What is this web application and how does it actually differ from any regular website that a man is able to use at the present stage of the World Wide Web development? This article aims to let you know about certain aspects of the web application, describe them in detail, and provide some examples and types of applications. 

 What Is a Web Application?

Technically, a Web Application is a website that works as software where a number of operations can be executed and implemented online. Web application is an application software that does not need to be installed locally and can rather be run off a distant server via a web browser. Web applications are built for communication since users can put and receive data between the browser and the web server. This interaction may consist of entering the site and logging in to an individual’s account or making a payment with one’s credit card. 

How Web Applications Work?

Due to their nature of being run through a network, web applications do not have to be downloaded. Users can access the web application using any web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari, among others. 

To support a web app, a web server, an application server and a database are required. While the Web server handles the request that comes from a client, the application server fulfills the request. Any required data is stored in a database. 

WEB applications are characterized by short development times and comparatively small development teams. The majority of web applications are coded in JavaScript, HTML5 or CSS by developers. These languages are commonly used in client-side programming to help develop an application’s interface. Web development includes the work done on the server-side that later forms the scripts that a web app is to employ. Some of the popular languages that are used on the server side include Python, Java, and Ruby.

Difference Between Web App, Native App & Hybrid App

Native apps are developed to take advantage of specific features of an operative system or hardware like GPS or Camera in the case of a mobile native app. 

Hybrid apps are like web apps, but they are installed on the device like a native app would be. Internal APIs can also be very useful in the sense that hybrid apps are able to use resources from the specific devices on which they are being run. Downloaded native apps can, at times, run in offline mode while on the other hand, hybrid apps cannot. Of course, a hybrid app would have features such as the navigation bar in common because they are basically founded on web apps. The difference between them is given in table: 

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 Advantages of Web Applications 

The Advantage of Web Applications are given below: 

1. Shorter Development Time: Web apps are developed faster than mobile apps. Moreover, applications on the web don’t require approval from app stores and the marketplace.
2. Low Development Cost: It’s possible to develop one site for multiple operating systems. The lack of the necessity to produce different copies of the same product reduces the time that is needed to create web apps more than mobile ones.
3. Availability: Web apps, being accessed through a URL, make it possible for users to be accessed on a variety of devices regardless of operating systems.
4. Properties of Flexibility: The updates can be copied to the server directly. This feature suggests that when modifications to the code base are made, they become immediately visible in the end product.
5. Search Engine Discovery: Web apps appear in Google and other search results; thus, end users can easily locate them.

Disadvantages of Web Applications

The Disadvantage of Web Applications are given below: 

1. No Offline Access: Web apps cannot be accessed when users lack cell or WiFi since they run on the internet.
2. Stability: Currently, the variations of the web browser can cause some problems when running the web apps.
3. Reduced Usability of Native Operations: Generally, web apps are not allowed to explore all functional operations of mobile devices. For instance, it may be marginally more difficult to invoke the location services and the camera.
4. Less Popular Media Awareness: Some people only remember the existence of the App Store and Google Play for applications. Web apps are usually not marketed, and users have no idea there is such a thing as a ‘web app’.

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What is the Difference Between a Website and a Web Application?

Although the terms website and web application are frequently used as synonyms, they can refer to somewhat different things. More often, a website is defined as a group of web pages that are related in some way, are located on the World Wide Web, and may be viewed with web browsers. Web application, on the other hand, is an application software that runs on a web server, and the user interfaces with a web browser. 

There are quite a lot of distinctions between a website and a web application, if one were to draw the line in terms of content in the case of a website, the counterpart in a web application’s context would be interaction with the user. Thus, it can be noticed that web applications inevitably contain much more complexity, both in terms of overall structure and individual functions, compared to static websites.

Web Application Architecture

Web applications are normally developed in layers. The most used design paradigm is a three-tier design that includes a presentation tier (web-based browser), an application tier (server), and a storage tier (database). Specifically, in this system, the presentation layer is charged with transmitting the user data to the application layer, where the data can be worked on in any way possible, including passing the same to the storage layer to be ‘saved for later use. 

Quite often, web applications can become very large. Even in these scenarios, the three-layer architecture may not suffice. This may generate the need to add more layers in order to meet this level of complicated issue management. For example, the incorporation of integration between the application and storage layers can assist in offering a standard gateway to data using which the above application layer can be isolated from all the changes that may be specific to the level of the storage management.

Web Application Alternatives

The web application alternatives are given below:  

Mobile applications: Frequently, mobile applications are developed for a platform, such as an iPhone or Android. However, there is always the ability to build for both, depending on the situation in some scenarios. New mobile applications developed at Designli are generally cross-platform and can be created with Flutter unless there is an indication against it.

Installed Apps: Even though there are many traditional applications out there, many have shifted to become web apps. It is also desirable to evaluate the distinctive features of both, which include web applications and mobile applications. Finally, it is up to you as to what your users need and what functional specification you require, as well as the cost implication.

Functions of Web Applications

Web apps operate in both the business-to-consumer and business-to-business domains since they involve interactive communication between suppliers and consumers. They can be independent or even a part of a big website or a portal. A contact form is a basic type of Web application because a user enters data in the form to subscribe to a business list. Other examples of simple web apps are the shopping cart app and the Content Management System App.

Similar to cloud computing, web apps can interact with any device and can be used for different purposes. They are capable of creating reports and a range of images as well as calculations. To better comprehend what is possible, it is useful to delve into the different types as well as some web application examples. 

Types of Web Applications

The types of web applications are given below: 

1. Static

The one common type of web application is static. The amount of time taken to load static applications is significantly low, making them best suited for specific types of uses. On the other hand, the challenge of updating information is a disadvantage for some applications, as indicated below. While a static web app is ideal for, let’s say, a portfolio site, a dynamic web app would be useful when the site has items that are bought and sold, and the collection changes over time. 

2. Dynamic

In contrast to the static web app, in which the contents of the website remain the same, a dynamic web app displays new and relevant information based on the place, time and user. For instance, the users can search for the latest weather forecasts in a specific region, and the dynamic web app will then obtain the required information from a server. This mostly applies to most web applications that are developed today. 

3. Single-Pages

Moving away from the static-dynamic categorization, web apps can be single-page or multiple-page. Single-page applications work in such a way that they will load all the information of the web app within a single HTML page. Single-page web applications are the best fit for mobile devices in terms of user experience. For instance, an email inbox web app such as Gmail notifies the users to remain on the same page and scroll while new items are loaded onto the same page. 

4. Progressive

Progressive web apps (PWAs) give users the best of both the mobile app and web app experience. PWAs are a cross between the best of both worlds. They provide the feel of a mobile app plus the speed and flexibility of a web app. From the user’s perspective, the utilization of a PWA is almost similar to using a mobile app; however, it comes with the enhanced opportunity to utilize new browser APIs. Progressive web apps (PWAs) give users the best of both the mobile app and web app experience. PWAs are a cross between the best of both worlds. 

5. Portal

A fix is an effective way of categorizing an application, as in a portal web app, users log into a personal account to access various aspects of the application. It’s especially popular in the e-commerce context because it’s really suitable when the company has particular requirements for the customer group. The portal enables a brand to limit the personal web app’s access and display only the needed aspects to a particular user. Another extremely useful case of a portal app is an e-commerce web application.  

Best Web Application Examples

The best web application examples are given below:

• Google Docs
• Netflix
• Trello
• Basecamp
• Microsoft Office
• Uber
• eBay
• Facebook
• Spotify
• Canva
• Airbnb

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Why You Should Consider Building a Web App

You can typically use Web apps to give your users the feel and appearance of a mobile app for both phones and tablets. They also provide cross-device and cross-OS compatibility support with mobile adaptations and applications. Most successful web apps even have an offline mode of working, which, as soon as the connection is regained, starts syncing. They cost less, are more affordable than mobile apps and are thus suitable where the need is not for a built app. If you’re in the process or just thinking of your web app, let me know! 

3sb.io 

 3sb.io is a unique agency that offers premium web application solutions to clients of all sorts for their operation. 3sb.io has professionals and skilful experts, they are well-known for developing customized web applications for their clients to fulfill their needs and purposes. 

It always works hand in hand with the clients such that every project goes as planned without extending the set time or going beyond the set financial plan. 

Curious to know more about what they do to help their clients in creating functional web app solutions? Schedule a free consultation. 

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