Diálogos y notificaciones
Utilice diálogos nativos para seleccionar archivos, mostrar cuadros de mensaje y enviar notificaciones del sistema, ofreciendo una experiencia coherente y no intrusiva.
Diálogos y notificaciones es una lección gratuita de Electron Desktop App Development en CoddyKit. Esta es la lección 2 de 4. Puedes leer la lección completa abajo gratuitamente — luego la practicas en el navegador con un editor de código integrado y un tutor de IA 24/7. Forma parte de la ruta de aprendizaje de Electron Desktop App Development, y tu progreso se sincroniza en la web y la app de CoddyKit. El curso de Electron Desktop App Development incluye 4 lecciones en total.
Partes de esta lección aún no han sido traducidas y se muestran en inglés.
Bridging Web and Desktop
Welcome to Lesson 2! In this lesson, we'll learn how to make your Electron app feel truly native by interacting with the operating system.
Desktop applications often need to ask users to select files, confirm actions, or provide timely updates. Electron provides dedicated modules for these tasks: Dialogs and Notifications.
Electron's `dialog` Module
The dialog module allows your Electron app to display native system dialogs for opening and saving files, or showing alert messages.
- Native Feel: These dialogs match the look and feel of the user's operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
- Blocking Interaction: Dialogs typically block the application's UI until the user interacts with them.
- Main Process Only: For security and consistency, the
dialogmodule can only be used from the main process.
Selecting Files with `showOpenDialog`
The dialog.showOpenDialog() method lets users select files or directories from their system. It returns a Promise that resolves with the selected paths or indicates if the dialog was canceled.
Key options include:
properties: An array like['openFile', 'multiSelections']to control selection type.filters: An array of objects like{ name: 'Images', extensions: ['jpg', 'png'] }to limit file types.
Code Demo: Open File Dialog
Try running this example. It will launch a simple Electron window and immediately display a native 'Open File' dialog. Select a file and check the console output!
const { app, BrowserWindow, dialog } = require('electron');
const path = require('path');
function createWindow() {
const mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({
width: 600,
height: 400,
webPreferences: {
preload: path.join(__dirname, 'preload.js'),
contextIsolation: true
}
});
mainWindow.loadURL('about:blank'); // Load a blank page
mainWindow.webContents.on('did-finish-load', async () => {
const result = await dialog.showOpenDialog(mainWindow, {
title: 'Select a File',
properties: ['openFile'],
filters: [
{ name: 'Text Files', extensions: ['txt'] },
{ name: 'All Files', extensions: ['*'] }
]
});
if (!result.canceled) {
console.log('Selected file:', result.filePaths[0]);
} else {
console.log('File selection canceled.');
}
});
}
app.whenReady().then(() => {
createWindow();
app.on('activate', () => {
if (BrowserWindow.getAllWindows().length === 0) {
createWindow();
}
});
});
app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
if (process.platform !== 'darwin') {
app.quit();
}
});Saving User Data with `showSaveDialog`
When your app needs to save user-generated content, dialog.showSaveDialog() is your go-to. It prompts the user for a location and filename to save a file.
Useful options include:
defaultPath: A suggested path or filename (e.g.,app.getPath('documents') + '/untitled.txt').filters: Similar toshowOpenDialog, to suggest file types.
The dialog returns the chosen file path, or undefined if canceled.
const { app, BrowserWindow, dialog } = require('electron');
const path = require('path');
function createWindow() {
const mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({ width: 600, height: 400 });
mainWindow.loadURL('about:blank');
mainWindow.webContents.on('did-finish-load', async () => {
const result = await dialog.showSaveDialog(mainWindow, {
title: 'Save Your File',
defaultPath: app.getPath('documents') + '/my_document.txt',
filters: [
{ name: 'Text Files', extensions: ['txt'] },
{ name: 'All Files', extensions: ['*'] }
]
});
if (!result.canceled) {
console.log('File will be saved to:', result.filePath);
// In a real app, you'd write content to result.filePath here
} else {
console.log('Save operation canceled.');
}
});
}
app.whenReady().then(createWindow);
app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
if (process.platform !== 'darwin') app.quit();
});Alerting Users with `showMessageBox`
For general alerts, confirmations, or error messages, use dialog.showMessageBox(). This displays a native message box with customizable buttons and text.
Key options:
type: 'none', 'info', 'warning', 'error', 'question'.buttons: An array of button labels (e.g.,['Save', 'Discard', 'Cancel']).message: The main message text.detail: Additional, more detailed information.
It returns the index of the button clicked by the user.
const { app, BrowserWindow, dialog } = require('electron');
const path = require('path');
function createWindow() {
const mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({ width: 600, height: 400 });
mainWindow.loadURL('about:blank');
mainWindow.webContents.on('did-finish-load', async () => {
const result = await dialog.showMessageBox(mainWindow, {
type: 'question',
title: 'Exit Application',
message: 'Do you want to save your changes?',
detail: 'Unsaved changes will be lost if you proceed without saving.',
buttons: ['Save', 'Discard', 'Cancel'],
defaultId: 0,
cancelId: 2
});
if (result.response === 0) {
console.log('User chose to Save.');
} else if (result.response === 1) {
console.log('User chose to Discard.');
} else {
console.log('User chose to Cancel.');
}
});
}
app.whenReady().then(createWindow);
app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
if (process.platform !== 'darwin') app.quit();
});System Notifications with `Notification`
While dialogs demand immediate attention, the Notification module provides a non-intrusive way to inform users about events. These appear in the operating system's notification center.
- Non-Blocking: Notifications don't interrupt the user's workflow.
- Timely Info: Ideal for background task completion, new messages, or status updates.
- Main or Renderer: Can be used from both processes.
Sending a Simple Notification
Sending a notification is straightforward. You create a new Notification instance and call its show() method.
Common options include:
title: The main title of the notification.body: The detailed text content.icon: An optional path to an image icon.
It's good practice to check Notification.isSupported() before attempting to show a notification.
const { app, BrowserWindow, Notification } = require('electron');
const path = require('path');
function createWindow() {
const mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({ width: 600, height: 400 });
mainWindow.loadURL('about:blank');
mainWindow.webContents.on('did-finish-load', () => {
if (Notification.isSupported()) {
new Notification({
title: 'Electron App Update',
body: 'A new version is available! Click to install.',
// icon: path.join(__dirname, 'icon.png') // Optional
}).show();
console.log('Notification sent!');
} else {
console.log('Notifications are not supported on this system.');
}
});
}
app.whenReady().then(createWindow);
app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
if (process.platform !== 'darwin') app.quit();
});Interactive Notifications
Notifications can be more than just static messages. You can add interactivity by listening for events like click or close. This allows users to take action directly from the notification itself.
For example, clicking a 'New Message' notification could bring the app window to the foreground or open a specific chat.
const { app, BrowserWindow, Notification } = require('electron');
const path = require('path');
function createWindow() {
const mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({ width: 600, height: 400 });
mainWindow.loadURL('about:blank');
mainWindow.webContents.on('did-finish-load', () => {
if (Notification.isSupported()) {
const myNotification = new Notification({
title: 'New Message!',
body: 'You have 3 unread messages.',
silent: false // Play a sound
});
myNotification.on('click', () => {
console.log('Notification clicked! Opening messages...');
mainWindow.show(); // Bring the window to front
});
myNotification.show();
console.log('Interactive notification sent.');
} else {
console.log('Notifications not supported.');
}
});
}
app.whenReady().then(createWindow);
app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
if (process.platform !== 'darwin') app.quit();
});Dialogs vs. Notifications: When to Use Which?
Choosing between a dialog and a notification depends on the urgency and required user interaction:
- Dialogs: Use for critical information, user input (file selection, save location), or actions that block the app until resolved. They demand immediate attention.
- Notifications: Use for non-critical, time-sensitive information that doesn't require immediate action. They inform without interrupting the user's flow.
Always aim for a seamless and intuitive user experience by selecting the appropriate interaction method.
Quick Check: Dialogs or Notifications?
Which of the following scenarios are best suited for using Electron's dialog module? Select all that apply.
Recap & Next Steps
Great job! You've learned how to interact with the native operating system using Electron's dialog and Notification modules.
dialog: For critical, blocking interactions like file selection, saving, and message boxes. Only in the main process.Notification: For non-blocking, informative alerts that appear in the system notification center. Can be used in both processes.
Mastering these features helps your Electron app feel truly integrated into the user's desktop environment. Next up, we'll explore how to open external links and files using the shell module!
Preguntas frecuentes
¿La lección «Diálogos y notificaciones» es gratis?
Sí — el texto completo de «Diálogos y notificaciones» es gratis para leer aquí en la web. Para practicarla de forma interactiva (editor de código integrado y tutor de IA 24/7) y desbloquear el resto del curso de Electron Desktop App Development, actualiza a CoddyKit PRO. El curso de Electron Desktop App Development incluye 4 lecciones en total.
¿Qué aprenderé en «Diálogos y notificaciones»?
Utilice diálogos nativos para seleccionar archivos, mostrar cuadros de mensaje y enviar notificaciones del sistema, ofreciendo una experiencia coherente y no intrusiva. Practicas Electron Desktop App Development con código real que ejecutas directamente en el navegador, y un tutor de IA 24/7 responde tus preguntas mientras trabajas en la lección.
¿Necesito experiencia previa para empezar Electron Desktop App Development?
No se requiere experiencia previa. Electron Desktop App Development en CoddyKit está estructurado para principiantes hasta estudiantes avanzados, así que puedes empezar aquí o desde el inicio y avanzar a tu ritmo. Esta es la lección 2 de 4.
¿Cuánto tiempo toma la lección «Diálogos y notificaciones»?
La mayoría de las lecciones de CoddyKit toman alrededor de 5–10 minutos. Cada una es compacta e interactiva, así que avanzas constantemente y retomas exactamente por donde dejaste en la web y la app.
¿Puedo escribir y ejecutar código en esta lección de Electron Desktop App Development?
Sí. Cada lección de Electron Desktop App Development incluye un editor de código integrado, así que escribes y ejecutas código real directamente en tu navegador y obtienes retroalimentación instantánea de IA — sin configuración local necesaria.
Todas las lecciones de este curso
- Menús nativos y menús contextuales
- Diálogos y notificaciones
- Integración con el shell
- Atajos globales y acceso al portapapeles