As the world of mobile app development continues to evolve, one architecture that has gained significant attention is creating apps that open webpages. In this tutorial, we'll explore how to achieve this using Phonegap Build, a popular framework for building cross-platform mobile apps.
Mobile App Caveat: A Word of Caution
Before diving into the code, it's essential to acknowledge the security concerns and guidelines set by app stores. The primary functionality of your app should not be to drive affiliate traffic or provide a webview of a website not owned or administered by you. Additionally, ensure that your app provides lasting entertainment value or is useful in some way.
Opening and Closing URLs: A Technical Overview
To show an external webpage in an iframe, we'll use HTML and JavaScript. The code will toggle the iframe using zepto.js, a lightweight jQuery alternative. We'll also use HTML5 buttons to create interactive elements.
The code snippet below demonstrates how to hide and show the external webpage:
`
var isVisible = 0;
$('#toggle').on('click', function() {
console.log("isVisible:" + isVisible);
if (isVisible) {
$('#togglePane').addClass('hide');
isVisible = 0;
} else {
$('#togglePane').removeClass('hide');
isVisible = 1;
}
});
`
Addressing Security Concerns: Whitelisting and App Store Compliance
To appease app stores, we need to use an appropriate whitelist setting. This requires the whitelist plugin and the
In your config.xml file, add the following plugin entry:
`
`
Then, include the necessary
`
`
Note that all the domains listed are required for the external webpage to render correctly. You can extract these domains by examining the source code or opening the "information page" for the webpage.
Finally, set the
`
`
By following these guidelines and implementing the necessary whitelist settings, you'll be well on your way to creating a swift app development project that opens external webpages in iframes. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask in the comments below or join the Google Group for Cordova/Phonegap.