Simulated Web Workers Interface

Web Workers for IEs and Mobile Safari.

Original author: Timothy Chien <[email protected]>

What it does

This script creates a Worker interface for browsers without it. When you create a instance of it, it opens up an IFRAME, prepare the necessary functions, inject your script into it, and listened to worker.postMessage() issued and process onmessage event just like a native Worker.

What it doesn't do

The script doesn't do the magic of taking the task background. Executions still block UI, and like any other foreground functions they are subjected to runaway timer imposed by the browser. Due to the reason addressed above, not all worker programs are suitable to use simulated worker.

For a long complication, you could modify the loop using setTimeout(function () { ... }, 0); to prevent UI blocking.

Please check the testcases' code for example.

Usage

Same as the native Web Workers, except a few things to note:

1. Before initializing, set the path of IFRAME page that used to crate the worker scope at window.Worker.iframeURI.
2. The path of script for the native Web Workers is relative to the document URL. Set window.Worker.baseURI to tell IFRAME where to find your script.
3. Native Web Workers will be recycled automatically, simulated Worker lived in IFRAME that can only be removed by executing worker.terminate() explicitly when you finish using Worker.
4. IEs doesn't allow overwritten of window.postMessage(), so for a worker script to work in both native worker and simulated in IE, create a new variable at the very top of the worker script that points to the correct function: var send = (typeof workerPostMessage !== 'undefined')?workerPostMessage:postMessage; and use send() instead of postMessage() within the script.