Improve package size

[jfaltermeier]

Feature Description:

We should investigate whether we can reduce the installer size.

At first glance, the package already looks pretty minimal, but it still includes source maps. A big portion of the size comes from VSIX extensions, which we can't control.

Overview:

Source Maps:

It might also be worth checking whether we can enable ASAR (see

theia-ide/applications/electron/electron-builder.yml

Line 10 in 1609442

asar: false

). However, we previously had issues with VSIX extensions and executables inside them, so this needs careful testing.

• Remove source maps
• Investigate whether we can enable Asar
• Look for other potential improvements.

[jfaltermeier]

@JonasHelming FYI

[JonasHelming]

@jfaltermeier Are the vsix extensions only built-ins or what do we install by default?

[jfaltermeier]

@jfaltermeier Are the vsix extensions only built-ins or what do we install by default?

It's the built-ins and two for Java support: https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia-ide/blob/master/package.json#L64-L66

[tsmaeder]

Please don't remove source maps without providing an alternative (source maps can point to an internet URI). Otherwise production builds become undebuggable.

[JonasHelming]

@tsmaeder Are the built-ins the exact same as for VS Code?
Also: should we maybe remove Java as a built-in?

[JonasHelming]

@tsmaeder see question above, please

[tsmaeder]

Looks like we're including pretty much the same extensions as they do (they have ~90), but we remove some stuff like github, etc. The only additional stuff I see is the java plugins. In any case, there is no difference that would be really relevant to the size of the package outside of the Java stuff.

[JonasHelming]

@tsmaeder @jfaltermeier Do you remember, why we include Java? I would actually be in favor of removing it.

[jfaltermeier]

We have a small Java example in the Try Now Online Demo and I think we included it because Eclipse Desktop IDE users often are Java users.

[tsmaeder]

I was not involved in that decision, so I don't know the rationale for including it.