Support livereload for `ionic cordova run browser`

origin: https://github.com/ionic-team/ionic-cli/issues/3036 and https://github.com/ionic-team/ionic-cli/issues/3036#issuecomment-376662587

We can inject all the Cordova www assets into the livereload dev server, providing a nice experience for developing mobile apps in ionic serve.

📝 Note: for developing cross-platform apps (attempting to target mobile AND desktop), I still highly recommend not using the Cordova browser platform. My reasoning is here: https://github.com/ionic-team/ionic-cli/issues/2312#issuecomment-365732607

[imhoffd]

Just leaving a super quick note: This may be possible in CLI 4/Ionic 4 by running the following:

ionic serve --cordova --platform browser

(untested)

[iva2k]

These two arguments are given against:

ionic serve doing anything with the Cordova Browser platform would be really unexpected and confusing.

The basic argument against the browser platform is that is pretty much an unkown

… are not to the point and have nothing to do with Ionic mission.

I see a huge value in having Cordova in ionic serve.

At a minimum, it is only consistent with Ionic being built on top of Cordova, and having parity for all Cordova platforms, regardless of their current state. I’m sure no one will be confused if ionic serve supports Cordova with --cordova option.

Next, browser support in Cordova will be improving with time. And it is known to some people. It is only a matter of more contributions to browser platform in Cordova, as browsers these days support a lot of native functions like camera.

Having Ionic fully support all Cordova platforms, including browser, will give it a boost and stimulate further development.

Trying to patch Cordova’s static server with livereload is futile, why waste energy there? ionic serve --cordova is very logical, consistent and desirable. The ones who are against it, can simply avoid adding --cordova to their ionic serve, like they were always doing.

I see the future when developing for all platforms will be possible in a single environment. And I believe Microsoft won’t be it. ionic serve --cordova is one little step towards this.