What Is A Web Application?

A web application is an interactive application created using web development technologies that users can access through their browsers.

Web applications have typical front-end and backend web development technologies. In theory, web applications are closely related to websites, so web application development and web development share many characteristics.

On the front-end, web application developers use, for example, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. The web application backend could also use the same server-side languages ​​ developers use to build websites like Ruby or Python.

However, web apps work differently on any device than a traditional website.

What Is The Difference Between A Web Application And A Website?

Web applications are designed to be interactive, while the primary purpose is to present information.

Distinguishing one from the other is admittedly tricky, but you will understand why it is essential once you know the difference.

Ironically, learning a little more about mobile development helps me understand more about web application development. For example, do you see the difference between native and hybrid apps?

Native apps are mobile apps specifically designed for the platforms they run. Indeed, to use them, developers must use native technologies: the Swift programming language for iOS or the Java programming language for Android.

The downside to native apps is that companies that develop natively have to create different apps because each app requires a different codebase in its native language.

What are Progressive Web Applications (PWAs)?

Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) are a particular type of relatively modern web application in the digital world. PWAs combine the desirable functions of native and hybrid applications.

Like any web application should be, PWAs reside in a web browser. Users can access PWAs like any website.

However, having a PWA means going through the classic download and installation process users expect from mobile apps. But that’s a good thing, as PWAs can still be available from the user’s device.

The Google Play Store and the Microsoft Stock welcome PWAs to their platform. So a PWA is like a mobile application.

Progressive web apps are launched from a user’s device without opening a web browser and can send push notifications directly to their mobile device. You can also work offline and download in no time.

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Web Applications?

Ultimately, web applications make the development process more manageable. Organizations can bring interactivity to their users without spending the time and resources required to build a mobile app.

Even so, when troubleshooting, it helps to weigh the cons of web application development against the pros.

Advantages Of  Web Applications

First of all, you need to take a closer look at the benefits of web application development. You will find that web applications are a practical option for improving consumers’ user experience who value retention when browsing the internet.

 High portability

Users can access web applications from any device. Do you have a tablet? Can you use a web application? Do you have a smartphone? You can use a web application. A laptop? Even better!

More convenience

No need to download and install web applications. Or, in the case of PWAs, downloading and installing doesn’t mean that the app takes up space on your device.

While smartphones seem to increase your storage space in just steps these days, some people don’t like the abundance of apps or are simply running out of reach.

Easier development

Again, most mobile app developers and web developers are not the same. It’s a shame because if you want the best of both worlds, you still need at least twice the number of developers or at least twice the talent.

Oh, and if you want your mobile app to be available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, two separate apps are required if you opt for a native version.

That means if you want to have a website and mobile app on all platforms, you will need triple the resources.

Disadvantages Of Web Applications

Of course, a list of pros and cons would be meaningless if there were only pros. Of course, there are also downsides to web application development.

Reduced speed

Web apps cannot replace mobile apps and run slower than an app hosted on a local server with all the praise.

PWAs certainly try to mitigate this side effect, but there is no objective evidence that they have managed to eliminate this disadvantage.

 Reduced access

Typically, web applications require Internet access to function properly or, in most cases, to process. While PWAs postpone this writing, the most interactive web apps will be unresponsive when you don’t have a web connection.

Limited functionality

Native technology will always have an advantage over non-native technologies. Because web applications are not native, they do not have the same ability to work effectively with your device’s hardware and operating system.

3 Types Of Web Applications

There are different types of web applications with other behavior depending on how they were create. While all of these types of web applications still use web technologies, they generally fall into the categories of client-side, server-side, or one-way applications.

Client-Side Web Applications

Client-side web applications dominate in front-end development, which means that the user interface (UI) is at the heart of these applications. They tend to prioritize UX and provide a high level of performance to users.

Server-Side Web Applications

Server-side software is synonymous with backend development. Back-end development involves creating databases, servers, application programming interfaces (APIs), and other background processes in an application.

Although server-side applications always display content and user interfaces, the most dynamic code resides on the webserver.

Single Page Apps

A single-page application (SPA) is different from a traditional multi-page application in that new pages are only loaded when a link is clicked. Instead, SPAs have desirable advantages in client-side and server-side applications.

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