This article is in need of a technical review.
This is an experimental technology
Because this technology's specification has not stabilized, check the compatibility table for the proper prefixes to use in various browsers. Also note that the syntax and behavior of an experimental technology is subject to change in future versions of browsers as the spec changes.
The ServiceWorker interface of the ServiceWorker API provides a reference to a service worker. Multiple browsing contexts (e.g. pages, workers, etc.) can be associated with the same service worker, each through a unique ServiceWorker object.
A ServiceWorker object is available in the ServiceWorkerRegistration.active property, and the ServiceWorkerContainer.controller property — this is a service worker that activated and controlling the page (the service worker has been successfully registered, and the controlled page has been reloaded.)
The ServiceWorker interface is dispatched a set of lifecycle events — install and activate — and functional events including fetch. A ServiceWorker object has an associated ServiceWorker.state, related to its lifecycle.
Properties
The ServiceWorker interface inherits properties from its parent, Worker.
ServiceWorker.scriptURLRead only- Returns the
ServiceWorkerserialized script URL defined as part ofServiceWorkerRegistration. The URL must be on the same origin as the document that registers theServiceWorker. ServiceWorker.stateRead only- Returns the state of the service worker. It returns one of the following values:
installing,installed,activating,activated, orredundant.
Event handlers
ServiceWorker.onstatechangeRead only- An
EventListenerproperty called whenever an event of typestatechangeis fired; it is basically fired anytime theServiceWorker.statechanges.
Methods
The ServiceWorker interface inherits methods from its parent, Worker, with the exception of Worker.terminate — this should not be accessible from service workers.
Examples
This code snippet is from the service worker registration-events sample (live demo). The code listens for any change in the ServiceWorker.state and returns its value.
var serviceWorker;
if (registration.installing) {
serviceWorker = registration.installing;
document.querySelector('#kind').textContent = 'installing';
} else if (registration.waiting) {
serviceWorker = registration.waiting;
document.querySelector('#kind').textContent = 'waiting';
} else if (registration.active) {
serviceWorker = registration.active;
document.querySelector('#kind').textContent = 'active';
}
if (serviceWorker) {
logState(serviceWorker.state);
serviceWorker.addEventListener('statechange', function(e) {
logState(e.target.state);
});
}
Specifications
| Specification | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Service Workers The definition of 'ServiceWorker' in that specification. |
Editor's Draft | Initial definition. |
Browser compatibility
| Feature | Chrome | Firefox (Gecko) | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari (WebKit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic support | 40.0 | 33.0 (33.0) | Not supported | 24 | Not supported |
| Feature | Android | Firefox Mobile (Gecko) | Firefox OS | IE Mobile | Opera Mobile | Safari Mobile | Chrome for Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic support | ? | (Yes) | ? | Not supported | ? | Not supported | ? |