Embrace Modern Technology: Using HTML 5 for GUI in C++
summary
Argues that HTML5 can serve as a native C++ GUI and demonstrates three concrete approaches: a local HTTP server with WebSockets using libraries like Boost.Beast (demo: WebSocket echo and a localhost file browser that reconnects), embedding Chromium/WebKit via CEF/Electron with C++↔JavaScript bindings (uses jsbind; demo: single-binary file browser and remote devtools), and custom renderers (Ultralight/Coherent) including an off-screen OpenGL with HTML overlay example. Shows it works but notes sandboxing, IPC overhead, Chromium memory cost, and workflow tradeoffs.
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chapters (7)
- 0:00Introduction and motivation
- 10:10HTML5 as GUI framework
- 17:53Local HTTP server approach
- 27:15Embedding browser in C++
- 42:54Custom rendering and WebGL
- 51:42Custom HTML renderers
- 54:54Q&A and demos








