The operations and benefits of web applications
The web application is a computer program that uses a web browser to perform a particular function. A simple example for the web apps is a contact form on a website. The web app is a client-server program which has a client-side and a server-side. The term “client” refers to the program which the individual uses to run the application. For example, in the case of a database, the client is the program through which the user enters data and the server is the application that stores the information. The users can interact with the business using shopping carts or content management system thanks to the web application. Individuals need web apps to facilitate their communication or purchase things online. Companies need web apps for their employees to work on shared documents such as reports, files and information.
The web application has many benefits, including:
1- It is no need to install on the hard drive therefore there are no space limitations.
2- Web apps require less support from the business and lower technical requirements from the user’s computer.
3- The web apps reduce the costs in general.
4- Web apps are always up to date because updates are applied centrally.
5- The compatibility issues are over because all users access the same version.
6- Web apps are accessed anywhere with a web browser.
7- As long as the browser is compatible, web apps can run on multiple platforms regardless of the used operating system.
8- Web apps reduce software piracy in subscription-based web applications.
Examples of web applications include webmail, word processors, spreadsheets, video and photo editing, file conversion and file scanning. The popular email programs like Yahoo and Gmail and instant messaging services are web applications too.
There are three elements which the web app requires to function: a webserver to handle requests from the client, an application server to execute the tasks requested and a database to store the information.
The web applications evolve to answer the increasing need for mobile web use. An example of this evolution is the Dropbox app or Facebook app on your phone or tablet. However, web apps are different than native apps but some apps combine the two features: the web apps and native apps. The hybrid apps work like web apps but you have to install them on your device like native apps and the hybrid apps also use device-specific resources to their advantage. Unlike native apps, web apps and hybrid apps do not operate without an internet connection. There are three elements which the web app requires to function: a webserver to handle requests from the client, an application server to execute the tasks requested and a database to store the information.
The web application uses a combination of server-side script and client-side script to function. The server-side script deals with storing and retrieving the information and requires languages like Python and Java. The client-side script requires languages like Javascript, Cascaded Style Sheet (CSS) and HTML5 which rely on the browser to execute the program.
The web application works as follow:
1. The user creates a request to the webserver through the application’s user interface over the internet.
2. The web server sends this request to the web application server.
3. The web application server executes the requested task and generates the results.
4. Those results are sent back from the web application server to the webserver.
5. The web server carries the requested information to the client (tablet, mobile device or laptop)
6. The requested information appears on the user’s display.