (Inter Process Communication) is used, also with channels (similarly to how React Native handles postMessage etc, I thought). And I guessed React Native => Node.js would make use of a similar technique.

So right now WebView => React Native = > Node.js would already be possible. I was wondering, if these => represent similar techniques, whether we could create something like WebView => Node.js (without it actually passing through React Native).

[jaimecbernardo]

Hi @KoenLav ,

That's what is used in Cordova (WebView => Cordova native code => Node.js), so it could be possible, if the react-native WebView API allows you to call into native code on both platforms. I'm not familiar enough with the react-native WebView to be sure of it.

[KoenLav]

@jaimecbernardo

The React Native WebView definitely supports the way you just described, and this should be doable right now.

However I was wondering whether it would be possible to send messages from the WebView directly to the Node.js process.

I now understand this is more of a question of the WebView supporting this, so I'll present the message there!