workhorse.js

web workers on crack! (should have called it whitney)

The goal behind workhorse is to simplify messaging between a worker and client interface. It also adopts some concepts from the ServiceWorker spec.

Events

on(event, handler)

var worker = new Workhorse('thing.js');
 
worker.on('wat', function (e) {
  console.log(e.data);
});

off(event, [handler])

// remove all the "wats"
worker.off('wat');

emit(event, [data])

worker.on('wat', function (e) {
  console.log(e.data.message);
});
worker.emit('wat', { message : 'hi!' }); // => "hi!"

once(event, handler)

worker.once('wat', function () {
  console.log('hi!');
});
worker.emit('wat'); // => "hi!"
worker.emit('wat'); // nothin'

post(event, data)

worker.post('wat', { message: 'hi' });

What are the differences between emit and post?

• post sends a message across the wire, this would be the equivilant of postMessage.
• emit triggers any and all event handlers associated with an event. This does not send a message across the wire.

Responding to events

By default web workers offer a very simple messaging system which can get messy quick when a worker potentially has multiple responsibilities.

Rather than wiring up multiple events for a game of ping pong, we should be able to easily respond to an event via the event object.

worker.on('wat', function (event) {
  event.respondWith({
    message: 'Hello!'
  });
});

Recieving responses

So just like the issue of responding to events, how does a client recieve that response without wiring up an additional event? This seems like a fitting place to use promises.

worker.post('wat', { wat: 'wat' })
  .then(function (response) {
    console.log(response.message); // => "Hello!"
  });

Considerations

Things to consider while developing

• There are multiple types of workers (Worker, SharedWorker, etc.)
• It's possible to spin up a worker via port property (worker.port)
• Nothing could probably ever take Whitney in a fist fight