CodeFest 2019. Florian Rival (Facebook) — Beyond Web-Apps: WebAssembly, JS and React to rewrite native apps

by CodeFest

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Native Native Web Web Apps Apps React and WebAssembly to Rewrite Native Apps @FlorianRival1

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Since a long time 2

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I ❤ apps I ❤ apps Since a long time 2

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“ open-source, cross-platform game creator designed to be used by everyone 3

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“ open-source, cross-platform game creator designed to be used by everyone An editor for games 3

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“ open-source, cross-platform game creator designed to be used by everyone An editor for games Visual programming 3

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“ open-source, cross-platform game creator designed to be used by everyone An editor for games Visual programming Output HTML5 games 3

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The editor is getting old The editor is getting old 7

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The editor is getting old The editor is getting old Lots of cross-platforms issues with the UI toolkit, support for macOS and Linux is bad. 7

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The editor is getting old The editor is getting old Lots of cross-platforms issues with the UI toolkit, support for macOS and Linux is bad. Iterating on the software is slow (C++ ) 7

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The editor is getting old The editor is getting old Lots of cross-platforms issues with the UI toolkit, support for macOS and Linux is bad. Iterating on the software is slow (C++ ) Building UI is slow... ...and limited to old UI components... ...and UX would need some enhancements 7

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Could web Could web technologies help? technologies help? 8

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“ React is perfect for React is perfect for making complex UI making complex UI 9 . 1

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“ React is perfect for React is perfect for making complex UI making complex UI Well, really?... Well, really?... 9 . 1

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“ React is perfect for React is perfect for making complex UI making complex UI Well, really?... Well, really?... Can we have Can we have 9 . 1

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“ React is perfect for React is perfect for making complex UI making complex UI Well, really?... Well, really?... Can we have Can we have list and trees of hundreds of list and trees of hundreds of elements, elements, dynamic panels, dynamic panels, 2d/3d visualizations 2d/3d visualizations 9 . 1

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color pickers, tabs, ﬁle trees, color pickers, tabs, ﬁle trees, a "real app" feeling a "real app" feeling, copy- , copy- paste things paste things, handle key- , handle key- board shortcuts board shortcuts , display , display and edit code in a rich editor and edit code in a rich editor show charts... show charts... 9 . 2

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“ JavaScript is perfect for JavaScript is perfect for most applications most applications 10

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“ JavaScript is perfect for JavaScript is perfect for most applications most applications Well, really?... Well, really?... 10

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“ JavaScript is perfect for JavaScript is perfect for most applications most applications Well, really?... Well, really?... what if we what if we 10

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“ JavaScript is perfect for JavaScript is perfect for most applications most applications Well, really?... Well, really?... what if we what if we already have a native already have a native codebase? codebase? Or have advanced Or have advanced 10

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X-platform toolkit (wxWidgets) GDevelop C++ codebase GDevelop C++ codebase 11

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X-platform toolkit (wxWidgets) GDevelop C++ codebase GDevelop C++ codebase Core classes (game, scene, object, textures...) 11 Game exporter (JS "transpiler")

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X-platform toolkit (wxWidgets) GUI (windows, dialogs...) Filesystem GDevelop C++ codebase GDevelop C++ codebase Core classes (game, scene, object, textures...) 11 Game exporter (JS "transpiler")

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X-platform toolkit (wxWidgets) GUI (windows, dialogs...) Filesystem React.js powered interface GDevelop C++ codebase GDevelop C++ codebase Core classes (game, scene, object, textures...) 11 Game exporter (JS "transpiler")

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X-platform toolkit (wxWidgets) GUI (windows, dialogs...) Filesystem React.js powered interface Node.js/browser adapters GDevelop C++ codebase GDevelop C++ codebase Core classes (game, scene, object, textures...) 11 Game exporter (JS "transpiler")

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Writing WebAssembly Writing WebAssembly 14 . 1

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Writing WebAssembly Writing WebAssembly 14 . 1

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Writing WebAssembly Writing WebAssembly 14 . 1

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Writing WebAssembly Writing WebAssembly 14 . 1

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explained 14 . 2

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explained 14 . 2

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LLVM IR (bitcode) explained 14 . 2

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LLVM IR (bitcode) explained 14 . 2

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LLVM IR (bitcode) explained 14 . 2

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Using Emscripten Using Emscripten git clone https://github.com/emscripten-core/emsdk.git cd emsdk && ./emsdk install latest && ./emsdk activate latest ./emcc tests/hello_world.c node a.out.js For large projects, Emscripten provides replacements that swap GCC or Clang by Emscripten in build system (automake, CMake...) 15

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Expose existing classes Expose existing classes 16

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Expose existing classes Expose existing classes class ObjectsContainer { Object& InsertObject(const Object& object, size_t position) { ... }; Object& GetObject(const gd::String& name) { ... }; } class Layout : public ObjectsContainer { public: void setName(const gd::String & name_) { name = name_; }; const gd::String & getName() { return name; }; // ... } interface Layout { void setName([Const] DOMString name); [Const, Ref] DOMString getName(); // Inherited from ObjectsContainer [Ref] Object insertObject([Ref] gdObject object, unsigned long pos); [Ref] Object getObject([Const] DOMString name); } "WebIDL" bindings for Emscripten WebIDL binder: 16

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Use Emscripten classes Use Emscripten classes 17

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Use Emscripten classes Use Emscripten classes Module().then(gd => { const layout = new gd.Layout(); layout.setName("My game level"); const object = new gd.Object(); object.setName("My character"); layout.insertObject(object, 0); console.log(layout.getName()); // "My game level" console.log(object.getObject("My character")); // Returns a gd.Object }); Converted, including JS strings (to char*) Primitive types? 17

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Things to know Things to know 19

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Things to know Things to know const layout = new gd.Layout(); // ... gd.destroy(layout); // Binded objects need manual destruction Memory management requires care! 19

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Things to know Things to know const layout = new gd.Layout(); // ... gd.destroy(layout); // Binded objects need manual destruction Memory management requires care! console.log(layout); // { ptr: 6804120 } 19

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Things to know Things to know const layout = new gd.Layout(); // ... gd.destroy(layout); // Binded objects need manual destruction Memory management requires care! For React: componentDidMount() { this._project = new gd.Project(); } componentWillUnmount() { gd.destroy(this._project); } console.log(layout); // { ptr: 6804120 } Wasm memory The content of gd.Layout 19

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Things to know Things to know const layout = new gd.Layout(); // ... gd.destroy(layout); // Binded objects need manual destruction Memory management requires care! For React: componentDidMount() { this._project = new gd.Project(); } componentWillUnmount() { gd.destroy(this._project); } or use an Effect Hook console.log(layout); // { ptr: 6804120 } Wasm memory The content of gd.Layout 19

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Things to know (2) Things to know (2) 20

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Things to know (2) Things to know (2) Output ﬁles can be large (~3mb for GDevelop), but Output ﬁles can be large (~3mb for GDevelop), but gzip helps. gzip helps. 20

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Things to know (3) Things to know (3) 21

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Things to know (3) Things to know (3) A complete test set is invaluable for ensuring that no errors are in the bindings. 21

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Things to know (3) Things to know (3) A complete test set is invaluable for ensuring that no errors are in the bindings. abort(16). Build with -s ASSERTIONS=1 for more info. 21

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Things to know (3) Things to know (3) A complete test set is invaluable for ensuring that no errors are in the bindings. abort(16). Build with -s ASSERTIONS=1 for more info. What can go wrong? 21

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Things to know (3) Things to know (3) A complete test set is invaluable for ensuring that no errors are in the bindings. abort(16). Build with -s ASSERTIONS=1 for more info. Wrong type for a parameter What can go wrong? 21

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X-platform toolkit (wxWidgets) GUI (windows, dialogs...) Filesystem React.js powered interface Node.js/browser adapters GDevelop C++ codebase Core classes (game, scene, object, textures...) Game exporter (JS "transpiler") libGDevelop.js 22 GDevelop JS codebase

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Creating a complex UI? Creating a complex UI? 23

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Find a component library Find a component library 24

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Find a component library Find a component library Extensive list of high quality components 24

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Find a component library Find a component library Extensive list of high quality components Good theming support 24

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Find a component library Find a component library Extensive list of high quality components Good theming support Accessibility 24

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Find a component library Find a component library Extensive list of high quality components Good theming support Accessibility Documentation quality 24

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Large lists (with drag'n'drop) Large lists (with drag'n'drop) 25

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Virtualized lists Virtualized lists 26

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Virtualized lists Virtualized lists react-sortable-hoc react-virtualized 26

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Virtualized lists Virtualized lists const ObjectRow = () =>

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; const ObjectsList = (props) => props.map(group => ) react-sortable-hoc react-virtualized 26

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Virtualized lists Virtualized lists const ObjectRow = () =>

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; const ObjectsList = (props) => props.map(group => ) const SortableObjectRow = SortableElement(props => ( )); const ObjectsList = (props) => ( { }) /> ); const SortableObjectsList = SortableContainer(ObjectsList); ...} ... react-sortable-hoc react-virtualized 26

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Panels/resizable editors Panels/resizable editors 27

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Use a Use a tiling window library tiling window library 28

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react-mosaic Use a Use a tiling window library tiling window library 28

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Large trees (with drag'n'drop) Large trees (with drag'n'drop) 29

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Virtualization again! Virtualization again! 30

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Virtualization again! Virtualization again! react-sortable-tree 30

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Levels rendering or visualizations Levels rendering or visualizations 31

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Forget the DOM Forget the DOM 32

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Forget the DOM Forget the DOM 32

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Forget the DOM Forget the DOM 32

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Don't forget the DOM Don't forget the DOM 33

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Don't forget the DOM Don't forget the DOM 33

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Don't forget the DOM Don't forget the DOM `${vertex.getX()},${vertex.getY()}` ).join(' ')} /> {vertices.map((vertex, j) => ( ))} 33

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When things aren't fast enough When things aren't fast enough 34

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Proﬁle the rendering Proﬁle the rendering 35

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Proﬁle the rendering Proﬁle the rendering 35

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Proﬁle the rendering Proﬁle the rendering shouldComponentUpdate/memoization is often the answer 35

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Proﬁle the rendering Proﬁle the rendering shouldComponentUpdate/memoization is often the answer Measure performance in production (React development build is way slower) 35

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Inspect calls to WebAssembly Inspect calls to WebAssembly 36

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Inspect calls to WebAssembly Inspect calls to WebAssembly Beware of overhead in binding code/wasm call when calling functions, in particular if renderings 36

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Inspect calls to WebAssembly Inspect calls to WebAssembly Beware of overhead in binding code/wasm call when calling functions, in particular if renderings objects.filter(object => object.getType() !== "") // N wasm calls + string conversion .map(object => object.getVariables(project)); // N wasm calls + string conversion Won't be noticeable in most UI situations, but can be if used in renderings or long lists/trees 36

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When your codebase is growing When your codebase is growing 37

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Stick to your components Stick to your components 38

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Stick to your components Stick to your components Help ☺ ☺ 38

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Stick to your components Stick to your components Help Help ☺ ☺ Avoid custom/adhoc styles, that won't scale: 38

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Stick to your components Stick to your components Help Help ☺ ☺ Avoid custom/adhoc styles, that won't scale: Make a component for it! #DesignSystem 38

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Don't unit test your visual Don't unit test your visual components... components... 39

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Don't unit test your visual Don't unit test your visual components... components... Well actually, do, but only for part where there Well actually, do, but only for part where there is is logic logic 39

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...but create visual stories ...but create visual stories 40

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...but create visual stories ...but create visual stories Storybook React Styleguidist 40

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Use types Use types 41

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Use types Use types Flow Typescript 41

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Use types Use types Will tell you that you (or someone else) forgot to Will tell you that you (or someone else) forgot to pass/remove a prop pass/remove a prop Flow Typescript 41

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Use types Use types Will tell you that you (or someone else) forgot to Will tell you that you (or someone else) forgot to pass/remove a prop pass/remove a prop Flow Typescript Help auto-completion Help auto-completion Avoid most silly (or not so silly) mistakes Avoid most silly (or not so silly) mistakes Help to "document" your objects Help to "document" your objects ... all of these which becomes really useful when you're back on some module you (or someone else) wrote a few months ago 41

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Consider your packaging options Consider your packaging options 43

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Consider your packaging options Consider your packaging options Web app Squoosh.app 43

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Consider your packaging options Consider your packaging options GDevelop Electron Web app Squoosh.app 43

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Consider your packaging options Consider your packaging options GDevelop Electron Web app Embed in a native app Squoosh.app Spotify Steam Chat 43

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Build over Electron APIs Build over Electron APIs 44

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Build over Electron APIs Build over Electron APIs class MaterialUIContextMenu extends React.Component { ... } class ElectronContextMenu extends React.Component { ... } 44

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Build over Electron APIs Build over Electron APIs class MaterialUIContextMenu extends React.Component { ... } class ElectronContextMenu extends React.Component { ... } export default class MaterialUIMenuImplementation { buildFromTemplate(template) { return template.map((item, id) => { if (item.type === 'separator') { return ; } else if (item.type === 'checkbox') { return ( } else { return ( } } showMenu() { ... } } 44

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Build over Electron APIs Build over Electron APIs export default class ElectronMenuImplementation { buildFromTemplate(template) { this.menuTemplate = template; return undefined; } showMenu(dimensions) { if (!electron) return; const { Menu } = electron.remote; const browserWindow = electron.remote.getCurrentWindow(); this.menu = Menu.buildFromTemplate(this.menuTemplate); this.menu.popup({ window: browserWindow, x: Math.round(dimensions.left), y: Math.round(dimensions.top + dimensions.height), async: true, // Ensure the UI is not blocked on macOS. }); } } class MaterialUIContextMenu extends React.Component { ... } class ElectronContextMenu extends React.Component { ... } export default class MaterialUIMenuImplementation { buildFromTemplate(template) { return template.map((item, id) => { if (item.type === 'separator') { return ; } else if (item.type === 'checkbox') { return ( } else { return ( } } showMenu() { ... } } 44

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What are users saying? What are users saying? 47

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What are users saying? What are users saying? “ Wow, what a difference a year can make 47

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What are users saying? What are users saying? “ Wow, what a difference a year can make “ Amazing how much easier and streamlined the engine has become 47

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What are users saying? What are users saying? “ Wow, what a difference a year can make “ but I have to admit, once you worked a bit with it, it could be really more productive on many aspects than GD4 “ Amazing how much easier and streamlined the engine has become 47

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“ The The native web app native web app is is better better than the native app than the native app 48

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“ The The native web app native web app is is better better than the native app than the native app Ultra fast iterations, Ultra fast iterations, 48

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“ The The native web app native web app is is better better than the native app than the native app Ultra fast iterations, Ultra fast iterations, ultra ultra fast testing (storybook) fast testing (storybook), near , near perfect cross-platform perfect cross-platform, faster , faster startup time startup time, auto updates, , auto updates, 48

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@FlorianRival @FlorianRival gdevelop-app.com gdevelop-app.com github.com/4ian/GDevelop github.com/4ian/GDevelop Ping me Ping me Check GD Check GD 49

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Thanks! ☺ Thanks! ☺ @FlorianRival @FlorianRival gdevelop-app.com gdevelop-app.com github.com/4ian/GDevelop github.com/4ian/GDevelop Ping me Ping me Check GD Check GD 49