The team behind the AppJet project have announced that they are discontinuing their free hosting service with effect on 1 July 2009. The company will continue to focus on their Etherpad collaborative online word processor.
AppJet is a platform that allows developers to create server-side web-based applications in the browser. The company’s founders included two ex-Google engineers and the service was launched as a public beta in December 2007. It offered:
- free application hosting and storage
- an online IDE
- custom domain names
- beginner tutorials, example libraries, and a support forum
We were sick of all the hassle of setting up servers, configuring apache, installing MySQL and php and mod_whatever, just to get a simple web app online. So we largely did this [AppJet] for ourselves so we could whip up little apps faster. We also think it would be great if it were EASIER to write a web app than a desktop app. This would change things: if you’re going to write a simple computer program, then instead of writing it on your desktop and not sharing it with anyone, you could make it a web app and other people can benefit.The company’s announcement on 1 June states that Etherpad was intended to be a technology showcase for Appjet, but it became more important than the platform itself and they received hundreds of requests for professional versions. The company decided to divert their resources and remove support for the AppJet hosting service. The company is providing advice and files for developers who want to keep their AppJet applications. Unfortunately, hosting files elsewhere is likely to involve considerable effort and, in some cases, a dedicated or virtual private server. Whilst the AppJet platform may not have been used by a significant number of developers, this news does not bode well for the future of coding in the cloud. How can business owners rely on bespoke online platforms when that service could be withdrawn at any time? Have you written AppJet applications? How will this announcement affect you?
Frequently Asked Questions about AppJet
What was the purpose of AppJet?
AppJet was an online programming tool for building simple web applications. It was designed to make it easy for anyone to write software, even if they didn’t have a background in computer science. The platform provided a real-time collaborative editing environment, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously. It was a unique tool that combined the power of server-side JavaScript with the simplicity of HTML to create dynamic web applications.
Why was AppJet discontinued?
AppJet was discontinued because the company was acquired by Google in December 2009. The team behind AppJet was integrated into Google to work on the development of Google Wave, a now-discontinued collaborative real-time editing tool. As a result, AppJet was no longer maintained or supported.
What is the difference between AppJet and AppJet.cc?
AppJet and AppJet.cc are not the same. AppJet was a web-based JavaScript IDE, while AppJet.cc is a website that offers various software downloads. It’s important to note that AppJet.cc is not affiliated with the original AppJet platform or Google.
Is AppJet.cc safe to use?
There are mixed reviews about the safety of AppJet.cc. Some users have reported that the site offers legitimate software downloads, while others have raised concerns about potential malware or scams. It’s always recommended to use caution when downloading software from any website, and to use trusted sources whenever possible.
What happened to the projects hosted on AppJet?
When AppJet was discontinued, users were given a period of time to export their projects and data. After this period, all data was deleted and is no longer accessible. It’s unclear if any of the projects hosted on AppJet were migrated to other platforms.
Are there any alternatives to AppJet?
Yes, there are several alternatives to AppJet. These include other online programming tools and IDEs such as Glitch, Repl.it, and CodePen. These platforms offer similar features to AppJet, including real-time collaborative editing and the ability to build and host web applications.
Can I still access the AppJet source code?
No, the AppJet source code is no longer publicly available. After the acquisition by Google, the AppJet platform was discontinued and its source code was not released.
What was the technology behind AppJet?
AppJet was built using a combination of server-side JavaScript and HTML. It provided a real-time collaborative editing environment, which allowed multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously.
Why was AppJet popular?
AppJet was popular because it made it easy for anyone to write software, even if they didn’t have a background in computer science. Its real-time collaborative editing environment was also a unique feature that set it apart from other online programming tools.
What impact did AppJet have on web development?
AppJet was one of the early pioneers of online programming tools, and it helped to pave the way for the many web-based IDEs and coding platforms that we see today. Its focus on simplicity and collaboration has influenced the design of many modern development tools.
Craig BucklerCraig is a freelance UK web consultant who built his first page for IE2.0 in 1995. Since that time he's been advocating standards, accessibility, and best-practice HTML5 techniques. He's created enterprise specifications, websites and online applications for companies and organisations including the UK Parliament, the European Parliament, the Department of Energy & Climate Change, Microsoft, and more. He's written more than 1,000 articles for SitePoint and you can find him @craigbuckler.
