Service Worker | Javascript | PWA
A service worker is a special type of web worker that allows certain tasks to be executed in the background of a web application without these tasks blocking the application’s main thread. Service workers are mainly used to provide features such as push notifications, offline support, and background updates for web applications.
Service workers are written in JavaScript and are installed by the user’s browser after being registered by a web application. Once a service worker is installed, it can perform tasks in the background even if the user has closed the web application or if the user restarts the device.
Service workers are an important technology for building Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which are web applications that look and function like native apps on mobile devices and desktops. PWAs provide users with a smoother and faster experience by using caching technologies and other features provided by service workers.
Related technologies for service workers include web workers, caching APIs, and push APIs. Web Workers allow tasks to be executed in the background without blocking the application’s main thread. Caching APIs allow certain resources of a web application to be stored for offline use. Push APIs allow notifications to be sent to users even when the web application is closed.
BITS experts have deployed service workers in a variety of projects. A selection of case studies and references can be found below.
