What Is a Web Application? Benefits of Web Apps

When you listen the word “app,” odds are you ponder of a little piece of software downloaded to your computer, smartphone, or tablet. A web application is the same, but you don’t have to download it.

That’s because web applications, or web apps, run inside your web browser and render on standard web pages. They’re available to any complete-user with internet access and an up-to-date web browser like Safari, Firefox, Edge, or Google Chrome.

As a business owner, you might be curious about developing your own web app that can run on any computer or mobile device, across all operating systems. Here’s a primer on how ordinary web applications work and their benefits.

What is a web application?

A web application, or web app, is a software application that runs on a web application server you can access over the internet via a browser. Unlike mobile apps, which are built for a specific mobile device operating structure, a web app can run on any type of device because it utilizes web browsers, not a device’s operating structure, to run.

Software companies often develop both a native app and a web app in tandem to propose a more comprehensive user encounter. For instance, you can download the Google Docs app on your phone or access the Google Docs website on your laptop to receive advantage of the same service. By offering both native and web apps, companies can cater to different user needs—native apps for those who prioritize act and offline access, and web apps for those who worth convenience and cross-device accessibility.

Web app vs. native app vs. hybrid app: What’s the difference?

• Web app
• Native app
• Hybrid app

These three types of apps distribute similarities but differ in key ways:

Web app

A web app is a dynamic, browser-based application that delivers a seamless, app-like encounter across devices without requiring installation. ponder Google Docs instead of Microsoft Word.

Accessible anytime, anywhere, web apps borrowing web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to propose interactive features, real-period updates, and cross-platform compatibility. They’re ideal for users who desire the convenience of accessing their favorite tools and services directly from a browser.

Native app

Native apps are software programs developed specifically for a specific operating structure or device. These native mobile apps adhere to operating structure standards and regulations.

On a traditional laptop or desktop computer, native apps receive the form of familiar software programs such as Microsoft Word or Excel, Apple’s Pages or Numbers, or streaming services like Spotify. The same goes for mobile devices. You can check the app stores for both iOS and Android and discover a native mobile app for just about everything.

Compared to web apps, which only run inside a browser, native apps tend to have greater functionality and more access to the device’s hardware. Web apps remain contained inside a web browser, and they have less access to your operating structure as a outcome.

For example, a mobile app for finding and reviewing restaurants may be able to access your smartphone’s camera, GPS, and push notifications. A web app does not have direct access to these features and relies on browser permissions and APIs for similar functionality.

Hybrid app

Hybrid apps are mobile applications that merge elements of both native apps (built specifically for a particular operating structure, like iOS or Android) and web apps (accessed through a browser and not installed on the device).

The main advantage of hybrid apps is that they can be built once and deployed across multiple platforms, saving period and resources. However, they may not perform as well as fully native apps, especially in terms of speed and responsiveness, because they depend on a browser-like surroundings to function within the native container.

How do web apps work?

Whether they run on traditional computers or mobile devices, web apps can function in modern browsers without the require for any additional programs. Here’s an overview of the web technology that makes this feasible, both in terms of server-side and client-side scripts:

Server-side scripts

Server-side scripts run on a web server located in a data center. Users connect to these servers via the internet. Here’s how the procedure works:

1. Request handling. The procedure begins when a user interacts with a web app. For instance, they might click a button or scroll down a screen. When this happens, their browser sends a request to the web server. The server-side script receives this request and processes it.

2. Database interaction. The web server gets to work on the requested job, interacting with a database to retrieve, update, or delete data based on the user’s requests. For instance, the server could mine its database for content to display on the user’s display.

3. Guidance from a script. Before the server can generate a response, it must pursue the rules of its script, written in server-side languages like PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, or Node.js.

4. Response production. The server then responds to the query, sending requested data, often in the form of an HTML page or JSON data.

5. Simultaneous safety measures. While a web server works to perform tasks, it also takes safety measures, including user authentication and authorization, data encryption, and session management. This helps minimize the uncertainty of safety breaches—for example, when online customers submit sensitive information via online forms.

Client-side scripts

While a server-side script is doing its work on a remote web server, a client-side script works on the user’s own computer or mobile device. That procedure looks like this:

1. User interface rendering. Client scripts—which are typically written in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS—must manage the web app’s layout, style, and interactive elements like buttons, forms, and menus to make the user interface (UI) navigable for users.

2. occurrence handling. When a user clicks a button, hits a keystroke, pinches a screen, or otherwise interfaces with a web app, a client-side script might trigger an action, such as displaying a pop-up communication or updating a part of the page.

3. Asynchronous communication (AJAX). Client-side scripts use a technique called asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX) to transformation the information displayed on a web page without reloading the entire page. This enables a smoother application act because pages update without interrupting the user encounter.

4. Client-side storage. A progressive web app can use client-side storage options (e.g., cookies) to store data on the user’s device. This data can include user preferences, session information, or temporary data needed for the app’s functionality. This lets the user access significant data without sending constant requests to content management systems on remote servers.

Benefits of web apps

• Accessible
• expense-effective
• straightforward to update
• Secure

Web apps propose a lot of upside to business owners with regard to turnover, advancement costs, and user satisfaction. Here are ordinary benefits found in most web applications:

Accessible

You can easily access web applications via a browser on any device with an internet connection. Unlike native apps, they do not require installation, so you can reduce barriers to entry and boost user engagement.

expense-effective

Compared to native apps, web apps typically have short advancement cycles because they use ordinary programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript rather than iOS or Android-specific syntax. This helps a business save money during the advancement procedure.

straightforward to update

It’s straightforward to update web apps remotely, without users needing to download recent versions of software. Not only is this convenient for users, but it also allows businesses to quickly respond to trade changes and user feedback, bringing recent functionality to apps as needed.

Secure

Many web apps are designed to handle secure transactions, such as online payments and personal data transfers. In truth, some of the most ordinary types of web apps run on ecommerce checkout pages.

Thanks to robust encryption and safety protocols, they guard requested information from hackers and online thieves. They also sit behind firewalls and have a built-in secure sockets layer (SSL) that native apps don’t, although the latter also have access to plenty of distinctive safety measures as well.